What loudness targets are best for podcasts distributed across multiple platforms?

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What loudness targets are best for podcasts distributed across multiple platforms?

Asked on Nov 06, 2025

Answer

When distributing podcasts across multiple platforms, it's crucial to maintain consistent loudness levels to ensure a pleasant listening experience. The industry standard loudness target for podcasts is typically around -16 LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale), which balances clarity and comfort across various devices and environments.

Example Concept: The loudness target of -16 LUFS is widely accepted in podcasting to ensure uniform audio levels across platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. This standard helps maintain a consistent listening experience, preventing listeners from adjusting volume frequently. By adhering to this target, podcasters can achieve optimal vocal clarity and listener engagement.

Additional Comment:

LUFS is a measure of perceived loudness, which is more listener-friendly than traditional peak measurements.
Consistent loudness helps prevent listener fatigue and maintains professional audio quality.
Use audio editing software to measure and adjust your podcast's loudness to meet the -16 LUFS target.
Consider using a limiter to prevent audio peaks from exceeding 1 dBTP (decibels true peak) to avoid distortion.

✅ Answered with Podcasting best practices.

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