Misleading Podcast Clips Circulate on Social Media: How to Identify Fake Content

The rise of “fake podcasts” has emerged as a deceptive trend in digital media, as content creators exploit the legitimacy associated with podcast formats to market products, spread misinformation, or enhance their personal brands.

In Australia, where approximately 48% of the population listens to podcasts monthly, according to Commercial Radio Australia, these fake productions are becoming increasingly prevalent across social media platforms, particularly TikTok.

Fake podcasts typically appear as short video clips designed to mimic genuine podcast segments. They feature one or two speakers positioned behind professional broadcasting microphones, engaged in what appears to be part of a longer conversation. However, no actual podcast exists beyond these brief snippets.

The phenomenon gained significant attention in late 2022 when social media users began identifying viral clips purportedly from high-profile podcasts that were entirely fabricated. In some cases, the microphones displayed prominently in these videos weren’t even operational.

Fitness influencer Vincent Sant provided one of the most notable examples when he created a video suggesting he had appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience. Despite carefully replicating Rogan’s studio setup—including identical microphone, headphones, and distinctive red velvet curtain backdrop—viewers quickly determined Sant had never been a guest on the show. He subsequently removed the clip following public backlash.

This deceptive practice has evolved into a recognized marketing strategy. Some professional actors now specialize in producing fake podcast content, with top performers reportedly earning up to US$16,000 monthly. Marketing professionals have even published explicit guides on LinkedIn describing fake podcasts as “the future of video marketing.”

Media analysts categorize fake podcasts into three distinct types, each with varying levels of deception. The first category comprises explicit advertisements where the podcast format is used to deliver an obvious sales pitch. These typically include clear disclaimers identifying them as paid partnerships, making them unlikely to mislead viewers.

The second, more problematic category features influencers using the podcast aesthetic to market their personal brand rather than specific products. Figures like Sebastian Ghiorghiu and Pearl Davis—sometimes called the “female Andrew Tate”—have amassed millions of followers through such clips. These creators intentionally blur the line between authentic and fabricated content, producing both real and fake podcast segments with no way for viewers to distinguish between them.

These personal brand-focused fake podcasts serve three primary purposes: building a consistent viewership, legitimizing sometimes controversial or conspiratorial political perspectives, and ultimately selling products or services.

The third and most deliberately deceptive category involves “deep” fake podcasts. These productions combine elements of the previous types with manipulated audio and video, often created using artificial intelligence tools. Their purpose is typically to convince viewers that prominent podcasters or personalities have made specific claims or endorsed particular products.

The psychology behind fake podcasts is rooted in what media researcher Henry Jenkins calls “convergence culture,” where traditional media, alternative media, and social media increasingly overlap. In this environment, podcasters are often perceived as “popular experts”—individuals who, while lacking formal qualifications, have developed credibility through experience or passion in particular subjects.

This blending of amateur and professional communication has legitimized popular experts in online spaces, creating fertile ground for deceptive content that exploits established formats.

Research from the Pew Research Center indicates that U.S. adults who encounter news via podcasts tend to view this information as more reliable than news from other social media sources. This perception of credibility, combined with the relatively low cost and simplicity of creating fake podcast content, has contributed to the format’s proliferation.

For consumers wary of being misled, media literacy experts recommend verifying suspicious clips by looking for links to the original full-length recordings. If the complete episode is easily accessible, verifiable, and substantially longer than the clip in question, the excerpt is likely legitimate.

Cross-referencing content with official channels provides another safeguard—before acting on advice or purchasing products promoted in brief podcast clips, checking the purported expert’s official social media accounts can help determine authenticity.