Podcast News, AI Advancements, and Apple’s Impact on Downloads

We’re covering the podcasting headlines a day early this week. We explore the recent changes Apple made to iOS 17 that has negatively impacted podcast download numbers. While the decrease may seem frustrating for podcasters, it provides a more accurate picture of true listener engagement. We also covered fascinating AI updates from companies like YouTube, Apple, and WonderCraft, giving us a glimpse into the future of AI-generated content. Plus, we dive into the surprising podcasts we listen to and books we would like turned into a podcast series, sparked by the ice-breaker questions. Episode Highlights: [4:38] Ice-breakers: (1) “If you could turn any book into a podcast series, which one would you choose?” (2) “What’s a podcast you listen to that might surprise everyone?” [14:44] Podcasting trends and data. [16:00] Apple Podcasts update causing a decline in downloads. [16:32] Buzzsprout’s global stats and where your show ranks. [20:33] Getting to the core reason Apple Podcasts is deflating downloads. [24:57] Podcast downloads and discoverability strategies. [30:36] Podcast Movement Evolutions Conference in Los Angeles March 26. [31:20] Empowered Podcasting Conference June 28 in Charlotte. [33:47] AI-generated content, Apple-Google partnership, and AI innovation. [40:24] Gamifying short-term content with Overplay technology.  [51:39] Don Lemon's show moved from the X platform. [53:58] Blueberry’s new podcasting tools and YouTube updates. Links & Resources: Empowered Podcasting Conference: https://www.empoweredpodcasting.com    Apply to Speak at Empowered Podcasting: https://bit.ly/emppodspeak24 iOS 17 Update Impact on Downloads: https://podnews.net/article/ios-17-apple-podcasts-timeline#:~:text=Before%20iOS%2017%2C%20when%20a,stopped%20listening%20to%20The%20Daily YouTube Adds AI Label IDs: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/YouTube-labels-AImade-PjmtxUl7RpyIslp1uTlFeQ Apple & Google in partnership discussions about Gemini AI: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/Geminipowered-iPhone-features-iyRtDaeSQvamDxj_oiwjEQ Overplay (as seen on Shark Tank): https://overplay.com/ Don Lemon’s New Show Cancelled by Elon Musk: https://blavity.com/don-lemon-says-elon-musk-canceled-new-x-talk-show Remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us grow and continue to bring valuable content to our community. Join us LIVE every weekday morning at 7am ET (US) on ⁠Clubhouse⁠: ⁠https://www.clubhouse.com/house/empowered-podcasting-e6nlrk0w (Coming soon to LinkedIn Live...)  Brought to you by ⁠iRonickMedia.com⁠ and ⁠NextGenPodcaster.com⁠ Please note that some links may be affiliate links, which support the hosts of the PMC. Thank you!