Goodpods: Podcast Player and Discovery App

By podcast | July 27, 2023

Are you still stuck in the Stone Age, listening into your podcasts on Apple or Spotify?

It’s time to step out of that yawn-inducing routine and let me introduce you to the hot new kid on the block, Goodpods. Goodpods is an award winning podcast app.

As someone who practically breathes podcasts and has an insatiable curiosity for everything tech, I’ve been eyeing this fresh platform called Goodpods.

It’s not just adding a new flavor to the podcast listening game, but it’s evolving it, serving up a feast of unique social interactions that’s making even the hardcore Apple and Spotify loyalists sit up and take notice.

This innovative listening platform, founded by siblings JJ and Ken Ramberg, is not just another podcast app; it’s a social network that allows you to see what your friends and influencers are listening to.

It’s a game-changer, filling a unique gap in the market and fostering a vibrant community of podcast enthusiasts.

But that’s not all. Goodpods also offers a host of benefits for podcasters, helping them grow their audience and interact with listeners in a whole new way.

With accolades under its belt and a growing user base, Goodpods is certainly in the spotlight.

In this article, we’ll delve into the ins and outs of Goodpods, its impact on the podcasting landscape, and what it means for listeners and podcasters alike.

Genesis of Goodpods

The Inspiration Behind Goodpods

The inspiration for Goodpods came from a simple, yet common frustration. Co-founders JJ and Ken Ramberg, both avid podcast listeners, found themselves constantly seeking new podcast recommendations.

With over 30 million episodes available, they knew there were countless great stories and interviews they were missing out on.

They found themselves frequently asking friends and family for podcast suggestions, sparking the idea for Goodpods. The siblings envisioned a platform where they could easily see what their friends and other podcast enthusiasts were listening to, even when they couldn’t directly get in touch with them.

This frustration and subsequent idea led to the creation of Goodpods, a social network for podcast listeners.

The Goodpods Charts

The Founders Journey

JJ and Ken Ramberg, have a rich history of entrepreneurship. Their journey began with their family business, which their paternal grandfather started after immigrating to the United States from Mexico.

Their entrepreneurial spirit continued with the founding of JOBTRAK, a job listing and resume database for college students, which they later sold to Monster.com.

JJ, a former host of MSNBC’s weekend business program, and Ken, a serial entrepreneur, combined their experiences and passion for podcasts to create Goodpods.

Their goal was simple: to make it easier for listeners to discover great content and help podcasters find new listeners.

Filling a Gap In The Market

Goodpods filled a unique gap in the podcasting market by combining social networking with podcast discovery.

Unlike other podcast apps, Goodpods allows users to follow friends, influencers, and podcasters to see what shows and episodes they’re listening to.

This feature enables users to discover new podcasts based on the listening habits of people they trust and admire.

Additionally, Goodpods amplifies word of mouth, making it easier for even small independent podcasters to grow their listenership.

The app also facilitates engagement between podcasters and listeners, allowing them to connect and engage with each other via comments and discussions. This unique blend of social networking and podcast discovery sets Goodpods apart in the podcasting market.

Features and Functionality

Key Features of Goodpods

Goodpods is a unique podcast app that offers a variety of features designed to enhance your podcast listening experience.

Social Networking: Goodpods is not just a podcast app; it’s a social network. You can follow your friends, influencers, and podcasters to see what they’re listening to and discover new content. This feature allows you to share your favorite podcasts and episodes, making podcast discovery a social experience.
Personalized Recommendations: Goodpods offers personalized recommendations based on your listening habits and the podcasts your friends are listening to. This feature helps you discover new podcasts that align with your interests.
Podcast Player: Goodpods has a user-friendly podcast player that allows you to easily control your listening experience. You can subscribe to shows, save episodes, adjust your playback speed, and more.
Community Interaction: Goodpods allows you to interact with the podcast community. You can rate and review shows, participate in discussions, and share your favorite episodes with others.

Setting up our Goodpods account

How Goodpods Works

Using Goodpods is simple and straightforward. Here’s a basic walkthrough:

Find Podcasts: You can discover new podcasts by browsing through the app’s categories, checking out what your friends are listening to, or using the search function to find specific podcasts.
Listen to Podcasts: Once you’ve found a podcast you’re interested in, you can listen to it directly on the app. You can control the playback speed, save episodes for later, and download episodes for offline listening.
Interact with the Community: Goodpods allows you to rate and review podcasts, share your favorite episodes with your friends, and participate in discussions about the podcasts you’re listening to.
Follow Others: You can follow your friends, influencers, and podcasters to see what they’re listening to. This can help you discover new podcasts that you might not have found on your own.

