Audio marketing is poised to dominate in 2025, driven by our increasingly multitasking lifestyles and the desire to reduce screen time. A staggering 74% of podcast listeners engage with content while performing other tasks, such as commuting, exercising, or doing household chores.(1) This trend aligns perfectly with the growing preference for audio-based entertainment and information consumption. As we seek to balance productivity with personal development, audio content allows us to learn, be entertained, and stay informed without being tethered to a screen. The shift is particularly pronounced among Gen Z, with 55% of this demographic listening to podcasts monthly,(2) indicating a strong preference for audio-based media consumption.
Moreover, the push to decrease screen time is gaining momentum across all age groups, with audio offering a compelling alternative. By 2025, it’s projected that digital audio ad spending will reach $7.89 billion in the US alone,(3) reflecting marketers’ recognition of audio’s growing importance. This surge in audio marketing isn’t limited to traditional formats like podcasts and streaming music. Even video-centric platforms are experiencing a shift, with many users “watching” YouTube videos, Reels, or TikToks by simply listening to the audio while multitasking. This behavior opens up vast opportunities for marketers to capitalize on audio-first strategies, ensuring their messages resonate with audiences who are increasingly listening rather than watching.
(1) Edison Research, “The Infinite Dial 2023”
(2) Statista, “Share of consumers who listen to podcasts monthly in the United States as of 2023, by age group”
https://www.adweek.com/partner-articles/how-interactive-ads-are-shaking-up-audio-ad-technology/
(3) eMarketer, “US Digital Audio Ad Spending, 2021-2025”
https://themarketingmillennials.com/articles/2024-08-22/is-audio-the-1-channel-for-2025/
