I tend to listen to the ads when the host of the podcasts reads them through because they’re short and unobtrusive, but I’d skip right over interstitials. I’m not in the market for a Squarespace or Casper mattress and tune them out, but sometimes some of the services or products advertised on certain podcasts do catch my ear because they’re somewhat related to the editorial content.
For example, 99% Invisible advertises e-commerce sites that sell design-focused furniture and fixtures, and chances are I’ll check them out when the time comes to buy. The host also gives the mattress and Web site builder ads a design spin. Context and relevance are really the keys to digital advertising that converts to sales.
