Case Study: Podcast Evaluation Survey

A unique survey design to measure audience sentiment during audio playback

eRaay Jan 6, 2026

Introduction

In 2024, we designed and conducted a Podcast Evaluation Survey to understand how listeners respond emotionally to audio content. The study combined structured survey questions with real-time sentiment tracking while participants listened to podcast episodes.

Survey Design

The survey had two main components:

Podcast Evaluation: Participants listened to a set of 4 podcast audio clips.
Randomized Question Sets: After listening, users answered randomized survey questions to capture unbiased feedback.

Methodology

To capture real-time responses, we implemented an interactive audio-sentiment slider. Participants could adjust the slider while listening, indicating their moment-to-moment reactions. The system logged sentiment values at every second and plotted them on a live chart.

Key features included:

Sentiment slider (0–10 scale) synchronized with the podcast audio

Real-time data capture with timestamps for each sentiment change

Automatic inactivity detection that paused the audio after 30 seconds of no engagement

Prevention of timeline manipulation — if the listener skipped, the audio restarted

Data visualization using a dynamic Chart.js line graph

Key Findings

Real-time sentiment tracking gave deeper insights than static survey ratings

Listeners showed noticeable peaks of engagement during storytelling segments

The inactivity pause feature improved data quality by ensuring active participation

Randomized question sets reduced bias and provided varied perspectives

Insights & Analysis

The approach demonstrated how interactive feedback tools can transform traditional surveys. Instead of relying solely on recall-based responses, we captured live, emotional reactions that reflected audience engagement more accurately. This provided richer insights for creators, marketers, and researchers studying audience behavior.

Conclusion

The Podcast Evaluation Survey successfully combined audio content with interactive sentiment tracking. By merging survey design with real-time behavioral data, we achieved a more holistic view of listener experience. This methodology can be adapted to evaluate ads, speeches, training materials, or any audio content where emotional impact is critical.