Spotify has launched a powerful new feature that shows how many times a podcast episode has been played. If you're wondering, "Does Spotify show podcast episode plays?" — the answer is now yes. As of May 2025, Spotify users can view real-time play counts for both audio and video podcasts across the platform. This update not only enhances the podcast discovery experience but also gives creators valuable insights to grow their audience. Whether you're a casual listener or a podcast producer, Spotify’s new "plays" metric provides a transparent look into what content is resonating most with audiences.
Spotify's New "Plays" Metric: What It Means for Users
In a strategic move to compete with YouTube's dominance in podcasting, Spotify revealed its latest innovation: public play counts. The "plays" metric is now displayed prominently next to each podcast episode, offering users a quick glance at the popularity of episodes. You’ll find this new data on the homepage, episode pages, and show pages across the Spotify app.
By showing how often an episode has been listened to or watched, Spotify hopes to help users discover trending podcasts more easily. Seeing high play numbers might encourage new listeners to dive into episodes they may have otherwise overlooked, making the podcast discovery process more social-proofed and dynamic.
How Spotify’s Podcast Play Counts Benefit Creators
For podcast creators, this update is a game-changer. The introduction of public play counts allows creators to benchmark their content's success against others in their niche. With insights available not just on Spotify but also through Spotify for Creators and Megaphone, podcasters can better understand audience behavior, optimize their content strategies, and focus on producing high-performing episodes.
Tracking play counts can also improve ad revenue opportunities, as brands increasingly look for data-backed shows when placing podcast ads. Podcast monetization, creator sponsorships, and branded content deals could see a significant boost as Spotify provides more transparent audience metrics.
Spotify’s Growth and Its Bigger Podcasting Push
This announcement comes shortly after Spotify reported impressive financial results in its first-quarter earnings. The platform added 5 million premium subscribers, reaching a total of 268 million. This surge represents the largest first-quarter growth since 2020 and cements Spotify’s aggressive momentum in the audio streaming and podcasting space.
By continually enhancing features like the podcast "plays" metric, Spotify is not only solidifying its position in music streaming but also advancing rapidly into the lucrative podcast advertising market. Podcast sponsorship, CPM rates, and programmatic audio ads are expected to rise, making Spotify an even more attractive platform for advertisers seeking engaged audiences.
Final Thoughts: Why Spotify’s Podcast Play Counts Matter
Spotify's move to display podcast play counts reflects a broader trend toward greater transparency and user empowerment across digital media platforms. For listeners, it simplifies podcast discovery. For creators, it opens up a wealth of performance data previously hidden behind the scenes. And for advertisers, it adds another layer of precision to audience targeting strategies.
As podcast marketing grows and digital audio ad spending surges, Spotify’s innovation ensures it remains competitive — not just against YouTube but across the entire podcasting ecosystem.
Whether you're a casual listener, a podcast creator aiming to boost your show’s visibility, or a brand seeking new advertising opportunities, Spotify's new podcast plays feature is set to change how we all engage with podcasts in 2025.
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