Anchor
Anchor (now Spotify for Podcasters) is a podcast hosting and creation platform that enables individual creators and SMB broadcasters to record, distribute, and monetize audio and video podcasts through Spotify's global ecosystem of 675 million MAUs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Anchor does
Anchor is a podcast hosting and creation platform founded in 2015 in New York that was acquired by Spotify in 2019 and now operates as Spotify for Podcasters (rebranded under Spotify for Creators). The platform provides individual podcasters, content creators, and broadcasters with tools to record or upload high-quality audio and video, host unlimited episodes, customize show pages and video thumbnails, manage clips and comments, and track audience analytics. Core technology centers on ease-of-use creator tooling, integration with Spotify's distribution infrastructure enabling one-click distribution across platforms, and tight interoperability with Spotify's recommendation and discovery systems reaching 675 million monthly active users globally.
Anchor's business model combines creator-side monetization through the Spotify Partner Program (revenue sharing across audio and video) with advertising infrastructure (host-read ads, targeted podcast advertising via the Megaphone streaming ad insertion platform). Go-to-market is product-led/self-serve: creators sign up directly via the Spotify for Podcasters web portal or mobile apps (iOS App Store and Google Play), with no enterprise sales motion. The platform serves a horizontal long-tail of individual creators and SMB broadcasters rather than named enterprise accounts, leveraging Spotify's global distribution and the $28.6 billion podcast industry ecosystem as its primary growth driver.
As a wholly-owned Spotify subsidiary, Anchor benefits from over $10 billion in cumulative parent investment in podcasting (2019-2026) and is positioned as the primary creator onboarding funnel within Spotify's vertically integrated podcast stack that also includes Megaphone (advertising technology) and former exclusive-content acquisitions (Gimlet Media, Parcast). The company does not independently disclose financial metrics, and standalone revenue, headcount trends (listed at 11-50), and profitability are subsumed within Spotify's segment reporting.
Anchor firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Anchor
- Legal name
- Anchor
- Website
- https://anchor.fm
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Anchor (now Spotify for Podcasters) is a podcast hosting and creation platform that enables individual creators and SMB broadcasters to record, distribute, and monetize audio and video podcasts through Spotify's global ecosystem of 675 million MAUs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Anchor industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Podcast Hosting and Creation Platform
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Podcast Hosting Platforms (RSS, Analytics, Distribution) (MPACADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Podcast Ad Sales Networks & Monetization Platforms (MPACADAD), Podcast Analytics, Measurement & Attribution Platforms (MPAIADAL)
Keywords
Where Anchor is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Anchor business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Creator Monetization: Revenue sharing with creators through Spotify Partner Program, allowing podcasters to earn from their content across audio and video formats
- Advertising Revenue: Advertising technology infrastructure enabling targeted podcast advertising, including host-read ads with strong brand recall (71%)
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Anchor product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Anchor is a podcast creation, hosting, distribution, and monetization platform that enables individual creators to record, edit, upload, and distribute podcasts to major listening apps. Following its 2019 acquisition by Spotify, it now operates as Spotify for Creators (formerly Spotify for Podcasters), offering free tools plus monetization through the Spotify Partner Program.
Product overview
Spotify for Creators (formerly Anchor) operates as a unified podcast platform offering end-to-end creation, distribution, growth, and monetization tools. The platform combines the core Anchor podcast hosting service with Spotify's ecosystem, providing creators with distribution across Spotify and other platforms, audience growth tools, monetization via the Spotify Partner Program, and customization options for show pages and video thumbnails. Related products include Megaphone for advertising technology infrastructure.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Spotify for Creators (formerly Anchor)
- Spotify Partner Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 232% increase in podcast consumption since Joe Rogan deal
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Anchor
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Anchor technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Anchor partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Anchor PeriodonticsminorAtlanta Dental Assistant School operates its Marietta campus in partnership with Anchor Periodontics, providing students with hands-on clinical training at partner dental practices for the 12-week dental assistant program
- SpotifycoreSpotify acquired Anchor as part of its strategic transformation from music streaming to comprehensive audio platform, deploying over $800 million on podcast studios, distribution technology, and advertising infrastructure including Anchor, Gimlet Media, and Megaphone
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Anchor competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Simplecast: Podcast hosting and analytics platform owned by SiriusXM. Competes directly with Anchor on hosting, distribution, and audience analytics for professional creators and publishers.
- Buzzsprout: Leading independent podcast hosting platform offering unlimited uploads, distribution to major directories, and monetization tools. Direct competitor to Anchor in serving individual creators and SMBs who want easy podcast publishing.
- Castos: Podcast hosting platform with integrated YouTube republishing and monetization via Castos Ads. Direct alternative to Anchor, particularly for creators wanting multi-channel video and audio distribution.
- Transistor.fm: Premium podcast hosting platform popular with B2B brands and professional creators. Competes with Anchor on distribution, analytics, and multiple-show management, though at higher price points targeting a more professional segment.
- Libsyn (Liberated Syndication): One of the oldest podcast hosting platforms, providing hosting, distribution, monetization, and analytics. A veteran direct competitor to Anchor with broader enterprise and pro-creator tooling.
- Podbean: All-in-one podcast hosting and monetization platform with built-in ad marketplace and live audio features. Competes directly with Anchor on free/affordable hosting, monetization, and distribution for independent creators.
- RSS.com: Podcast hosting and distribution platform with AI-powered tools, monetization, and unlimited shows. Direct competitor to Anchor in the free/affordable hosting tier for independent creators.
Emerging players
- Riverside.fm: Video-first podcast and remote recording platform with studio-quality local recording and AI editing. Emerging competitor to Anchor in the rapidly growing video-podcast category, where Spotify is also pushing via the Partner Program.
Broad incumbents
- Amazon Music / Wondery: Amazon's audio ecosystem including Wondery (podcast studio) and Amazon Music's podcast tier. Competes with Anchor/Spotify for creator exclusivity, advertising spend, and listener attention at scale.
- Apple Podcasts (Apple): Apple's podcast platform and the dominant podcast directory globally. Competes with Anchor as the de facto discovery destination, with Apple Podcast Subscriptions providing a competing monetization layer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Anchor social profiles
Digital presenceAnchor financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Anchor leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Anchor funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Anchor M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Anchor
What does Anchor do?
Anchor is a podcast creation, hosting, distribution, and monetization platform that enables individual creators to record, edit, upload, and distribute podcasts to major listening apps. Following its 2019 acquisition by Spotify, it now operates as Spotify for Creators (formerly Spotify for Podcasters), offering free tools plus monetization through the Spotify Partner Program.
Is Anchor a public or private company?
Anchor is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Anchor founded?
Anchor was founded in 2015. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Anchor based?
Anchor is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Anchor make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Creator Monetization is the primary driver. The others are advertising Revenue.
Who are Anchor's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Simplecast, Buzzsprout, Castos, Transistor.fm, Libsyn (Liberated Syndication), Podbean and RSS.com. Riverside.fm is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Amazon Music / Wondery and Apple Podcasts (Apple).
Does Anchor have an API?
No public API is recorded for Anchor.
What industry is Anchor in?
Anchor's product category is Podcast Hosting and Creation Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACADAA, Podcast Hosting Platforms (RSS, Analytics, Distribution), with a secondary code of MPACADAD, Podcast Ad Sales Networks & Monetization Platforms. Its NAICS code is 51611 and its SIC code is 4832.