It’s official—women are making waves in the world of audio, and the numbers speak for themselves. According to The Women’s Audio Report: Women & Podcasts from Edison Research and SiriusXM Media, monthly podcast listenership among women in the U.S. has tripled in the past decade, from just 15% in 2015 to a remarkable 45% in 2025.

 

 

Source: The Women’s Audio Report: Women & Podcasts, Edison Research, and SiriusXM Media, 2025

When factoring in video podcast viewership, that number jumps even higher, with 52% of women aged 18+ now consuming podcast content in some form.

This significant growth is more than just a statistic—it’s a cultural shift in how women are engaging with digital media and storytelling. For advertisers, publishers, and audio tech platforms like AdTonos, it signals a significant opportunity.

A Growing and Engaged Audience

The rise in women’s podcast listenership isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how and why women are engaging with audio content. The report reveals that:

  • Women who listen to podcasts monthly spend, on average, over 1 hour and 40 minutes daily with podcast content.

Source: The Women’s Audio Report: Women & Podcasts, Edison Research, and SiriusXM Media, 2025

  • Female podcast listeners tend to be younger, with 39% aged 18–34, and are more likely to have higher household incomes (29% earn over $100K) and college degrees (51% hold a degree).

Source: The Women’s Audio Report: Women & Podcasts, Edison Research, and SiriusXM Media, 2025

  • Their top reasons for tuning in? Deep dives into meaningful topics (53%), learning (46%), and entertainment (44%).

Source: The Women’s Audio Report: Women & Podcasts, Edison Research, and SiriusXM Media, 2025

  • A massive 79% of women consider having a host they enjoy to be essential, while 72% value relatability in the content.

This demonstrates that women are not passive listeners—they’re intentional, emotionally invested, and eager for connection and authenticity.

Commercial Impact and Representation Matter

What makes this audience even more powerful is their responsiveness to advertising and their preference for authenticity:

  • 75% of women who heard a podcast ad took action based on it.

  • 45% are more likely to consider brands that support women-hosted or produced podcasts.

  • Almost half of the top 25 shows among women weekly listeners feature female hosts or co-hosts.

It’s clear: for brands seeking to align with a highly engaged and values-driven audience, podcasts hosted or produced by women offer a compelling space for connection.

It Matters for the Audio Advertising Ecosystem

As a company that champions innovation in digital audio advertising, AdTonos recognises this trend as a pivotal moment. Women’s increasing involvement in podcasting is not just expanding the listener base—it’s reshaping the content landscape and driving demand for more inclusive, representative storytelling.

And it’s not just audio anymore. Video podcast consumption is rising fast, with 33% of women watching podcasts, further amplifying opportunities for dynamic, multimedia ad experiences.

Invest in Women, Invest in Growth

The surge in women’s podcast listenership isn’t just a demographic trend—it’s a movement—a movement toward more diverse voices, more engaging content, and more impactful advertising.

As Edison’s Megan Lazovick puts it, “Women’s voices deserve to be heard and supported as the powerful market force they truly are.”

At AdTonos, we believe in the power of audio to connect, engage, and inspire. As this space continues to evolve, we’re committed to helping brands make their voices heard, especially when they support the voices of women.

Want to learn more? Download the full Women’s Audio Report: Women & Podcasts here and stay tuned for Part 2 of the series, Women & Music, launching soon.

Source: The Women’s Audio Report: Women & Podcasts, Edison Research, and SiriusXM Media, 2025

Source: Edison Research website.