Audio content is more powerful than ever in 2025. In a noisy digital world where attention is limited, audio stands out as an engaging, on-the-go format that meets people where they are.
But creating quality audio that captures attention and delivers value takes more than just hitting “record.” Whether you're building an app or enhancing an existing experience, understanding the strategy behind great audio is key.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what audio content is, why it’s booming in 2025, and how to create compelling audio that captures attention and delivers value.
What is Audio Content?
Audio content is information or storytelling experienced through sound instead of text or visuals.
Unlike visual media, which requires full focus, audio content integrates effortlessly into daily routines. This makes it ideal for on-the-go or multitasking moments.
A good example of effective audio content are location-based audio guides and tours.
Using geofencing technology, these guides automatically play relevant information when visitors enter specific areas.
This means you hear about an artwork exactly when you're standing in front of it, or learn about a historical event precisely where it happened.
Other examples of audio content include podcasts, audio ads, voice assistants, smart speaker skills, and audiobooks. Each format takes advantage of audio's unique ability to inform and entertain without requiring visual focus.
Why Audio Content is Booming
The audio renaissance isn't happening in a vacuum. Several converging factors have created the perfect conditions for audio content to thrive.
Accessibility
Audio content makes information easier to access for people with visual impairments, reading challenges, or learning differences.
For many, it's not just helpful — it's essential. Tools like text-to-speech can now turn written content into audio, helping websites and apps become more inclusive.
For example, The Walt Disney Family Museum uses audio guides to make their exhibits more engaging and accessible.
This shows how museums can stay true to their mission while creating a more welcoming experience for a wider audience.
Growth in Smart Speakers, Podcasts, and On-the-Go Media
Smart speakers are now common in many homes. Reports show that more than 85% of American households own at least one voice-activated device. This shows how much listening habits have changed in recent years.
Podcast listening is also on the rise. Market.us Scoop reports that 41% of Americans listen to podcasts every month.
Back in 2008, that number was only 9%. Audiobook sales are growing too, with double-digit increases year after year.
Shift Toward Multitasking-Friendly Content
Today’s consumers are looking for content they can enjoy while doing other things. Audio stands out because it lets people listen and learn without needing to stop what they’re doing.
For example, a morning jog can be a chance to catch up on industry news. Even walking through a museum can be more engaging with an audio guide that shares stories and context along the way.
Screen-Free Consumption
As more people become aware of digital wellness, many are looking for ways to cut back on screen time without losing access to information or entertainment.
Audio content is a great solution. It lets people stay connected and engaged without needing to stare at a screen.
Parents especially see the value in this. Audio is often a healthier choice than video for kids. It sparks imagination and encourages children to picture the story in their minds, which helps with creative thinking and active listening.
Unlike screens, which can lead to passive watching, audio invites kids to use their own imagination to bring stories to life.
Emotional Engagement
The human voice carries nuance, emotion, and personality that text alone cannot convey.
When we hear someone speak, we catch tone, emotion, and personality. These subtle cues, like pacing and emphasis, help us understand the message on a deeper level.
For example, podcast hosts often build loyal followings not just because of what they say, but how they say it. The experience of someone speaking directly into your ears feels personal and engaging.
Audio guides work the same way. In tourism, for instance, the Great Rides audio guide app helps cyclists navigate routes through towns, vineyards, and scenic countryside.
The use of real voices adds warmth and character, making the journey feel more guided and memorable. It turns a simple ride into a rich storytelling experience.
What Industries Benefit from Audio Content?
Many industries can significantly benefit from incorporating audio content into their strategies. Here are some key examples:
Museums and Cultural Institutions
For museums and cultural institutions, audio content has transformed from a nice-to-have amenity into an essential component of visitor experience.
Self-guided audio tours allow visitors to explore at their own pace and engage deeply with exhibits while keeping their focus on the artifacts.
What's particularly valuable is how audio transcription enhances accessibility. By providing written versions of audio content, museums ensure their information reaches visitors with hearing impairments.
Tour Operators
The tourism industry has embraced audio as a way to enhance visitor experiences while reducing staffing requirements. GPS-triggered audio guides allow visitors to explore at their own pace while receiving professional narration that brings locations to life.
Investing in audio guides means no need to hire or train additional staff.
Moreover, since most audio guides offer multiple languages, they can overcome language barriers and make the experience accessible to a wider audience.
Bike and Micromobility Operators
An emerging application for audio content comes from the micromobility sector. Companies operating bike and scooter sharing programs have begun incorporating audio instructions for safety, navigation, and city information.
