5 Tips To Create the Perfect Podcast Title in 2024

Crafting the ideal name for your podcast is not easy. With over two million podcasts as of 2022, your title needs to instantly tell listeners what your show is about while intriguing them enough to subscribe.

A survey on podcast discovery found that 38.1% of podcast listeners discover new podcasts on-platform (e.g. on Spotify, Apple Podcasts) by using the search bar or browsing. Naturally, the title is what they see first.

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Perfecting your podcast’s name should be your number one priority before publishing.

This guide will walk through proven tactics to create podcast titles that attract listeners. Follow these five key tips to name your show like a veteran podcaster.

Why Your Podcast Title Matters More Than You Think

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Your podcast title sets first impressions and expectations for new listeners. The right title makes a successful launch and growth more likely.

Here’s why every word in your podcast’s name counts:

Defines Genre / Topic Focus

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A good podcast title should clearly tell listeners:

• The overall niche or category
• The specific topic focus
• The style or angle 

For example, “The Daily True Crime Podcast” instantly shares the genre (true crime). Listeners can also expect new real crime case episodes daily.

Without setting expectations for genre and topic upfront in the title, listeners may start listening only to find it does not match their interests.

In a 2019 survey, 29% of respondents said they unsubscribed from a podcast because they disliked the topics discussed. Don’t lose listeners by failing to set content expectations with a descriptive title.

Boosts Discoverability

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The podcast gold rush has increased competition for listener attention. Apple Podcasts alone sees over 1,750 new podcast launches per week.

To stand out, a podcast title must be:

• Search-optimized - Use keywords listeners search for when finding shows on topics they like, such as “health”, “business”, “true crime”, etc. Also optimize for long-tail keyword searches with phrases, like “Australian True Crime Podcast”.
• Attention-grabbing - Spark curiosity with strange-but-true stories (“You Won’t Believe This Podcast”) or tease mysterious unsolved cases (“The Killer Unsolved”).’

Without strong SEO and intriguing hooks in your title, a podcast can easily get lost. Few listeners will find it.

Protip: Another way to boost discoverability is through repurposing. You can do this with tools like Deciphr AI which automates the act for you. Get 10+ repurposed content to promote your show, all in a click.

Sets Brand Expectations

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Establish host, network, or publication credibility through title branding. For example:

• “Oprah’s Master Class”
• “The New York Times’ The Daily”
• “The Joe Rogan Experience”

Use your host’s fame or a known media brand in the title. This way listeners immediately recognize the source of information by subscribing.

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Shapes Listener Perception

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An accurate, appealing podcast title subconsciously trains listener behaviors. Consider:

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• How many current listeners saw the title first and felt intrigued enough to start playing episodes?
• Does your title make casual listeners expect quality content ahead?

Scrolling past generic podcast names offers no reason for listeners to start tuning in.

But an investigative name like “Unexplained Mysteries Solved by An Ex Detective” promises hard-hitting cases by a credible expert host.

Even a short podcast title creates first impressions that can make or break gaining subscribers.

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Determining the Ideal Podcast Title Length

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Brevity is best when titling podcasts:

• Stick to 50-60 characters (including spaces) for the primary title
• Optionally add a 100-character subtitle

Here’s why shorter podcast titles work.

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Ensures Full Title Shows 

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Long titles often get truncated by podcast platforms. For example, Spotify cuts off podcast titles longer than 60 characters in podcast profiles.

Keep titles to the 60-character limit. This way listeners always see your full title wherever they access podcasts.

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Prevents Overwhelming Listeners

Lengthy titles also risk confusing listeners instead of explaining your purpose.

For example:

❌ “The Casual Vegan’s Guide to Part-Time Plant-Based Eating for New Vegans & Curious Carnivores Discussing Easy, Delicious Recipes”

It’s simply too much for listeners to digest. Tighten wordy podcast titles down to the core focus:

✅ “The Casual Vegan Cooking Podcast”

Get to the heart of what your show is about while keeping your podcast title simple to scan.

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Allows Flexibility for Subtitles

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A shorter main title gives room to add descriptive subtitles under 100 characters.

Subtitles introduce related keywords, hosts, etc while keeping the primary name tight:

• Main Title: “Crime Scene Investigations”
• Subtitle: “True Crime Stories Told By Former Homicide Detectives”

Subtitles effectively extend titles without compromising clarity.

