Podcasts help stay up-to-date, get entertained or just learn new things. But if you're new to podcasting, it can be a little confusing figuring out how to listen to them. Don't worry, though; we're here to help! We will tell you how to listen to podcasts on your computer, phone, or tablet. So if you're just getting started here are some valuable tips to get the most out of your podcast listening experience.
How to find podcasts?
Generally, there are two options to find podcasts that best fit your taste.
Podcasters usually publish their show in podcast directories or on their personal websites. So, it’s best to search for your perfect show in one of those two places.
If you know what you want to listen to
If you know what you want to listen to, meaning, if you researched podcasters in your favorite niche or have a favorite host, you'd better look whether the podcast has its official website. If that's the case, subscribe to your favorite show and listen to new episodes straight from the official website.
We encourage it since podcast websites give listeners a lot more than simply a smooth listening experience. Websites are communities, where you may even have the chance to directly communicate with the host and access a variety of additional features that you won't find in podcast directories.
So, if you have a favorite podcast, Google its name to check whether it has a website. If you're just sure about the industry or topic that interests you, search for [industry + podcast] to find the top podcasters of the specific field.
By the way, we have previously collected some podcasts playlists on different topics. You can quickly skim through them. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your favorite podcast here!
- Christmas podcasts
- Political podcasts
- Finance podcasts
- Gaming podcasts
- Scary podcasts
- Entrepreneur podcasts
- Tech podcasts
If you don't know what you want to listen to
If you don't have specific preferences and are just, in general, interested in podcasts, podcast directories are a better choice for you.
A podcast directory is a platform where most of the podcasts get submitted. Usually, podcast directories have the shows categorized so that it's easier for a new listener to find their niche.
Let's figure out what’s the best podcasting platform together!
How to listen to a podcast on a Smartphone?
Most of us are always with our phones and earbuds, so let's start from here. Both iOS and Android phones have podcast apps built-in, so all you have to do is open their app, pick from the extensive list of shows available, or search for a specific show.
iPhone users have an in-built Apple Podcasts app, which is a leader among the podcasting platforms globally. By activating an Apple Podcast, you can easily play, subscribe to, and download your desired episodes having tons of audio content always at hand.
Our guide on the best, the most popular podcasts of Apple Podcasts will give you a good kickstart. Android users also have a similar app which is Google Podcasts. The app is conveniently designed to help you categorize your favorite podcast episodes and subscribe to any podcast for free. In case you want to find other podcast listening apps on your smartphone, you can pick one from our Top 5 podcast listening apps.
How to listen to a podcast on a laptop?
Most podcast directories have apps both for mobile and desktop. So, if you want to stream your favorite show online, you can do it in a few clicks by just downloading those apps. A pleasant bonus is that your saved and subscribed shows will be in one place once you log in to your account, no matter if you’re using the app on desktop or mobile.
iTunes is one of the most popular podcast apps. As you might guess, it comes by default with Mac, but not with Windows. However, there are still ways you can download iTunes for your Windows computer.
How to listen to a podcast with smart speakers?
What could be better than listening to your favorite podcast while you're getting ready for the day or preparing to get some rest at night? What about using a smart speaker to do it?
They let you play podcasts without having to look at a screen. Plus, they're fun to use - you can ask them questions and even adjust some features of your home using just your voice. So if you're looking for an easy way to listen to more podcasts, a smart speaker is the perfect solution!
If you haven't tried listening to a podcast yet, we recommend giving it a shot. It’s pretty simple no matter which device you prefer. We promise, listening to podcasts will be your favorite part of the day!
