Podcast Ratings: How Much They Matter and What They Really Impact

When you launch a podcast, one of the first things you’re told is: “Get as many podcast ratings as you can.” It’s often framed as a golden ticket to credibility, visibility, and chart success. But how much do podcast ratings really matter? And more importantly—do they actually help you climb the Apple Podcasts or Spotify podcast charts? 🤔

If you’ve ever found yourself refreshing your ratings page or asking friends to leave 5-star reviews, you’re not alone. Many podcasters assume that high ratings are a key growth lever. And while they do play a role in your podcast’s image, their actual impact on your rankings might surprise you. 🎯

In this article, we’ll break down what podcast ratings really mean, how they influence listener behavior, and whether they have any effect on your position in the podcast charts. We’ll also explore smarter ways to track your show’s performance—so you can focus on what truly moves the needle. 📈

1. What Are Podcast Ratings, and Why Do They Matter?

Podcast ratings are a simple feedback mechanism that allows listeners to rate a show—typically on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. You’ll find them prominently displayed on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where users can quickly express how much they enjoyed a podcast episode or show overall. ⭐

On Apple Podcasts, listeners can both rate and write podcast reviews—short written comments that give more context to the rating. On Spotify, however, the system is limited to star ratings only, with no option to leave a written review. 📝

While technically easy to collect, podcast ratings carry emotional and strategic weight for creators. A high average rating boosts credibility, acts as social proof, and reassures potential listeners that your content is worth their time. It’s the podcast equivalent of restaurant stars or Amazon reviews—quick signals of trustworthiness. 👀

That said, it’s crucial to understand what podcast ratings are not. They are not a performance metric that determines your ranking in Spotify or Apple charts. Even if you rack up hundreds of five-star ratings, it won’t directly influence your podcast’s chart position—more on that later. ⚠️

Still, many creators actively seek ratings because they know this: a strong reputation helps convert curious browsers into loyal listeners. And that, in turn, can fuel real, measurable growth. 🔄

2. Do Podcast Ratings Influence Apple and Spotify Charts?

Many podcasters assume that collecting 5-star ratings will boost their chances of appearing in the top podcast charts. It’s a logical assumption—but it’s also a misconception. While podcast ratings certainly shape how your show is perceived, they do not directly affect your ranking on either Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Let’s break it down. 🧩

2.1 Apple Podcasts: Ratings Are Not a Ranking Factor

Apple Podcasts does not use ratings or written reviews as part of its chart-ranking algorithm. Instead, the main drivers behind chart position are:

• New subscriber activity (especially over short time periods)
• Engagement metrics, like plays and repeat listens
• Growth velocity, or how fast your audience is expanding

So even if your show has hundreds of glowing reviews, it won’t move the needle unless you’re also attracting new subscribers and consistent listening activity. 🚀

That said, podcast ratings still matter—just not in the way many think. A strong star rating can encourage new users to click, listen, and subscribe, which does influence the ranking indirectly. Think of it as a conversion lever, not a ranking lever. 🧲

2.2 Spotify: Ratings Have Zero Impact on Rankings

Spotify’s podcast charts are even more focused on actual listening behavior. The platform relies exclusively on signals such as:

• Total number of recent streams
• Listener retention and completion rates
• Repeat listening and episode frequency
• Follower (subscriber) growth over time

Ratings on Spotify have no impact on these rankings. In fact, Spotify doesn’t even consider them a form of engagement for its algorithm. 🔍

But like on Apple, podcast ratings still play a psychological role. A high star average builds trust at a glance. It might not push you up the charts—but it might push someone to hit play. And that’s where the real ranking signals begin. 🎧

3. What Podcast Ratings Actually Do: The Power of Social Proof

While podcast ratings won’t help you climb the charts directly, they play a crucial role in shaping how your show is perceived by potential listeners. Think of them as a digital “first impression.” In a world flooded with audio content, a solid star rating can be the nudge someone needs to give your podcast a chance. ⭐

High ratings act as social proof—a psychological shortcut that tells new listeners, “Others like this, so you probably will too.” When browsing through podcast directories, most people will naturally gravitate toward shows with a 4.5★ average or higher. The more positive ratings you have, the more you reduce friction to entry. You’re not just asking for someone’s time—you’re earning their trust. 🧠