Read More: Finding The Best Podcast Length For Your Audience

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5 Tips for Creating the Perfect Podcast Title

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Here are five strategies to create irresistible titles:

1. Use a Podcast Title Generator

Don’t agonize if that perfect podcast title doesn’t immediately come to mind. Podcast title generators offer great inspiration by suggesting smart keyword and phrase combinations relevant to your niche.

How podcast title generators work:

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1. Enter important keywords based on your podcast topic, genre, etc
2. Set filters like title length and rating for maturity
3. Generate dozens of computer-suggested titles to consider
   
   

Scan proposed titles. Note interesting phrases to possibly adapt for your title.

Handy podcast title generators to try:

• PodcastNameGenerator
• Namelix
• Shopify’s Business Name Generator

Review computer ideas judiciously. Embrace intriguing combinations you may not have considered. Blend and customize until you have a final catchy yet clear title.

2. Include Relevant Keywords in Your Podcast Title

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Work important niche keywords into your podcast name to attract aligned listeners.

How? Determine which genre descriptors and searchable topics have enough demand. Tools like Google’s Keyword Planner reveal keyword popularity and search volumes.

Anything with 100+ searches merits consideration for title integration.

When adding target terms into podcast names:

✅Use natural phrasing: “True Crime Stories Uncovered”

❌Avoid awkward stuffing: “Health, Diet, Nutrition Podcast”

✅Match query intent: “True Crime Stories Uncovered” (matches informational search for podcast titles on crimes)

❌Don’t misalign: “Uncover the Truth About True Crime” (mismatches entertainment-seeking intent)

Only force keywords if the phrasing flows well. Keep it conversational to avoid turning off listeners.

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3. Examine Popular Titles in Your Genre for Inspiration

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Research what’s worked for leading podcasters in your niche before drafting titles.

• What common themes or title formulas do you notice in top podcasts in your genre?
• Which elements engage subscribers?

Pull inspiration from peers, then offer your unique twist.

For example:

• Many top true crime podcasts follow “True Crime + Hot Topic” naming: “Crime Junkie”, “Murdaugh Murders Podcast”, and “Dr. Death”
• Leading political commentary podcasts brand the host’s experience & style: “The Ben Shapiro Show”, “The Dan Bongino Show”
• Several mainstream health podcasts make the host a ‘guru’: “The Nutrition Diva”, “Fat-Burning Man”, “MindPump”

Study what already magnetizes listeners in the genre, then put your own spin. This can be through distinct hosts, niche topics, unique angles, or podcast title personalization.

4. Optimize Your Title for Search Discovery

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Consider actual listener search queries and model title phrasing accordingly. Here’s how:

1. Research listeners’ searches with these handy tools:

• Google’s “Autocomplete” - reveals the exact terms listeners search
• ‍Answer the Public - builds word clouds of common podcast search phrases
• ‍Ubersuggest’s Keyword Finder - explore demand for title term searches

2. Model popular searches in your title. Integrate words or long-tail phrases people search into your SEO title. For example, instead of using the podcast title “True Crime Scene”, do this:

✅ Use listened search queries: Unraveling Hollywood’s Dark True Crime Mysteries

✅ Keep core branding while optimizing: Crime Scene - Hollywood Homicide Mysteries Unraveled

This matches how listeners actually find shows, driving more clicks.

5. Make Your Title Descriptive Yet Intriguing

Strike the right balance between informative and provocative wording.

❌ Vagueness loses clarity: “Curiosities”

❌ Too clinical sounds dull: “Sleep Science Factcasts”

❌ Overkill intrigue seems gimmicky: “Bizarre Unsolved Supernatural Mysteries”

Instead, instantly tell listeners the high-level topic while tempting them to start the first episode.

✅ “Mysteries of Lost Civilizations”

✅ “Business Scholars Roundtable”

Offer just enough detail on the central topic. At the same time, whet listener appetite to dive into full episodes.

Read More: Podcast Titles and Descriptions 101

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Common Podcast Title Mistakes to Avoid

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Creating titles with punch is an iterative process. Steer clear of these common pitfalls:

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Don’t Use Vague, Overly Clever Titles

Puzzle-like titles that offer no real topic clues will confuse more than intrigue.

For example:

❌ “Strange Tales”

❌ “The Rabbit Hole”

❌ “Off the Chain”

Why ambiguity backfires:

➡️ Sets no content expectations - listeners feel deceived if actual topic doesn’t match

➡️ No SEO specificity - vague titles rank poorly, preventing discovery

➡️ Lacks branding - no host or company familiarity

Save cryptic intrigue for select episode titles only after you’ve hooked listeners with a clearly branded show.

