Do Podcasts Need Transcription?

Should You Transcribe Your Podcast? Everything You Need to Know

Podcasts are more popular than ever. But are you doing all you can to reach more listeners? One important step that many podcasters overlook is transcribing each episode. Let’s explore why transcribing your podcast matters and how it can help grow your audience through better search results and accessibility.

What Is a Podcast?

A podcast is a collection of audio episodes. You can stream or download these digital audio files and listen whenever you want. Many shows cover topics like news, health, hobbies, or humor.

Podcast Popularity by the Numbers

• As of January 2021, there are over 43 million podcast episodes (Podcast Insights, 2021).
• Nearly 2 million unique podcast shows exist worldwide.
• Podcast listenership grows fast—weekly listeners in the U.S. have increased by 120% in four years (Edison Research, 2020).
• About 90 million Americans listen to podcasts each month.

Despite all this growth, there’s still room for new and unique podcasts. The key is being found by new listeners. That’s where SEO for podcasts becomes so important.

Why Podcast SEO Matters

SEO stands for “Search Engine Optimization.” It’s the process of making your content easier for people to find through search engines like Google. Without it, even your best episodes may go unnoticed.

SEO Can Help Your Podcast Be Discovered

Most people find podcasts through search. Optimizing your show means you’ll:

• Show up in more search results.
• Reach more interested listeners.
• Compete with established shows.

How Does SEO Work for Podcasts?

SEO can boost your podcast by:

• Helping Google understand your topic and keywords.
• Turning spoken words into text that search engines can read.
• Letting you target relevant subjects and questions people search for.

Benefits of Transcribing Your Podcast for SEO

Transcription is when you take your podcast audio and turn it into written text. This small step can make a big difference. Here’s why:

• Increases Website Traffic: Some SEO agencies report a 15% rise in organic website traffic by adding transcripts (HubSpot, 2021).
• Improves Keyword Reach: Having a text version can bring a 50% keyword lift because search engines can “read” your episode (Moz, 2022).
• Boosts Accessibility: Transcripts allow deaf and hard-of-hearing people to enjoy your content too.
• Makes Skimming Easy: New visitors can read or search the transcript for key topics quickly.
• Enables Reuse: You can turn your transcript into blog posts, social media posts, or even e-books.

Why Rely On High-Quality Transcriptions?

Not all transcripts are created equal. Here are some reasons to choose a professional service over automatic tools:

• AI-based automated transcription may miss words or context, especially with accents or background noise.
• High-quality transcriptions better capture your tone and intent.
• Well-edited transcripts help Google understand topic and keyword focus, improving SEO.

Professional services like GoTranscript’s transcription services can ensure accuracy and save you time.

Simple Steps for Better Podcast SEO

1. Plan Your Podcast Topics and Keywords

• Think carefully about what your audience searches for.
• Use keyword research tools to find popular terms in your niche.
• Include those terms in your show’s title, description, and transcript.

You can learn more in our guide on how to improve SEO with podcast transcriptions.

2. Get Your Content Transcribed

• Consider using a reliable automated transcription service for speed.
• For higher accuracy, opt for professional proofreading or full human transcription.
• Transcripts can be published directly on your podcast’s website.

3. Make Your Podcast More Accessible

• Transcripts help listeners with hearing impairments.
• Add closed captions or subtitles for greater accessibility across platforms.

4. Repurpose Your Podcast Content

• Turn segments of your transcript into blog articles or social media quotes.
• Use text and translation services to reach a global audience.
• Share key takeaways in newsletters and other channels.

Cost-Effective Podcast Transcription Solutions

• Compare podcast transcription pricing for the most affordable solution.
• Get transparent captioning services pricing before you order.

Ordering is easy. Simply order your transcription or order captions with a few clicks.

Conclusion: Transcribing Podcasts Opens Doors

Podcasting keeps growing every year. Still, standing out means making your show easy to find and enjoy. Transcribing your podcast helps you rank higher on search engines, attracts more listeners, and improves accessibility for everyone. By using expert transcription services or even a simple AI transcription subscription, you give your content an advantage and invite a much broader audience to tune in.

Not sure where to start? GoTranscript offers fast, accurate podcast transcription solutions and much more to help your show stand out online.