Popular podcasting service Podbean has become a favorite platform for QAnon influencers, hosting and distributing dangerous, conspiracy theory-laden podcasts. The hosting platform has become a key piece of infrastructure for the distribution of QAnon content even though it seemingly violates Podbean’s terms of service, as well as those of its billing processors.
The popular podcasting service appears to have done little to curb the hosting, distribution, and amplification of conspiracy theory content utilizing its platform, all while profiting from hosting fees.
Podbean also plays a prominent role in QAnon podcast distribution on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, which themselves have failed to take action on Media Matters’ previous reporting regarding their circulation of QAnon podcasts expressing support for the deadly January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Podbean’s role in the podcast distribution model (Podcasting 101)
Although casual podcast consumers may have never heard of Podbean, the platform plays a crucial role in the podcasting ecosystem -- and this is doubly true in the QAnon media space.
Contrary to popular belief, Apple's and Google's podcast platforms don’t actually host podcasts themselves. Instead, they act as distributors for content hosted by others. This means that in order to appear on these large platforms, podcasts must first have a separate hosting space. This is where Podbean comes in.
Podbean is one of the most popular podcast hosting and distribution services currently on the market, frequently utilized by amateurs and professionals alike. The platform is often favored by beginner podcasters owing to its low hosting fees and easy-to-use engagement analytics and export settings that enable distribution on both Podbean itself and other platforms such as Apple Podcasts.
Just as these services appeal to many aspiring podcasters, the ease of use, features, and low price point of Podbean attracts QAnon influencers looking for a convenient hosting method to spread their message. However, the real big draw for these users is Podbean’s lack of policy enforcement.
The QAnon conspiracy theory violates Podbean's terms of service
The QAnon conspiracy theory has served as a potent vector for misinformation ranging from election fraud conspiracy theories to COVID-19 denialism, predicated on the false belief that a prophetic insider posting on internet message boards was working in tandem with former President Donald Trump to take down a satanic cabal composed of global elites. The FBI has classified the conspiracy theory as a domestic terror threat and QAnon followers have been implicated in numerous acts of violence, including the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. QAnon podcasts have also been well-documented sources of extremist rhetoric, most notably expressing support of the Capitol riot.
Nevertheless, Podbean appears content to profit off of hosting QAnon influencers on its platform.
Hosting more than five podcast hours on Podbean requires a premium subscription, with most popular QAnon influencers hosting well above that number. Unlimited storage plans start at $9 per month and go up to $99 for additional features. Podbean also provides podcasters with a crowdfunding feature called Patron to receive recurring payments directly from listeners, which utilizes the Stripe payment processor. Podbean keeps 5% of the donation amount, while Stripe retains 2.9% plus $0.30 in fees on each transaction. Stripe previously cut ties with Trump's campaign website for violating its policies against encouragement of violence following the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Nominally, Podbean’s terms of use restrict podcasters from using its platform to “attempt to, or harass, abuse or harm another person or group.” Podbean’s terms likewise prohibit posting “information that is malicious, false or inaccurate” as well as content that is “defamatory, libelous, obscene, harassing, threatening, incendiary, abusive, racist, offensive, deceptive or fraudulent, encouraging criminal or harmful conduct.” Many QAnon followers and influencers have already been removed from other online platforms for violating similar policies against harassment and incitement of violence. But despite these rules, QAnon content creators choose Podbean because of its lack of enforcement of these policies, and they are willing to pay for the privilege.
QAnon’s extensive spread on Podbean
On first glance at the site’s “Discovery” page, Podbean appears to host and distribute the expected arrays of mainstream popular podcasts, ranging from popular news dailies, such as The New York Times’ The Daily and The Ben Shapiro Show, to true crime shows such as Crime Junkie, and everything in between. However, it doesn’t take long to discover QAnon’s prominence on the platform.
Under the “Popular Podcasts” section on Podbean’s Discovery page, two QAnon podcasts, X22 Reports and BardsFM, make the top 5, with far-right ideologue Stephen Bannon’s show, War Room: Pandemic, occupying the No. 1 position.
