27 Podcast Survey Questions to Collect Actionable Listener Insights
Discover 35 actionable podcast survey questions with sample prompts to gather listener feedback and improve podcast content effectively.
Introduction
Podcast surveys are your backstage pass to understanding your audience's preferences, needs, and desires. By gathering listener feedback for podcasts, you can fine-tune your content, boost engagement, and pave the way for monetization. Deploying surveys at strategic points in the listener journey—be it pre-launch, during onboarding, or post-episode—ensures you collect actionable insights that drive your podcast's success.
Pre-Launch Audience Research Survey
Why & When to Use
Before you hit the record button, it's wise to validate your podcast concept. A pre-launch podcast survey helps you:
- Confirm your show's appeal.
- Determine optimal episode length.
- Set a release schedule that resonates with listeners.
- Identify market gaps and target audience pain points.
Sample Questions
- Which podcast categories do you listen to most often?
- What topics are under-represented in podcasts about [niche]?
- What episode length keeps you engaged: <15, 15-30, 30-45, 45+ minutes?
- How frequently would you like new episodes released?
- What motivates you to try a brand-new podcast?
By addressing these questions, you can tailor your podcast to meet listener expectations and fill existing content voids.
Conducting pre-launch surveys with clear, concise questions and offering incentives can effectively gather valuable audience insights to refine your podcast concept. (prelaunch.com)
Create your survey, it's 100% free
Creating a survey with HeySurvey is a breeze, even if you’ve never tried it before. Here’s how to get your podcast survey questions up and running in just a few simple steps:
Step 1: Create a New Survey
Start by visiting the HeySurvey website and clicking Create Survey or opening a relevant survey template using the button below the instructions. You can choose to begin with a pre-built template which helps you get a head start, or go for an empty sheet if you want full customization. Don’t worry about signing up right away—HeySurvey lets you start instantly, but you’ll need an account to publish and track responses.
Step 2: Add Your Questions
Once inside the survey editor, add your podcast survey questions easily by clicking Add Question. Pick from various question types like multiple choice, scale ratings, or open text to match each question’s needs. You can write your question text, mark questions as required, and even add images for a splash of personality. Plus, HeySurvey’s branching options let you send listeners down custom paths based on their answers—perfect for tailoring your survey experience.
Step 3: Publish Your Survey
After your questions are set, hit the Preview button to see what your survey looks like on different devices. Happy with it? Go ahead and Publish the survey. You’ll get a shareable link to send out to your listeners. Remember, publishing requires creating a free HeySurvey account, which also lets you collect and analyze responses in one convenient place.
Bonus Step: Make It Your Own
Personalize your survey by adding branding like your podcast logo in the header. This lets your survey feel like a natural extension of your show. You can access the Settings Panel to set start/end dates, limit responses, or add a redirect URL after completion. Feeling adventurous? Try branching to skip irrelevant questions or take listeners on unique question journeys based on their answers!
Ready to get actionable insights that improve podcast content? Use the button below to open a tailored survey template and start customizing now.
New Listener Onboarding Survey
Why & When to Use
After a listener's first or second play, it's time to roll out the welcome mat. A new listener survey uncovers:
- How they found your podcast.
- Their initial impressions.
- Barriers to continued listening.
Sample Questions
- How did you discover our podcast?
- Which episode title convinced you to press play?
- What are your top goals or challenges related to [topic]?
- What nearly stopped you from listening?
- What would make you keep listening after the first episode?
These insights help you refine your onboarding process and enhance first impressions.
Implementing listener surveys can enhance content quality, boost audience engagement, and increase listener retention. (thepodcasting.org)
Post-Episode Feedback Survey
Why & When to Use
Gauge immediate reactions to individual episodes and pinpoint quick-win improvements. A post-episode feedback survey allows you to:
- Assess episode value.
- Identify popular segments.
- Determine optimal episode length.
- Gather suggestions for future episodes.
