Which Podcast Genre Should You Choose for Your Podcast?

When it comes to starting your own podcast, the type of podcast you decide to do matters. After all, if you want to appeal to podcast listeners and get lots of downloads, you’re going to want to pick a popular podcast genre. At the same time, however, you must ensure that you’ll be able to consistently produce quality audio content.

Your chosen podcast genre and podcast format can go a long way in helping you grow your audience to the point where you can join a podcast network or achieve major sponsorships from relevant advertisers.

So which podcast genre is right for you? Here’s a closer look at some of the top genres and formats, as well as some tips to help you figure out which one you should try.

Understanding Different Podcast Formats

Among the top podcast genres, there are several formats that could be used to deliver audio content to your audience. Some of the most common podcast formats include:

• Interview podcasts: In the interview format, the host asks questions to a guest, who is usually an expert on the topic of the episode. The guest provides most of the content, while the host serves as more of a guide for the conversation, making this a popular format. Guests with a strong following can also help new audiences discover your show.
• Monologue podcasts: Monologue podcasts are produced entirely by a single individual. The host does all of the talking — they don’t have guests or co-hosts. As such, they must be able to talk for extended periods in an engaging manner about their chosen topic.
• Conversational podcasts: These podcasts feature co-hosts who talk to each other about the selected topic, sharing opinions, stories, education, and insights. Co-hosts often split responsibilities, with each host being primarily responsible for a different portion of the show. Some feature a larger panel discussion with four or five panelists who appear on each episode.
• Storytelling: These podcasts often use a larger group of individuals that serve as the actors for the different characters for a fictional podcast. These podcasts may also incorporate music or sound effects for added dramatic effect. Of course, a single narrator could also utilize this format in a manner similar to an audiobook.

7 Most Popular Podcast Genres

There are several different types of podcasts, each of which appeal to different demographics. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular genres with podcast consumers:

• True crime: True crime podcasts like “Serial” or “Anatomy of a Murder” are incredibly popular. These nonfiction podcasts take a deep dive into true stories surrounding criminal events. Some of these podcasts are investigative in nature, seeking to uncover new details about criminal cases, while others focus on sharing the generally accepted real-life account.
• News podcasts: Twenty-three percent of Americans get news from podcasts at least some of the time. News podcasts can focus on current events in a manner similar to traditional news programs, or they might focus on a specific “genre” of news, such as politics or sports. Many news podcasts also incorporate the host’s commentary on these events. They may also use repurposed content, such as audio clips from other interviews or events.
• Comedy podcasts: Comedy has consistently been the most popular podcast genre — after all, people love to laugh. Comedy could run the gamut of humorous conversations and skits to stand-up style routines. Even podcasts that aren’t strictly comedic will often try to incorporate humor to better appeal to their target audience.

• Fiction podcasts: Also known as narrative podcasts, these podcasts tell a fictional story over the course of several podcast episodes. The story could be dramatic or comedic, starring a whole cast of characters or read by a single narrator. After the completion of a story, these podcasts will usually start a new “season” with a new story.
• Society and culture: We love celebrities — so it should be no surprise that podcasts focused on celebrity news, scandals, and relationships are a popular podcast fixture. This podcast genre also includes podcasts that are hosted by celebrities and other influencers, where they talk about their lives, current events, and other topics. 
• Pop culture: In a time when brands like Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe dominate our daily conversations, podcasts focused on movies, TV shows, music and even comic books are a popular fixture in the podcast world. Industry news, interviews with actors and creators, reviews, and previews are all popular features in these podcasts. 
• Video game: Video game podcasts are also worth mentioning as their own distinct sub-genre within pop culture podcasts due to their popularity and the sheer number of podcasts on the topic. These podcasts could include the latest gaming news, previews of upcoming releases, reviews of new games, and behind-the-scenes stories of the creation of popular games.

How to Pick the Right Podcast Genre

A great podcast starts by choosing the genre and format that will give you the greatest chances for success. When deciding which podcast genre would be a good fit for you, consider these important factors.

Survey Your Own Knowledge and Interests

If you’re going to produce a weekly podcast, you’re going to need a lot to talk about! Unsurprisingly, this will be a lot easier if you choose a topic that naturally interests you and that you already have a strong knowledge base in.

Sure, true crime may be a popular podcast genre. But if you have no knowledge of or interest in true crime, it will affect the quality of your content. Podcast audiences can tell the difference between an expert and an imitator, and will quickly abandon your show.

On the other hand, when you choose a specific topic you’re passionate about, you’ll have a much easier time sharing your unique insights and perspectives in a way that will appeal to your target audience.

Decide on a Solo Podcast or Having a Co-Host

While it is easy to get set up for doing a monologue podcast, having a co-host or regular guests can make it much easier to consistently create engaging content. Of course, getting a co-host or guests for your show will require ongoing networking. You’ll need to coordinate schedules and topics of conversation, which can sometimes result in a lengthier production process.

There’s no right or wrong answer as to whether you’ll do solo podcast hosting or have guests or co-hosts. But this is something you’ll want to figure out before you start your show, as it will greatly influence your format and how you discuss your content.

Know Your Recording and Editing Capabilities

You can start a podcast with relatively basic recording equipment and editing software. And if you just need to record yourself (and maybe a guest) speaking into a microphone, basic equipment will probably be fine!

However, for something like a storytelling podcast that involves a large cast, music, and sound effects, you’ll need more advanced editing software and a better recording space. Adding sound effects, choosing the best takes from your voice actors, and other similar tasks will require much more time, expense, and editing know-how.

Understand Your Competition

Finding a unique niche or angle can make all the difference in standing out to your potential podcast audience. Before you dive into a chosen topic, take a look at what other popular podcasts are already doing in that niche. What’s something that you can do differently? Perhaps you can focus on a subtopic with less competition, or approach a topic with a different format than is used by most others in that niche.

Regardless of how you choose to differentiate yourself, make sure that your chosen topic and format is still broad enough that you can produce content well into the future. You don’t want to find yourself running out of ideas for new episodes after just a few months!

Laying Foundations for Success

While there is more to creating a successful podcast than choosing the right podcast genre and format, there’s no denying that this is an important first step. By understanding which genres are most popular and which options are the best fit for your skills and interests, you’ll be better equipped to start developing engaging content for your own podcast episodes.

Are you a podcaster creating great content? Connecting with relevant brands can go a long way in helping you monetize your content — and Castr can help. Our platform helps create mutually beneficial relationships between partner shows and brands so you can achieve lasting success. Contact us today to learn more.