Gen Z Prefers Audio Podcasts

At next week’s Evolutions by Podcast Movement, Steven Goldstein, founder of Amplifi Media, and Jay Nachlis, Vice President of Coleman Insights, will unveil The State of Video Podcasting 2025. 

Ahead of the event, Goldstein shared a preview slide from a survey of 1,000 recent podcast consumers, aged 15-64, including 307 Gen Z respondents. The standout insight: just 10% of Gen Z podcast listeners say they never watch video podcasts. Still, there’s complexity beneath the surface—41% of these Gen Z respondents continue to prefer audio-first experiences.

Gen Z podcast trends, reflect this cohort’s unique blend of digital fluency, cultural priorities, and consumption habits. Born roughly between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z—now aged 13 to 28—has embraced podcasts as a key medium, shaping its growth with distinct preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the trends driving their podcast engagement:

Preference for Audio Over Video: Gen Z leans heavily into audio-first experiences, with posts on X last week, claiming 76% prefer podcasts over video formats. This isn’t about rejecting visuals—they’re TikTok natives, after all—but about audio’s flexibility. Podcasts fit their multitasking lifestyle, whether they’re commuting, studying, or gaming. Spotify’s 2024 Culture Next report notes that 50% of Gen Z trust podcasts more than traditional media, valuing the authenticity of a host’s voice over polished TV news or YouTube vlogs.

Rise of Fiction and Narrative Podcasts: Unlike older generations who favor news or self-help, Gen Z gravitates toward fiction. X posts highlight shows like "Welcome to Night Vale" outpacing traditional formats, suggesting a hunger for immersive storytelling. This aligns with their creative bent—80% say audio lets them explore their personalities (Statista, 2022). Think serialized dramas or audio fiction that feels like a mental movie, tapping into their imagination without the screen time of video games or films.

Short-Form and Bite-Sized Content: Gen Z’s attention span isn’t necessarily short—it’s selective. They’ve grown up with Vine, Snapchat, and TikTok, so they favor concise, punchy podcasts. Data from Edison Research (2023) shows younger listeners prefer episodes under 30 minutes, a shift from the hour-long rambles popular with Millennials. Platforms like Spotify have adapted, pushing “micro-podcasts” or segmented shows that deliver quick hits of entertainment or insight.

Community and Interactivity: Gen Z doesn’t just listen—they engage. Patreon-funded shows, Discord communities, and live X Spaces tied to podcasts let them chat with hosts or co-create content. A 2024 Infinite Dial report pegs 37% of 12-34-year-olds as monthly podcast listeners, up from 26% in 2018, with many joining fan bases that extend the experience. This mirrors their social media habits, where passive consumption isn’t enough—they want a stake in the conversation.

Music Integration and Platform Loyalty: Spotify dominates Gen Z’s audio world—56% prefer it over YouTube or Apple Music (X posts, 2025)—and podcasts often blend with music playlists. “Vibe-driven” shows with curated soundtracks or artist interviews (e.g., Billie Eilish on New Music Daily) hook them in. This fusion reflects their seamless shift between songs and spoken word, with 70% discovering podcasts via streaming apps rather than standalone platforms (Nielsen, 2023).

Skepticism of Traditional Media:  Gen Z’s distrust of legacy outlets—only 32% trust TV news (Pew, 2022)—fuels their podcast boom. They’d rather hear unfiltered takes from indie creators or niche voices than polished anchors. Political pods still draw them, but they skew toward commentary over straight reporting, like “The Daily Beans” for left-leaning takes or “Louder with Crowder” on the right, per X mentions.