- Measure shareability.
Sample Questions
- On a scale of 1–10, how valuable was this episode?
- Which segment did you enjoy most?
- Was the episode length too short, just right, or too long?
- What would you change or improve in future episodes?
- How likely are you to share this episode with a friend?
This feedback is gold for refining your content and boosting listener engagement.
Content Preference & Format Survey
Why & When to Use
Steer your editorial calendar, guest bookings, and format tweaks based on loyal listener input. A podcast content survey helps you:
- Prioritize upcoming topics.
- Understand format preferences.
- Gauge interest in bonus content.
- Identify desired guest experts.
- Assess interest in video versions.
Sample Questions
- Which upcoming topics should we prioritize?
- Do you prefer interviews, solo commentary, or panel discussions?
- How interested are you in bonus content (behind-the-scenes, Q&A)?
- Which guest experts would you love to hear from?
- Would a video version of episodes appeal to you?
Tailoring your content to these preferences can significantly enhance listener satisfaction.
A Pew Research Center survey found that about half of U.S. adults (49%) listened to a podcast in the past year, with 66% of these listeners tuning in at least a few times a month. (pewresearch.org)
Monetization & Sponsorship Feedback Survey
Why & When to Use
Optimize ad formats, gauge willingness to support Patreon/Tiered memberships, and attract aligned sponsors. A podcast sponsorship survey provides insights into:
- Ad relevance.
- Preferred ad placements.
- Brand partnerships.
- Willingness to pay for ad-free content.
- Promo code usage.
Sample Questions
- How relevant did you find our sponsored messages?
- Which ad placements (pre-roll, mid-roll, post-roll) do you tolerate best?
- What brands or products would you like us to partner with?
- Would you pay for an ad-free version of this podcast?
- Have you ever used a promo code mentioned on the show?
Understanding these aspects can refine your monetization strategy and attract suitable sponsors.
Host & Production Quality Survey
Why & When to Use
Evaluate delivery style, technical audio quality, pacing, and overall production polish. A podcast audio quality survey helps you:
- Assess host engagement.
- Identify audio issues.
- Evaluate episode structure.
- Gather suggestions for improvement.
- Measure overall pacing.
Sample Questions
- How engaging do you find the host’s delivery style?
- Was the audio quality clear and pleasant throughout?
- Are the intro and outro segments too long, too short, or just right?
- Did you notice any distracting background noises?
- How would you rate the overall pacing of the show?
Addressing these areas can enhance the overall listener experience.
Net Promoter Score & Listener Loyalty Survey
Why & When to Use
Measure loyalty, predict word-of-mouth growth, and benchmark year-over-year performance. A podcast NPS survey helps you:
- Gauge listener satisfaction.
- Identify brand perception.
- Assess social media engagement.
- Understand listening habits.
- Gather recommendations for improvement.
Sample Questions
- On a scale of 0–10, how likely are you to recommend our podcast to a friend?
- How many episodes have you listened to in the last month?
- Which three words best describe our podcast?
- What would increase your likelihood of recommending us?
- Do you follow us on social media? If yes, which platforms?
These insights are invaluable for fostering a loyal listener base.
Podcast Survey Best Practices: Dos and Don’ts
Dos
- Keep Surveys Short: Aim for brevity to respect listener time.
- Incentivize Participation: Offer rewards to boost response rates.
- Segment by Listener Stage: Tailor surveys to different listener journeys.
- Use Clear Rating Scales: Ensure questions are easy to understand.
- A/B Test Questions: Optimize question effectiveness.
Don’ts
- Ask Double-Barreled Questions: Avoid questions that address multiple issues.
- Demand Unnecessary Personal Data: Respect listener privacy.
- Send Surveys Too Often: Prevent survey fatigue.
- Ignore Mobile Friendliness: Ensure surveys are accessible on all devices.
- Forget to Close the Feedback Loop: Share how feedback
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