Do podcasts have a major influence on our daily lives? More and more people are listening to these audio formats - and it seems that they may have a genuine impact on our habits. So much so that a third of Americans have considered making a change to their lifestyle after listening to one.

The popularity of podcasts doesn't seem set to fade anytime soon. According to a Pew Research report, about half (49%) of Americans listened to a podcast in the past 12 months prior to the survey. One in five Americans and one-third under 30 even reported listening to a podcast at least several times a week.

A habit with this kind of regularity inevitably has an impact on the daily life of listeners. And according to the report, about a third (36%) of podcast fans have even tried out a change in their lifestyle as a result. Sixty percent of respondents said they watched a movie, read a book or listened to music after listening to a podcast; 52% decided to follow podcast's or host's accounts on social networks; while 36% chose to change a lifestyle practice either by doing a new workout, a new diet or a new hobby like "journaling."

Podcasts can also have some influence on purchasing decisions as 28% of Americans surveyed revealed that they had purchased a product featured or discussed in a podcast. Audio programs can also inspire engagement. Thirteen percent of respondents said they donated, volunteered or attended an event for a political cause as a result of listening to a podcast.

The results of Pew Research's survey highlight the reasons that podcasts can have this kind of impact. According to the survey, Americans turn to podcasts primarily to learn (88%), to be entertained (87%) or to find inspiration (59%). Eighty-one percent use podcasts to have something to listen to while doing other tasks, 71% to hear other people's opinions and 64% to keep up with current events.

Another finding of the report is that two-thirds of American listeners have heard about news in podcasts but only one in five listen to podcasts connected to a news organization. Americans are most likely to turn to comedy podcasts at 47%, entertainment and culture at 46% and political topics at 41%.

*The Pew Research survey was conducted among 5,132 US adults from December 5 to 11, 2022.

 - AFP Relaxnews