Podcasts now included in Altmetric scores
Digital Science has announced that Altmetric has added a new attention source: Podcasts. Altmetric is the first in the world to include podcasts among its measures of research impact.
Podcasts will now be reflected in the distinctive Altmetric Badges – appearing as a purple colour – as well as in Altmetric Attention Scores, with more detail displayed in Altmetric Explorer. In addition to podcasts, Altmetric’s many attention sources include select social media channels, news, blogs, public policy sites, patents, clinical guidelines, and more.
Miguel Garcia, VP of Product, Digital Science, said: “Altmetric is about tuning in to where research conversations are really happening, and understanding how that research is being received, discussed, debated, and shared. A complete view of research influence isn’t possible without podcasts.
“With Altmetric podcast tracking, we recognise that these real-world conversations play a critical role in shaping public understanding and acceptance of research. Podcasts add rich, narrative-driven evidence to the impact story, offering a more complete view of research influence across scholarly, professional, and public domains.
“With more than half a billion people listening to podcasts for information, and at a time when podcasts are growing as a communication and educational platform, we feel the moment is right to include these conversations as an attention source. Publishers, academics, industry, governments, and funders will all now benefit from better understanding the impact of research.”
Digital Science says all user segments within the research ecosystem will benefit from Altmetric’s podcast tracking:
- Academics: Strengthen submissions that demonstrate the real-world impact and influence of research
- Enterprise: Identify emerging Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and track therapeutic-area conversations, even outside traditional publishing
- Publishers: Highlight where journals are discussed in accessible, mainstream forums that boost author engagement
- Funders: Ensure research funded is making an impact in broader public discourse, justifying investment