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The evolution of podcasting: audio, video or both?
Podcasting has evolved rapidly over the past few years, with video podcasting taking an increasingly prominent role. While audio has been the standard for years, we’re now seeing a clear shift towards video. But does this mean everyone should switch to video?
Lisa Roozen
February 14, 2025
Or does audio still hold its ground as a valuable, standalone option? At Springcast PRO, we believe the choice between audio and video isn’t black and white—it depends on your strategy, audience, and goals.
Table of Contents
Why Video Podcasting Is Gaining Ground
Video podcasting offers advantages that appeal to many brands and creators. According to a Riverside.fm report, 84% of businesses believe video will be a crucial part of their podcast strategy in the near future.
Key benefits of video podcasting:
Better Discoverability: YouTube has become the largest distribution platform for videos, making video content easier to find than audio-only shows.
Higher Engagement: Spotify reports that nearly two-thirds of their listeners prefer podcasts with a visual component.
New Revenue Opportunities: Platforms like YouTube and Spotify are introducing more options for advertising and sponsorship revenue through video.
However, video podcasting isn’t the right choice for everyone. Many podcasters worry about increased production costs and the reliance on large platforms like YouTube, which frequently update their algorithms.
Why Audio Remains Powerful
Despite the growing popularity of video, audio remains a powerful and effective medium. Podcasts are often consumed during activities where video isn't an option, such as driving or exercising. Moreover, audio offers an intimate listening experience that's hard to replicate with video.
Why audio-only is still relevant:
Simple Production: Lower costs and less technical complexity make audio more accessible for smaller creators.
Listener Flexibility: Podcasts can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere, without the need for a screen.
Authentic Experience: Many creators and listeners find audio more intimate and less distracting than video.
"The discussion about the rise of video podcasting is also gaining traction internationally. The article Will Video Kill the Audio Star in 2025? clearly outlines how the industry is grappling with the balance between video and audio. We believe the real strength lies in finding a strategy that fits your brand—whether that’s audio, video, or a smart combination of both."
Additionally, not all podcast formats are suitable for video. Narrative and journalistic podcasts often don’t translate well into a visual format.
Trends in Video Podcasting
Whether you choose audio or video, here are some trends you can't ignore:
1. The Rise of Short-Form Content
Spotify and Riverside.fm highlight that short, snackable content on social media platforms is one of the most effective ways to reach and grow your audience.
2. AI-Driven Production and Distribution
AI is increasingly automating tasks like captioning, content editing, and distribution, significantly lowering the production barrier for video podcasters.
3. Live Streaming as an Engagement Tool
Live broadcasts are gaining popularity because they allow for real-time interaction with audiences. Platforms like YouTube and LinkedIn are expanding their live podcasting features.
How to Choose Between Audio and Video
At Springcast PRO, we believe there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some questions to help you decide:
Where is your audience? YouTube, Instagram and TikTok attract younger audiences, while audio-only platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts have loyal listeners.
What’s your budget? Video production requires more resources and time compared to an audio-only podcast.
How comfortable are you on camera? Not everyone enjoys being in front of the camera, and that’s perfectly okay.
A hybrid approach—offering both audio and video formats—can be a smart solution. You can use audio for traditional podcast platforms and video for marketing and social media.
Join the conversation
We posed the question on LinkedIn: where are video podcasts being watched? Should podcasters focus more on video, or do audio-first podcasts still lead the way?
Check out the interesting responses:
Smart Video Podcasting Strategies for Social Media
Video podcasting doesn’t mean you have to record and distribute full episodes in video format. For many podcasters, it’s smarter to keep their audio-only podcast while using video as a marketing tool. This way, you get the best of both worlds: maintaining the power of audio while leveraging video’s visual impact on social media.
Why Video Snippets Work
More podcasters are creating short-form videos, featuring highlights from their episodes. These snippets are easily shareable on platforms like:
LinkedIn & Twitter/X: Ideal for professional and business podcasts.
Instagram Reels & TikTok: Perfect for younger audiences and viral content.
YouTube Shorts & Facebook: Reach a broad audience with short, impactful clips.
With this approach, your core content remains audio-only, while still benefiting from the engagement video offers. No need to edit and upload full episodes, yet you maintain visibility on visual platforms.
Springcast PRO allows you to host your audio podcast centrally while giving you the flexibility to decide where and how to use video. You can:
Distribute your podcast widely to all major audio platforms without compromising your format.
Create and share your own video snippets on social media without fully migrating to a video platform.
Maintain control over your content and data, free from the algorithms of YouTube or TikTok.
This hybrid strategy makes it easy to leverage video content without becoming a full-time video producer.
Maximize Your Content Distribution
Whether you choose audio or video, a solid distribution strategy is key to reaching the right audience. Here are some tips:
Multichannel Approach: Distribute your podcast on different platforms like to maximize reach.
SEO Optimization: Use relevant keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags to improve podcast discoverability.
Social Media Snippets: Share short clips on social media to make your content more accessible and attract new listeners.
Springcast PRO & Video Podcasting: The Power of an Integrated Approach
Many podcasters feel pressured to make their content available on video platforms like YouTube and Spotify. But does this mean you have to rely entirely on these platforms? Absolutely not. For example: Springcast PRO offers a solution where you maintain control over your content while still benefiting from video.
Springcast PRO as your podcast hub
Springcast PRO is primarily an audio-first platform but offers smart integrations that allow you to use video without making your podcast strategy dependent on YouTube or Spotify. This means you can:
Publish your podcast with audio and video on Spotify without permanently losing your audio file. The original audio remains available on other podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Podimo and Pocket Casts.
Submit your podcast to YouTube and YouTube Music via the Springcast PRO RSS feed, with new episodes added automatically. YouTube generates a static video of your podcast episode, or you can upload your own video directly.
Retain full control over management and distribution. Hosting through Springcast PRO keeps you in charge of your content, free from the shifting algorithms and policies of major video platforms.
Springcast PRO offers:
✅ Flexibility: Choose when and where to use video without disrupting your audio strategy.
✅ Dutch Hosting: Your audio is securely stored in GDPR-compliant servers in the Netherlands, important for businesses and government organizations with strict privacy requirements.
✅ Optimized Distribution: Your podcast remains widely available on all major audio and video platforms, without being tied to a single ecosystem.
Want to know how to add videos to Spotify and YouTube while hosting with Springcast PRO? Check out our knowledge base articles:
Conclusion
Video podcasting offers many opportunities, but it’s not a must-have for everyone. The power of audio remains undeniable, and depending on your goals and audience, focusing on audio might be the right choice. At Springcast PRO, we recommend choosing a strategy that best fits your brand and message.
Whether you choose audio, video, or a combination of both, it’s all about creating valuable content and building a strong connection with your audience.
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