Understanding Your Download Statistics
Your podcast analytics provide valuable insights into your audience and content performance.
What Counts as a Download?
A download is counted when a podcast app or player downloads your audio file. This includes:
- Streaming plays (progressive downloads)
- Full file downloads for offline listening
- Auto-downloads from subscribed listeners
Key Metrics
Total Downloads
The cumulative number of times your episodes have been downloaded.
Downloads per Episode
Average downloads across all episodes. Useful for benchmarking.
Download Trends
Shows patterns over time. Look for:
- Release day spikes
- Consistent growth
- Seasonal patterns
IAB Compliance
Dispatch follows IAB Podcast Measurement Guidelines, which filter out:
- Bot traffic
- Duplicate downloads within 24 hours
- Preloading without playback
This ensures your statistics reflect real listener engagement.
Tips for Growing Downloads
- Consistent release schedule - Train your audience when to expect new episodes
- Strong episode titles - Make them searchable and compelling
- Cross-promotion - Share on social media and collaborate with other podcasters
- Quality content - Focus on value for your listeners