Audio is ideal for micromobility because it keeps eyes on the road while still delivering critical information.
Education and Training
Educational institutions and corporate training departments have embraced audio learning for its flexibility and effectiveness.
Audio modules allow students and employees to learn during commutes or other transition times, effectively expanding the available hours for education.
Parks and Outdoor Attractions
Public parks, heritage sites, and other outdoor attractions are increasingly turning to audio content to share history, context, and storytelling without the need for printed signage or staff guides.
For example, visitors can scan a QR code or approach a GPS-triggered zone to hear stories, historical facts, or natural highlights directly on their phones. This helps sites share information more easily and reach more people without needing extra equipment.
How to Create Quality Audio Content for Your App
Of course, the visitor experience depends on the quality of your audio content. Here’s how to produce something that will satisfy visitors.
1. Prioritize which site stops need audio
Depending on the purpose of your app, you might not have the time or resources to make audio content for every stop.
If you’re creating an app for an art exhibit, you might create a track for an introduction to the exhibit, a biography, and for the artist’s most popular works.
For things that didn’t make the cut, you can create pages with text and images, so you can still avoid clunky placards.
2. Research interesting facts and details
Create a document with one section for every audio track.
Write notes about what to include, and do extra research to find out historical facts, funny stories, or whatever else will appeal to your target audience.
Try to avoid adding information that might change. Put those in text, so you can easily edit them.
3. Write and edit your scripts
After you’ve gathered all of the details you need for each track, it’s time to write your script out.
Hone in on the drafts by reading them out loud. You can even record them on your phone and computer, and listen back.
Also, if you’re working as a team, make sure you get the scripts approved by all stakeholders before recording to prevent do-overs.
4. Record your voice
You may use your smartphone to record. Every smartphone has a built-in recording feature, making it easy to quickly capture your voice. Just make sure there are no background noises, as the microphone will pick them up.
Many phones save recordings as MP4 files, so you’ll need to upload them to your computer and convert them to MP3 files.
You can also use a microphone on your computer. Good quality microphones can be found for around $30-80. The Snowball Ice microphone is popular among podcasters and audio creators.
Just plug it in and record your voice using Windows Media Player or any of the software programs listed below to mix your audio tracks.
5. Edit and trim audio files as needed
Even if you try your best to record tracks in one go, you will likely still need to trim the ends of each file. You might also need to stitch segments together, if you took breaks between recording.
You can use a free audio editor such as Ocenaudio or Audacity.
6. Consider adding subtle sound effects
Think about your target audience and the experience you want to create.
Does it make sense to add any audio effects? Maybe your museum has a documentary that you’re licensed to use, and you can include a snippet of the subject talking. Or maybe you can include a small clip of a musician’s music.
You can also source stock audio like chimes or applause to provide a more immersive experience. Of course, less is more, so practice discernment.
7. Convert your audio if needed
You will need to convert your audio files to MP3 format before uploading them to your app builder.
There are lots of free internet software programs that allow you to easily convert batches of audio files.
Our favorite is Switch by NCH with an easy interface and ability to convert to/from over 40 audio formats including wav, mp3, wma, m4a, ogg, avi, mid, flac, mov, amr, aac, au, aif, raw, dvf, vox, cda, gsm, dss, wmv and lots more. You can also use Online Convert, which is a free tool.
When converting your audio files for use on a smartphone app, always render to a low bitrate possible without sacrificing quality so that the files will take up less space.
Open up a file yourself to test the sound quality so you can balance file size with quality.
8. Add the audio content to your app
Next, it’s time to add the content to your app. Create a page for each feature, site, or work of art that you want to call out to visitors. Add written content and audio content.
You can use advanced features like geo-targeting, bluetooth beacons, and directional triggers to create a true tour experience.
For example, when someone walks within 3 meters of a statue, a notification could pop up asking if they want to play the content.
If you’re making an app for use when driving, you can autoplay content as drivers head through geo-fences in the designated direction you’ve chosen.
While all of this sounds technical, it’s really easy to do inside of the STQRY Builder with no coding required.
Build a Custom Audio Guide App with STQRY
STQRY makes it easier than ever to create professional-quality audio experiences without any technical expertise.
Powered by no-code technology, STQRY Builder lets anyone build engaging audio content with ease. Whether you’re a museum, a tour operator, or a brand, STQRY helps you engage your audience and bring your stories to life through sound.
Ready to harness the power of audio content for your organization?