Search Engine Unlocked: The State of Search Engine 2025
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Dec 12, 2025 The team shares insights from their unique board meeting, diving into the challenges of podcasting in today's landscape. They discuss their commitment to long-form audio despite the lure of video and big budgets. Metrics reveal growth patterns, and their top episodes highlight the value of returning advertisers. Excitingly, a series has been optioned for a feature film! They also explore the use of AI in production and the balance between narrative structure and conversation, all while reminiscing about cherished, unfinished ideas.
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Say No Without A Creative Path
- Don't take large network money without a clear creative path that preserves your show's identity.
- Only pursue formats (like video) if you can make work that feels as good as your current show.
Listener Funding Buoys Independent Production
- Listener support now funds a meaningful portion of the show's budget and stabilizes its independence.
- That funding lets the team prioritize making work for people, not algorithms.
Experiment Separately, Keep Your Core
- Pilot experiments outside your core product but don't rebrand the original.
- Run separate video experiments while keeping Search Engine an audio-first show.