Podcasts. I like podcasts. You like podcasts (if not why are you reading this?). We all like podcasts. But podcasts are not simply a new form of online content, they are one of the few things that Big Tech hasn’t managed to take over.
Much of the internet is monopolized. If you want to make videos then you will have to publish them on YouTube. If you want to post pictures then you are stuck with Instagram. There may be other options, but you won’t be able to attract nearly as large of an audience.
Podcasts, however, are not controlled by monopolies. There are countless podcast apps to choose from. Podcasts use the RSS protocol, which is an open protocol that is free for anyone to use. This means that anyone can host podcasts if they have a web server. There are plenty of options for hosting a podcast. You can even host one from home with a Raspberry Pi.
Because podcasts are not monopolized, they are free from Big Tech’s whims. Podcast hosts don’t have to deal with YouTube helping themselves to a high percentage of ad revenue. They don’t have to worry about false Content ID claims or getting their account suspended for random reasons (I’m looking at you Twitch).
Unfortunately Big Tech is trying to get their hands on podcasts and their revenue. Spotify has begun purchasing podcasts and making them exclusive to their platform. Additionally, the number of big podcast networks is shrinking. Hopefully independent podcasting can survive. Otherwise podcasts will all be locked up in various streaming services.
Fortunately you can help stop Big Tech from taking over podcasts. Here is how:
- Stop streaming podcasts on apps that don’t let you add podcasts that aren’t listed in the app. This includes Spotify, Stitcher, and others.
- Don’t watch podcasts on YouTube.
- Instead use apps like Fountain, Castamatic, or Overcast.
That’s it. Just stop using platforms that seek to be monopolies.
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