Podcast rankings look glossy on the surface, but what do they actually mean for your growth, your revenue, and your long-term visibility?

In this data-rich episode of As It Relates to Podcasting, Simona Costantini is joined by Megan Dougherty, creator of the State of Business Podcasting Report, and Ana Xavier, founder of The Podcast Space, to unpack the real truth behind podcast rankings, retention, and sustainable growth heading into 2026.

Together, they dissect what the Top 100 Business Podcasts data truly reveals about churn, completion rates, publishing frequency, discoverability, video adoption, guest strategy, and why so many shows rise fast and disappear just as quickly. They also explore how algorithms actually interpret engagement, how AI is changing the backend of podcast strategy, and why human connection is now the most powerful growth metric of all.

If you want to stop chasing vanity metrics and start building a podcast that compounds in authority, audience, and income, this conversation gives you the roadmap behind the rankings.

Inside this episode:

• What podcast rankings really measure and what they completely ignore
• Why nearly half of top-ranked business podcasts rotate off the charts each year
• The difference between downloads, completion rate, and real listener quality
• How retention directly shapes algorithmic discoverability
• The most common publishing frequency among the Top 100 shows
• How short-form daily publishing fits into long-term strategy
• Why guest strategy now functions as a growth engine, not just content
• How cross-promotion and relationships drive measurable ROI
• The hidden truth about show notes, SEO, and discoverability
• What the data reveals about video podcasting adoption
• Where AI supports podcasting and where it quietly erodes trust
• Why humanity now outperforms polish in listener connection
• The real factors behind scalable podcast growth in 2026

✨ Free Resource: Download my Podcast Launch Blueprint, the 5-step system to plan, record, and launch a professional show in just 8 weeks.

https://voltproductions.co/podcast-launch-blueprint-2025 

Launch Your Podcast in 8 Weeks Course: https://voltproductions.co/launch-podcast-8-weeks-course-offer 

State of Business Podcasting Report:

https://podcastingforbusiness.com/the-state-of-business-podcasting-report/ 

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Learn about:

• 00:00 Why podcast growth opinions often conflict with real data
• 02:00 What the State of Business Podcasting Report actually measures
• 04:00 The surprising churn rate behind Top 100 podcasts
• 07:00 Publishing frequency trends among high-ranking shows
• 09:00 Completion rate vs download volume as quality signals
• 11:00 Subscriber growth and discoverability indicators
• 13:30 Guest strategy as a long-term growth lever
• 15:30 Cross-promotion, referrals, and relationship-driven ROI
• 18:00 Show notes performance and SEO realities
• 21:00 AI, automation, and what creators must fact-check
• 23:30 Video podcasting as a future-proof strategy
• 26:00 What the data says about sustainable growth in 2026
• 28:00 The one trend that will be unavoidable next year

MORE RESOURCES:

• Try Descript here: https://get.descript.com/orsams0rrlfo
• Book a Call: https://www.voltproductions.co/contact 

Connect with Ana:

• Website: https://www.thepodcastspace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepodcastspace/ 
• Podcast: https://www.thepodcastspace.com/podcast 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjB4ztIRQBFadQ3C8OVZvDA/about 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anaxavierr/ 

Connect with Megan:

• Website: https://onestonecreative.net/
• Podcast: https://onestonecreative.net/spotlight/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doughertymegan/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oscpodcasting/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneStoneCreative/ 

Connect with Simona here:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/simona__costantini
• Business Instagram: www.instagram.com/volt.productions 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simona-costantini-25653a30/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SimonaCostantini_/
• Website: www.voltproductions.co 
• Happiness Happens Podcast: https://www.simonacostantini.com/happinesshappenspodcast