If you’re an avid podcast listener like us, chances are your favorite podcast hosts have requested reviews and ratings from the Podcasts app on your Apple devices. Of course, the Podcasts app is not the only place where you can download and listen to your favorite podcasts, as other apps such as Spotify include them.
However, despite the arrival of podcasts in Spotify back in 2015, users have been unable to provide reviews for the podcasts that they listen to. Thankfully, a recent update to Spotify changes all of that, as you can finally leave a rating for the podcasts that you want.
There is one pretty big difference between the podcast rating systems when comparing Apple’s Podcasts app to how you can rate podcasts on Spotify. With the former, you are able to leave a rating along with writing a detailed review if you choose. But with the latter, you can only leave a rating between one and five stars and are unable to write out a review. It’s a bit of a disappointing omission, but considering that this feature just started rolling out, we expect this to change in a future update. Nevertheless, here’s how you can rate podcasts on Spotify:
Open the Spotify app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap the Search tab in the bottom toolbar.
Search for the podcast that you want to leave a rating for.
Select the podcast from the list of options.
From the main podcast page, tap the three horizontal lines under the podcast cover image.
In the pop-up menu, select Rate show.
Tap one of the five stars to leave a rating.
Tapping the left-most star will leave a one-star rating. Tapping the right-most star will leave a five-star rating.
It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, but there is another “catch” when it comes to rating podcasts within the Spotify app. The app does not allow you to rate podcasts if you’ve only listened to a single podcast episode. If you try to do so, you’ll be met with the following message:
“Only listeners to this show can rate it. Check out a few episodes then come back and give your feedback.”
This can be a bit frustrating if you’re moving from a different podcasts app and just want to show your love to your favorite podcasts. However, it’s understandable to avoid the rating system being manipulated in any form or fashion.
Why Should You Rate and Review Podcasts?
The most obvious answer to the question of why you should rate and review podcasts is to simply offer your support for your favorite podcasts and creators. However, the answer goes much deeper than that, especially when it comes to reviewing podcasts from the Apple Podcasts or Spotify app.
Algorithms play a major role in the discovery process for any podcast, new or old. If a new podcast hits the airwaves and is incredible, you may never find out about it because those who have managed to listen to it, haven’t left a rating for it. Conversely, the algorithm is so temperamental that even a single negative rating for a new podcast can bury it, similar to what we see with YouTube videos.
But if you leave a rating and/or review for podcasts from either Spotify’s app or the Podcasts app, you could play a major part in the “next big podcast” getting discovered by the masses. Plus, if you enjoy the podcast, you’ll feel good knowing that the podcast creator(s) are going to read your review and you could simply make their day! So if you have a library full of podcasts that you’re subscribed to, take a few minutes and go leave a rating.
Andrew is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US.
He has written for a variety of sites over the years, including iMore, Android Central, Phandroid, and a few others. Now, he spends his days working for an HVAC company, while moonlighting as a freelance writer at night.
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