Differentiating Goodpods

Goodpods differentiates itself from other podcast apps in several ways:

Social Networking: Unlike most podcast apps, Goodpods incorporates social networking features. This allows you to see what your friends are listening to and discover new podcasts through social interaction.
Community Interaction: Goodpods encourages community interaction. You can rate and review podcasts, participate in discussions, and share your favorite episodes with others.
Personalized Recommendations: Goodpods offers personalized recommendations based on your listening habits and the podcasts your friends are listening to. This helps you discover new podcasts that align with your interests.

In comparison to other podcast apps, Goodpods offers a unique blend of podcast listening and social networking, making it a standout choice for podcast enthusiasts.

The Social Aspect of Goodpods

Following Friends and Influencers

One of the key features that sets Goodpods apart from other podcast apps is the ability to follow friends and influencers.

By following others, you can see what they’re listening to, which can help you discover new podcasts that you might not have found on your own.

For example, if you have a friend who has a great taste in comedy, you can follow them on Goodpods and see what they’re listening to.

This can help you discover new comedy podcasts that you might enjoy. Similarly, by following influencers or podcasters, you can stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of your favorite podcasts and discover new ones that they recommend.

Fostering a Podcast Community

Goodpods fosters a community of podcast listeners by allowing users to interact with each other. Users can rate and review podcasts, participate in discussions about the podcasts they’re listening to, and share their favorite episodes with others.

This community interaction enhances the social aspect of podcasting, making it more than just a solitary activity.

It allows users to connect with other podcast enthusiasts, share their thoughts and opinions, and discover new podcasts through social interaction.

Some general recommendations and a rec from our friend Arielle at Earbuds Collective

Enhancing the Podcast Listening Experience

The social features of Goodpods enhance the podcast listening experience in several ways. By allowing users to follow friends and influencers, Goodpods makes podcast discovery a social experience.

You can discover new podcasts based on what your friends are listening to, rather than having to search for new podcasts on your own.

The community interaction features also enhance the listening experience by allowing you to engage in discussions about the podcasts you’re listening to.

You can share your thoughts and opinions, hear what others have to say, and even connect with podcasters. These social features make listening to podcasts a more engaging and interactive experience.

Goodpods for Podcasters

Benefits for Podcasters

Goodpods offers several benefits for podcasters. One of the key benefits is the potential for audience growth. As Goodpods is a social network for podcast listeners, it provides a platform for podcasters to reach a wider audience.

When users share their favorite episodes with their friends, it can help podcasters gain new listeners. Additionally, it allows podcasters to interact with their listeners, which can help build a loyal audience.

Podcasters can also gain insights into their listeners’ behavior, such as which episodes are most popular, which can help them improve their content.

Finding New Listeners

Goodpods helps podcasters find new listeners in several ways.

Firstly, when users share their favorite episodes with their friends, it can help podcasters reach a wider audience.

It offers personalized recommendations based on users’ listening habits, which can help podcasters reach listeners who are likely to be interested in their content.

Lastly, Goodpods allows podcasters to interact with their listeners, which can help build a loyal audience and attract new listeners.

Interaction with Listeners

It facilitates interaction between podcasters and listeners. Podcasters can engage with their audience by responding to comments and participating in discussions about their podcasts.

This interaction can help podcasters build a loyal audience and gain valuable feedback on their content. By engaging with their listeners, podcasters can create a sense of community around their podcasts, which can help attract new listeners and retain existing ones.

Goodpods in the Spotlight

Recognition and Accolades

The app has received significant recognition and accolades for its innovative approach to podcast discovery. While specific awards and recognitions are not readily available online, it’s clear that the app has made a significant impact in the podcasting community.

Furthermore, co-founder JJ Ramberg has been recognized for her entrepreneurial efforts, including her work with Goodpods.

She was included in Inc.’s Female Founders 100 list. Such recognition speaks volumes about the leadership behind Goodpods and the app’s potential for continued success.

What Recognition Means for Goodpods

Obviously, recognition can significantly boost a company’s reputation. It can increase visibility, attract new users, and instill trust in potential users.

It can also attract potential investors, which can lead to increased funding and resources for further growth and development.

All win win’s for the future of Goodpods.

Goodpods Wrap Up

With its innovative approach, Goodpods is gracefully reshaping the podcast universe. The driving force behind its creation was an intention to address a pressing issue in the podcast world.

Notably, it’s found a distinctive way to fill a previously unmet need, blending the enjoyment of podcasts with the dynamic aspect of social discovery.

In essence, Goodpods is more than just a podcast app; it’s a social network for podcast enthusiasts.

Will it be able to compete with Apple and Spotify? Does the world really need another podcast listening app, OR social media app?

Time will tell.

But we think the folks at Goodpods are doing some great work and we’re excited to support them.