Don’t Make Your Podcast Title Too Long

We covered why short, tight titles matter earlier. But long names still trip podcasters up.

For example:

❌ “The Casual Vegan’s Guide to Part-Time, Plant-Based Eating for New Vegans & Curious Carnivores Discussing Easy, Delicious Recipes” (64 words)

❌ “Dark Stories of the Paranormally Unexplained” (12 words)

How long titles overwhelm:

➡️ Truncation across platforms - Spotify, Stitcher, etc cut titles over 60 characters

➡️ Hard to remember or pronounce - listeners can’t name your show accurately to friends

➡️ Keyword stuffing - excessive packing of terms is spammy

Remember, clear and tight is key:

✅ “The Casual Vegan Cooking Podcast”

✅ “Paranormal Mysteries”

Don’t Forget Branding in Your Podcast Title

Build name recognition by calling out:

• Your hosting experts
• Your media brand
• Your company

For example:

• “Oprah and Eckhart Tolle: A New Earth”
• “NPR’s RadioLab”
• “The GaryVee Audio Experience”

Why branding builds authority and trust:

➡️ Hosts as influencers like Oprah or Gary Vee attract followers

➡️ Reputable media affiliations establish credibility

➡️ Company names spark sponsor curiosity

Branded, pedigree titles convince wary listeners your show deserves their time.

6 Best Podcast Title Examples (+ Why They Work)

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Here are great examples of compelling titles across every major podcast genre:

Comedy: Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

Subtitle: Join Conan and his famous friends for candid, hilarious conversations.

Why it works

• Describes show premise concisely
• Popular host builds instant draw
• Subtitle explains the guest angle clearly

True Crime: Crime Junkie

Why it works:

• Simple, perfectly descriptive
• Signals the ‘crime’ niche focus
• ‘Junkie’ adds personality matching devoted listeners

Business: The GaryVee Audio Experience

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Why it works

• Optimizes for Gary Vaynerchuk’s key entrepreneurial audience with a personal brand
• Hints at helpful lessons from his real experiences that fans want

Music: Dolly Parton’s America

Subtitle: Why is Dolly Parton such an icon? Every episode, we’ll bring you closer to the answer.

Why it works:

• Legend branding captures music fans
• Broad ‘America’ concept hints at cultural stories beyond songs
• Subtitle clearly conveys the biographical angle

Health: The Model Health Show

Why it works:

• Suggests host is an exemplar model of health
• The word ‘Show’ signals an ongoing content series rather than a limited run

Fiction: Welcome to Night Vale

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Why it works:

• Unique ominous town name instantly sparks dark curiosity
• Ties to popular sci-fi/horror podcast style
• Doesn’t waste characters unnecessarily explaining the premise when show notes do that

Handy Tools for Creating Podcast Titles

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Additional resources to assist with crafting the perfect podcast name:

🟢 Podcast Titles Analyzer

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Paste your working title to gauge its overall search optimization, length checks, and preview truncation across platforms.

Tweak based on feedback for the strongest meta title.

🟢 Title Capitalization Tool

Properly capitalize words in podcast titles per AP style guidelines automatically:

Before:

the best self help stories podcast

After:

The Best Self Help Stories Podcast

🟢 Free Logo Design Generators

Most podcast pros recommend securing complementary logo artwork to reinforce titles.

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Resources like Shopify’s logo generator help create basic branding visuals to paired with your verbal title.

Now you’re ready to craft the perfect podcast name.

Starting a podcast? Here are 5 vital factors to consider for podcast development.

Wrapping Up

Developing an effective podcast title requires thoughtful tactics. Exceptional titles are not magic bullets that guarantee success. But they do significantly impact:

✅ Setting genre and topic expectations

✅ Driving critical organic discovery through SEO

✅ Hinting at host personality to form connections

✅ Training listener behaviors and perceptions

With this guide's tips, you have a framework for better titles by:

✅ Studying category leader examples

✅ Using title generators to spark ideas

✅ Researching real listener search terms

✅ Balancing clarity with intrigue

As you refine, ensure your final title:

✅ Communicates your core topic

✅ Has proper branding

✅ Includes SEO hooks

Don't over-perfect one static title either. Evolve it iteratively while building your audience after launch. 

Keep in mind: The greatest success comes down to delivering captivating episodes. An alluring title attracts initial interest, but only great content earns lasting loyal listeners over time. Focus on consistently producing quality content, and the right title match to capture potential fans.

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