Social Podcasting: Levels of Podcast Audience Participation

This research investigates social podcasting, focusing on the evolution of audience participation from passive consumption to active participation. Unlike traditional podcasts, social podcasting empowers listeners to contribute creatively, transforming them from consumers to co-creators. The research question “What are the levels of audience participation on the basis of produsage principles in social podcasting?” is addressed by developing a five-level model of participation. Analysis of 81 podcasts reveals that genuine participatory acts remain scarce, with many podcasts not progressing beyond basic interaction. The study highlights the potential for podcasts to foster community through participatory models and collaborative content creation.