Welcome aboard! Now that your show is officially live on Acast's marketplace, you’ve unlocked new ways to monetize your podcast and get discovered by advertisers.
This article walks you through what to expect, how to get set up for success, and how (and when) you’ll start earning revenue.
Set Up Your Marketplace Profile
First things first — it’s time to complete your Marketplace Profile. This is what brands and advertisers see when browsing for podcasts to sponsor, so it’s important to make a strong first impression. A polished profile helps introduce your show and its host(s) in the best light, and increases your chances of getting matched with relevant advertisers.
Place Your Ad Markers
Next, you’ll want to make sure your episodes have ad markers placed correctly, especially mid-roll markers. Mid-roll ads tend to generate the highest revenue, but they only work if you’ve set them up properly. If you’re not sure how to do this, we’ve got a quick guide to walk you through the process.
Going forward, be sure to include mid-roll ad markers in every new episode you publish — it’s one of the easiest ways to boost your earning potential.
Visibility on the Marketplace
Once your show is live on Acast's marketplace, it becomes visible to potential advertisers. They’ll be able to browse shows by category, audience demographics, and brand fit. If your show aligns with what they’re looking for, they can choose to run ads on it. From there, ads are dynamically inserted into your episodes — no extra work needed on your end.
How Revenue Is Calculated
Ad revenue on Acast's marketplace is calculated using CPM (cost per mille), which refers to the cost per 1,000 impressions. CPM rates vary by advertiser but generally range between $5 and $50. Factors like your show’s vertical, your audience demographics, and the markets your listeners are in all play a role in determining the final amount.
While we can’t give exact earnings projections (since campaigns are often spread across multiple shows), rest assured that our Ad Operations team is always working to maximize your revenue with each placement.
If you’re a smaller show, don’t be discouraged — many advertisers value niche audiences. We also recommend checking out our Help Center for tips on growing your audience and increasing your ad potential.
When Ads Start Running
Ads can begin running on your show as soon as your ad markers are in place and a matching campaign becomes available. That said, the timing will vary depending on the availability of ad inventory and how well your show aligns with current advertiser needs. Our team is constantly working to match shows with the right campaigns, so the best thing you can do is keep creating great content and make sure your profile and episodes are always up to date.
When You’ll Get Paid
Once your show generates at least $100 in ad revenue, you’ll receive an invoice from us with instructions on where to send your payment details. The invoice will include a breakdown of how many ads were served on your show and what your earnings are.
As a general benchmark, shows that reach around 5,000 monthly listens tend to see more consistent payouts — though this is by no means a requirement. Your actual earnings may vary based on the market your audience is in, your show’s content, and overall ad availability.
How to Track Your Earnings
You can track your estimated ad revenue in your Revenue Dashboard at any time. Just note that it may take up to 30 days for ad impressions to appear, so if you don’t see immediate results after ads begin running, that’s totally normal.
Still Have Questions?
We’re here to help! If you have any questions or need support, just reach out via the chat box in your dashboard.