Ratings also contribute to your brand image. Whether you’re pitching sponsors or attracting new listeners, a podcast with a clean, impressive rating stands out. It signals quality, consistency, and credibility, even before someone presses play. 📣

That single decision could turn into an episode binge, a new subscriber, or even a brand advocate. And that’s the true power of podcast ratings—not rankings, but reputation. 🔄

4. How to Encourage Podcast Ratings Without Obsessing Over Them

As a podcaster, it’s totally normal to want more ratings—after all, they make your show look trustworthy and professional. But chasing stars shouldn’t become your full-time strategy. Instead, think of ratings as a byproduct of great content and thoughtful community building. 🙌

🎯 Use gentle, value-driven CTAs

Don’t beg—invite. At the end of your episodes, add a short, friendly call-to-action like:

• “If you enjoyed this episode, a quick 5-star rating really helps more people discover the show.”
• “Liking the podcast? Drop a star on Spotify or a quick review on Apple—it means a lot!”

Keep it short, authentic, and aligned with your tone. Mentioning it after delivering value (not before!) makes it feel like a natural ask. 🎙️

📱 Leverage your social platforms

Instagram Stories, Twitter threads, or even LinkedIn posts can be great places to encourage your audience to rate your show. You can show screenshots of existing reviews, use polls, or post listener shout-outs as social proof. Make your community feel like part of your growth—not just spectators. 💬

🤫 Don’t overdo it

Mentioning ratings in every episode intro, outro, newsletter, and social post? That’s a fast track to listener fatigue. Instead, keep the focus on what matters most: delivering consistent, high-quality content. The better the experience, the more likely people are to leave a rating without being asked. 🌱

🎧 Focus on the content—ratings will follow

The real win is not the number of stars, but the connection you build with your audience. Make your episodes unforgettable, relatable, and useful. The rest—loyal fans, shares, and yes, even 5-star ratings—will naturally follow. 🌟

At the end of the day, you’re not just creating a podcast. You’re creating value. And that’s what turns listeners into advocates. ❤️

5. Want Better Rankings (and Ratings)? Track What Really Moves the Needle

Podcast ratings may reflect how listeners feel about your show—but they don’t drive your position in the Apple or Spotify charts. So what does? The real answer lies in listener behavior data—the metrics that platforms use to decide who deserves to climb the rankings. 📊

Here are the core signals that influence podcast rankings today:

• 🎧 Follows/Subscribes: One of the strongest indicators of long-term interest. Apple, in particular, values recent subscription spikes when calculating chart positions.
• 📈 Listening velocity: How fast new listeners are discovering and playing your episodes.
• ⏱️ Completion rates: Are people listening all the way through, or dropping off early?
• 🔁 Repeat listening: Listeners who come back for multiple episodes are a strong signal of quality.
• 📆 Momentum over time: Spotify and Apple reward consistent growth—not just viral spikes.

Now here’s the interesting part: these same behaviors don’t just impact your rankings—they also lead to more positive ratings and reviews. People who binge episodes, come back every week, and feel a connection to your content are the ones most likely to hit 5 stars. So if you’re aiming to boost ratings, start by focusing on what fuels real listener engagement. 🔥

🎯 Track the right data with Ausha Charts

If you want to grow your podcast strategically, you need visibility on how your show is really performing—not just stars and comments. That’s where Ausha Charts comes in.

With Ausha Charts, you can:

📊 Monitor real-time podcast rankings for both top shows and trending episodes
👀 Explore categories and subcategories to spot emerging trends in your niche
🌎 Filter by country for localized performance insights
🎧 Access exclusive Spotify data that you won’t find anywhere else

Whether you’re trying to break into the top 100 or simply want to track your growth with clarity, Ausha Charts helps you focus on what really matters—and make data-driven decisions to go further, faster. 🚀

Conclusion

Podcast ratings can be powerful—but only when we understand their true role. They’re not the magic lever that launches your show to the top of the charts, but they are a valuable trust signal that helps convert curious browsers into loyal listeners. ⭐

If you want more ratings, the answer isn’t to chase stars—it’s to create meaningful, binge-worthy content that sparks engagement. Because it’s the real listener behavior—subscribes, plays, completions, and replays—that drives your visibility on Apple and Spotify charts. 📈

The good news? Those same behaviors often lead to more five-star ratings too.

In the end, great podcasts don’t grow by accident—they grow by design. Keep creating, keep connecting, and let the data guide your way. 🎧