Can You Comment On Podcasts? (We Checked)

A  podcast is a type of audio entertainment that has become increasingly popular. Many listeners around the world tune into their favorite shows regularly.

A large component of online content is the interaction between platform users. Podcast listeners often have feedback they want to share with other listeners or podcast creators.

This article will look at ways in which listeners are able to comment on podcasts.

Here’s Whether You Can Comment On Podcasts:

There are a few platforms that allow listeners to comment on podcast content. Platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Podcast Addict allow reviews, while Spotify listeners can give a rating. These comments and ratings give podcast creators feedback that they can incorporate into subsequent episodes.

What Podcast Platform Allows Comments?

Apple Podcasts / iTunes

A large proportion of podcasts are downloaded from Apple Podcasts. The ratings and comments left on this platform are displayed in certain other apps as well (e.g., Podcast Addict).

Take note that Apple Podcasts was previously referred to as iTunes. To get podcasts from Apple, you need to instal the podcasts app. Some people still get podcasts via the iTunes app, or they mistakenly call the new app “iTunes”.

To submit a review, select the podcast and click on ‘Write a Review’.

Spotify

Spotify is ever-increasing in popularity. In some countries, it has actually taken over as the most popular app. 

While listeners can give anonymous podcast ratings (1 to 5 stars), reviews are not yet possible.

Here’s how to leave a rating:

1. Find the podcast that you want to rate.
2. Hit the ‘Follow button’ if you haven’t done so previously.
3. Next, hit the ‘Star button’
4. You can then follow the given instructions to leave a rating.

You might be directed to listen to a couple of episodes first.

Castbox

Castbox is a noteworthy podcast app with a considerable amount of users. Users can submit comments about a podcast which are essentially the same as the reviews in different apps.

1. To submit a comment, find the podcast that you wish to comment on.
2. Click on the ‘Comments tab’
3. Hit on the ‘Add a comment’ box.

There is also the option to ‘heart’ single episodes, and this helps with discovery.

Podchaser

Podchaser is a platform that aims to be the “IMDb” of podcasts.

When a podcast gets a review, this could lead to that podcast being shown on the global homepage for a short period, and this will help to promote that podcast.

Click on the podcast and hit ‘Rate Podcast’ if you want to rate and review that content.

Podcast Addict

Podcast Addict is a recent addition, as reviews were only enabled in April 2020.

1. Find the podcast you wish to review.
2. Hit the ‘Reviews’ button.
3. Select the ‘New Review’ icon in the top-right corner.

This platform is among the leading podcast apps designed for Android users and boasts 10million+ users.

Rate This Podcast

Rate This Podcast allows producers to garner more ratings and reviews for their podcast.

Producers say the link on-air (or distribute it via social media) and encourage their listeners to leave a review.

After listeners click on the link provided, it allows them to write a review, which is then submitted to the podcast app.

The applicable apps are shown for the user’s specific device (e.g., Apple Podcasts is only listed for Apple devices).

Do Podcasters Typically Allow Comments?

There is an abundance of podcasts across many platforms. They cover various genres such as news, politics, celebrity gossip, true crime, science fiction, and the list goes on.

Basically, every conceivable topic is dealt with by podcasters on some level.

Podcasters that enter the market will have to face serious competition from other podcasters, irrespective of the niche they try to pursue.

A lot of platforms use the number of comments and ratings to decide which podcasts they should promote.

The more reviews generated, the more probable it would be for these platforms to recommend that podcast to users, include it in a prestigious list, or display it on their homepage.

Reviews and comments prove that users have listened to and liked that podcast. 

With all of that in mind, it is safe to say that many podcasters welcome reviews, comments, and ratings. Comments are also a way for the podcast hosts to interact with their listeners.

You have most likely heard this phrase being said: Please leave a like or comment below.

However, some podcasters may not always like the comments that users leave.

How can you Complain about Wrong Podcast Information?

Almost 116 million Americans—or about 41%—lend their ears to podcasts every month, but only of late have podcasters been under fire for their part in spreading misleading or wrong information.

Arguably one of the most well-known podcasters, Joe Rogan, questioned some health risks. These remarks generated a lot of criticism and users around the globe called for Joe Rogan’s show to be canceled. 

However, the process of reporting controversial or false information as a listener is not easy.

Here’s how to report a podcast on Apple:

1. When listening to the podcast in question, hit the three dots on the bottom right corner.
2. Then hit ‘Report Concern’

Apple’s reporting tool gives you options for reporting, but inaccurate or misleading content is not one of the options.

Here’s how to report content on Spotify:

Currently, Spotify doesn’t give users a straightforward method to report problems with individual episodes.

That said, they do allow you to contact them to report content that is incorrect or that which violates their policies.

Incomplete or inaccurate content:

If a podcast on Spotify isn’t playing properly, or the details (e.g., name, tag, cover picture, release date) is inaccurate, you can report it.

1. Make sure that it isn’t a technical issue:
   a. Ensure your app is up-to-date
   b. Use a different device or Spotify’s web player
   c. Listen to the podcast with a different internet connection
2. Once a technical issue has been ruled out or if you wish to report untagged explicit content, you can contact Spotify on their website ‘contact us’ page.

Unlawful or abusive content:

You can report pictures, playlists, or words that infringe Spotify’s content policies via the desktop app.

1. Launch the desktop app, and right-click on the playlist or artist name.
2. Click on ‘Report’. This will open a form.
3. Fill out the form and click ‘Submit’

If you want to report music or podcast content that is discriminatory or insulting, click on the ‘contact us’ page on Spotify’s website.

Report illegal content:

You can also inform Spotify about content that violates your intellectual property rights.

All reports are investigated individually. Spotify does not answer each individual report, but they use their discretion and delete any content that is deemed not suitable.

The majority of smaller podcast platforms are not financially equipped to carry out thorough content regulation and rely on bigger companies such as Apple and Spotify to decide on content.

How do you Best Leave Comments on Podcasts?

You can follow the guidelines stipulated above when leaving comments on podcasts, but there are also some guidelines that you should follow:

• Refrain from insulting others.
• Don’t write verbally abusive or comments.
• Do not call other people names.

Remember that as a listener, you most likely also have to follow a user policy or guidelines. If you make hateful or discriminatory remarks, you could be removed from the platform or worse.

Final Thoughts

If you want to comment on a certain podcast, remember that podcasts appear on different platforms.

Find a platform that allows comments and then share your feedback. Just make sure that your comments are constructive and free from hate speech.

Sources

The challenge of detecting misinformation in podcasting
Spotify: Report content