How do you track # of listeners?

[enlightenedspartan]

I've got sitemeter to track number of visitors to my website... but how do I track the number of podcast listeners? Is there a way to track how many times the mp3 file is accessed (either via the website or via xml link in aggregator)? Any suggestions?

My hosting site (doteasy) shows bandwidth, which gives me some sense, but when I post other photos, etc., it can throw it off.

Thanks

[Illinoise]

You might try directing your feed through feedburner:

http://www.feedburner.com

It seems to be the best thing out there for podcast stats so far.

P.S. How 'bout them Illini, spartan? :twisted:

[enlightenedspartan]

Thanks!

Yeah, I'd say Illinois is definitely #1. Very impressive... their worst game is better than most teams' best.

Matter of fact, MSU is very similar -- difference is that Illinois' top 5 can just flat out shoot. Their off games are very rare.

If there was any team I'[d compare them to, it would actually be the MSU team with Mateen Cleaves from 2000... but, the undefeated bug is haunting. I say Final Four for sure, but not sure if they can go undefeated all the way.

But I guess someone will do it someday.

Thanks again for the pointers!

ES

[enlightenedspartan]

Illinoise: OK. Now I've created a new subscription to feedburner (my GOD, I need a notebook to track how many internet subscriptions/services I have these days). I'm updating my xml feeds to the new feedburner URL so I can record subscribers...

New question: is there a way to include in the count those who download the mp3 directly from the website? I'm guessing NO.

also: how can you find out how many votes have been recorded for your podcast on podcastalley.com?

Thanks -- ES

[bigee]

My site is hosted by www.bluehost.com, and they have a stats page that has a wonderful array of stats on your site, from the last 300 visitors, to graphs and charts on who's been to the site, and where they went once they are there.
AND you get 75GB of bandwidth a month. Not too shabby for $8/month.

My 2 cents.....

[camilian]

I should also point out that hits to a feed does not mean the mp3 was listened to. There are many "podcatchers" that ping the feed looking for an update and that would equal a hit. Just an example, my feed gets hit 3,000 - 10,000 times a day, but each show is only downloaded 300 - 700 times. (Except for days when I am featured on another webpage).

Bigee that is a great price for what you get. I am using lunarpages and get about the same for $22. Do they have a cap on daily bandwidth? How long have you been with them, and have they had any downtime?

[Funtime Ben]

I just switched my podcast hosting to LibSyn and they have an ugly stats page - but it not only shows how many folks are subscribed, but how many times the podcast has been downloaded. very cool service!

[robulon]

And it's currently in the process of being upgraded ;)

Rob

[notyourusualbollocks]

Yes - LibSyn is a fantastic service. No gripes. Tell me, has anyone using LibSyn seen some really weird Nimiq download stats? Like a MASSIVE number of subscribers but very small downloads? I'm talking in the many thousands here.

MK
Not Your Usual Bollocks Alternative Radio Show - Direct from London
www.notyourusualbollocks.squarespace.com

[camilian]

The LibSyn site is very light on information. Do they allow you to run php scripts? Do they have a Mysql connection? I require these.

[bigee]

Bigee that is a great price for what you get. I am using lunarpages and get about the same for $22. Do they have a cap on daily bandwidth? How long have you been with them, and have they had any downtime?[/quote]

As far as I know, no daily limits apply. I think I got a bit better price because I signed up for a year, but still, it's one of the highest bandwidth hosts that I found, with a lot of great tools.

[SledHead Radio]

TrackPro by Curve2 Design to track site traffic and the stupid, almost worthless Webalizer program with our host.

Nick

[enlightenedspartan]

OK, so am I making a mistake by reworking my links, now I'm pointing people to my feedburner as the URL for the podcast instead of my original xml file? Or, is what I have acceptable? (obviously, I will continue to update the xml with new podcasts, but I'm wondering if I should have created a feedburner at all)...

What is the best practice?

Thanks --

signed, confused in Michigan

[Cookiepuss]

I use Hostony (http://hostony.com). They offer CPanel, 100GB transfer, 5000MBs space, 10 top level domains hosted, unlimted everything else pretty much including mySQL/Postgress databases, subdomains, etc.

All for $12.85 a month. But you have to pay for 6 months in advance. But $77 is still a good deal! I have used them a while now and great support, uptime, scripting and htaccess (mod_rewrite etc) support.

So that is my experience on the subject. . .it says on their site the offer expires and has a countdown but it recycles every night. ;)

[enlightenedspartan]

Hey, I think I've got the feedburner thing all figured out. Pretty cool stats; it's real helpful stuff.

Now, I guess the only thing is this dang bandwidth issue. Hostony looks to be a pretty good gig. I'm using doteasy right now at $45/6 months with 20 GB bandwidth and 1 GB harddrive... but looks iike I'm gonna need a power boost to keep up, and a switchover is likely.

thanks for the input.

PS - the new voting set up is cool; now I can see how many votes I've had...