4 Design Tricks Used by the Top 100 Podcasters 

In this week’s episode of the Podcasting Secrets show, host Nathan Gwilliam interviewed Hayley Foster, a member of the marketing team at podcast hosting platform PodUp. Foster previously worked in marketing for restaurant chain P.F. Chang's before joining PodUp, where she has conducted fascinating research into what makes podcast cover art stand out and grab potential listeners' attention.

Hayley analyzed the cover art of the top 100 podcasts on Spotify charts over the course of a week to identify trends, best practices, and tricks utilized by the most popular shows to create eye-catching cover images. Her findings provide valuable insights for any podcaster looking to improve their cover art and attract more listeners. In this post, we'll break down four key design elements common among top podcast covers that you can incorporate to level up your own podcast's visual branding.

1. Utilize Bold, Contrasting Color Palettes

One of the most striking commonalities Foster observed in her research was the prevalent use of bold, high-contrast color schemes in the cover art of top podcasts. A full third of the podcasts analyzed featured black as the primary background color, and black was also the most frequently used secondary, tertiary, and accent color.

The most popular three-color palette was black, white, and red. This combination creates a visually arresting contrast that grabs the eye as a potential listener is scrolling through podcast listings or charts. White backgrounds with bold blue or yellow accents were another common palette that performed well.

Hayley recommends using no more than three main colors in your podcast cover to keep the design clean and easily "readable" at a glance. However, some popular podcasts successfully incorporated more than eight colors by utilizing illustrations and ensuring the overall design remained uncluttered. The key is being intentional with each color used and maintaining a balanced, bold aesthetic.

2. Keep Text Minimal and Highly Legible 

While it may be tempting to cram a ton of information onto your podcast cover, Hayley’s analysis revealed that when it comes to text, less is definitely more. Her primary recommendation is to stick to just your podcast's title, with no additional text beyond that, if possible.

The reasoning is that potential listeners are typically searching for podcasts by the title of the show itself, not the name of the host (unless you already have a well-known personal brand). Limiting the cover text to just the title allows you to use a larger font that will be easier to read, even at thumbnail sizes.

If you do opt to include additional text elements like a host’s name or tagline, keep them significantly smaller than the title text. Use a clean, simple font as well - a whopping 88% of the top podcast covers used bold, sans-serif fonts for maximum readability. And consider setting your text in all caps, as 83% of top podcasts did.

3. Incorporate Trendy Design Treatments

Hayley noted a few trendy, of-the-moment design flourishes that popped up frequently in her research. One was the use of a "glowing" effect on text elements, with the lettering appearing to be illuminated by a neon-esque light source. This ties in with the bold color palette recommendation, as the glow effect really makes the text seem to jump off the cover.

Another design element popular among top podcasts was the use of desaturated imagery. Black-and-white photos and full-color images that had been desaturated or muted were common. The low-contrast, somewhat washed-out images really made the bolder text elements and accent colors pop in contrast.

Consider trying one or both of these design trends in your podcast cover refresh. They lend a sleek, contemporary vibe that will help your cover feel fresh and current. You can even combine them for a showstopping effect, using a glowing text effect over a desaturated photo background.

4. Make Your Cover Art Instantly "Readable"

All of the design tips we've covered so far lead to this final overarching principle: your podcast cover should be easily "readable" and convey what your show is about at a single glance. Bold colors, minimal text, legible fonts, and on-trend design treatments all contribute to covers that are visually processed quickly and effortlessly.

More important than any specific color combination, font, or visual flourish is the instant impression your cover creates. Potential listeners should be able to tell what your podcast is about and what "vibe" they can expect within a second or two of seeing your cover in a lineup. Consider:

• Does the imagery relate to and support your title and subject matter? 
• Do your color palette and font choices match the tone/personality of the content?
• Is the overall composition balanced and easy to process visually?
• Does your cover stand out in a lineup while still fitting in with your niche/genre?

Periodically step back and look at your podcast cover with fresh eyes (or better yet, show it to some friends or family who aren't familiar with your show). Note what impressions it creates, whether it sparks interest or intrigue, and how well it communicates what your podcast offers.

Personal Cover Art Analysis

Hayley’s analysis of the cover art of today's most popular podcasts sheds light on the design building blocks hosts can use to create covers that stand out and entice. From bold colors to minimal text to trendy treatments, top podcasters employ an array of techniques to catch potential listeners' eyes and convey their shows' unique personalities at a glance.

Take a look at your own podcast cover with these key design principles in mind. Does it feature a bold, high-contrast color palette? Is the text pared down and legible even in small sizes? Could desaturated imagery or glowing effects give it a contemporary edge? Most importantly, does your cover art instantly communicate what your show is about in an intriguing, visually "readable" way?

If you see room for improvement (and let's be real, most of us probably do!), consider investing some time and/or resources into refreshing your podcast cover to incorporate these design tricks used by the biggest shows. A more eye-catching, on-brand cover can make a huge difference in attracting new listeners and communicating your podcast's unique value - so don't underestimate this important element of your show's visual branding.

Key Takeaways:

1. The most popular color palettes for podcast cover art are black, white, and red, followed closely by white backgrounds with blue or yellow accents.
2. The most common approach is to use three colors in the cover art design, as this keeps the design simple and easy on the eyes.
3. Bold colors are important for catching the listener's attention when scrolling through search results.
4. It is recommended that the cover art contain minimal text, focusing primarily on the podcast title for better readability and a cleaner look.
5. 88% of cover art uses sans serif fonts, which are more legible and easier to read than serif fonts.
6. White text is commonly used, particularly when paired with colorful or black backgrounds.
7. 83% of cover art features all uppercase letters in their fonts, which also contributes to better readability.
8. Unless the host is already famous, it's generally not recommended to use the host's name as the podcast title. Instead, focus on a title related to the show's topic.
9. Desaturated or black-and-white photos of the host are popular design elements, as they allow the text to stand out more prominently.

 

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Here’s the link to Hayley’s research: 

If you're looking for a great all-in-one podcasting platform with 35 integrated modules, you can get a free trial at PodUp.com. 

Thanks for joining us for this episode. I wish you success as you design your podcast cover art.