You got a one-star podcast review. Now what?! 

That sucker punch to your podcasting pride can feel personal. You’ve poured time, energy, and probably more money than you’d like to admit into your show, only for someone to waltz in, hit one star, and leave without so much as a “meh.”

So what do you do? Obsess over it? Let it ruin your day? Assume your podcast is doomed? Or… do you turn it into an opportunity to get more five-star ratings, attract more listeners, and make your podcast even stronger?

In this post, I’m breaking down exactly how to handle a one-star podcast review, why it’s not the end of the world, and the psychology-backed steps to fix it. Plus, I’ll share what happened when I got hit with a one-star rating—because yes, it’s happened to me too.

The Five-Minute Rule for Handling a Bad Podcast Review

First things first: breathe.

I know, it sucks when that perfect five-star rating drops to a 4.9. But before you spiral, do what my friend Hal Elrod suggests—give yourself exactly five minutes to be mad about it.

Rage-type “Can you remove a one-star review from Apple Podcasts?” into Google. Stare at your podcast analytics like they personally betrayed you. Maybe even scream into a pillow (if it works for my six-year-old, it can work for you too).

But once those five minutes are up, you have two choices:

1. Let that one-star podcast review wreck your entire day (and maybe your entire podcast career).
2. Decide to do something about it.

Successful podcasters don’t let a single bad podcast review define them—they use it to their advantage. So let’s talk about how to take control and turn things around.

Why One Bad Podcast Review Doesn’t Mean Your Podcast is Failing

A bad review can feel like a personal attack, especially when you’ve spent months (or years) pouring your heart and soul (and blood and tears) into your show. It’s tempting to dwell on it, replay it in your head, make it mean you’re not cut out for podcasting, or assume there’s something fundamentally wrong with your podcast.

But let’s be real: it’s just one podcast review.

And more importantly? It’s a sign that your podcast is growing.

The bigger your audience, the more likely you are to attract both raving fans and the occasional critic. Even the most successful podcasters—yes, the ones pulling in millions of downloads—invevitably get bad reviews.

So instead of spiraling, ask yourself: What can I actually control here?

• You can’t control internet trolls who thrive on negativity.
• You can’t control people who leave ratings without actually listening.
• But you can control how you respond—and that’s what actually impacts your success.

And part of taking control? Understanding how ratings actually work and how to protect your podcast from trolls.

How Apple & Spotify Ratings Actually Work (and Why They Matter)

Most people don’t realize that Apple and Spotify ratings both round up, meaning the more five-star ratings you have, the less impact a few one-stars will have on your overall score.

That’s why on Apple Podcasts, my rating bounced back to 5.0 pretty quickly—I had enough five-star reviews to offset the drop. But Spotify only introduced ratings more recently, so I didn’t have as many built up there. That meant a single one-star review had a bigger effect, pulling my Spotify rating to 4.8. But simply by making a point to encourage listeners to tap those five stars on Spotify, it’ll return to 5.0 there in time, too.

This is why consistently collecting five-star podcast reviews matters—not just for credibility, but for protecting your overall rating when the inevitable one-star rolls in.

Podcast reviews and ratings aren’t just about ego—they shape how new listeners perceive your show.

A strong rating signals credibility. A low or inconsistent rating can make potential listeners second-guess whether your podcast is worth their time. So even if you’re not a perfectionist and personally don’t care about your rating, your future listeners do—and that’s reason enough to pay attention.

How to Protect Your Podcast From Trolls & Keep Your Ratings High

Granted, not every bad review comes from a troll. Some are legit feedback, which you should take seriously. (And to understand why someone would take the time to leave a bad review, check out this episode).

The bigger your podcast gets, the more likely it is that you’ll get a one-star rating from someone who doesn’t know (or care) what you actually offer. The good news? You can protect your podcast by stacking the deck in your favor.

• Keep collecting positive podcast reviews. The more five-star ratings you have, the less impact a one-star review will have on your overall rating.
  
  
• Don’t take bad reviews personally. As crazy as it sounds, some people leave bad ratings just because they saw an intrusive ad and were annoyed by it (hint: if you run ads for your podcast, this can happen). It has nothing to do with your content.
  
  
• Know when to take action. If a podcast review is from an actual troll (and not legitimate feedback), you can request removal from Apple. But in most cases, this isn’t necessary or even recommended. 

The best defense is a strong, engaged audience that actively supports your show.

How You Can Easily Rebuild Your Podcast Rating Back to Five Stars

So how do you get your rating back up? Here’s exactly what worked for me—and how you can do the same.

For five years, my podcast had held a perfect five-star rating. Then suddenly, it dropped to 4.9. But I wasn’t going to let one bad rating ruin everything I’d built. I rebuilt my podcast’s reputation to a perfect 5.0 on Apple Podcasts and 4.8 on Spotify. But more importantly, I learned something bigger: one bad podcast review doesn’t define your podcast. Your audience does.

It’s easy to fixate on the one person who gave you a low rating. But when you zoom out, you’ll see the hundreds (or thousands) of listeners who show up for you every week. Those are the people who matter. So instead of obsessing over the outlier, focus on the audience that’s already there, ready to support you—you simply have to ask.

Why One Bad Rating Can Lead to More Positive Ones 

Believe it or not, a one-star podcast review can actually help your podcast. How? Because it pushes you to engage your audience and rally your real supporters. When someone sees a bad review on a show they love, they’re more likely to step up and leave a positive one. It’s human psychology—people want to defend the things they care about.

The key is making sure your loyal listeners know their feedback matters. So if you’ve been sitting on asking for podcast reviews, waiting for people to do it on their own, or asking but not giving context as to why someone should leave a review (or what’s in it for them to do so), consider this your sign to start.

Use a negative review as an opportunity to mobilize your true fans. Let them know how much their reviews matter, make it easy for them to leave one, and watch how quickly your rating bounces back.

The Right Way to Ask for Podcast Reviews (Without Sounding Desperate)

Here’s where most podcasters go wrong: they either never ask for podcast reviews, or when they do, it sounds awkward, forced, or just plain desperate.

Instead, here’s how to do it the right way:

• Give them a reason. "If this episode helped you, leaving a review is the best way to help others find the show too."
  
  
• Make it simple. "Scroll down under episodes and tap the five stars on Apple.” Or, “Look underneath my cover art and tap the 5 stars on Spotify.”
  
  
• Tell them what’s in it for them. "It only takes a second, and when you do, [you’ll be entered to win X], [I’ll give you a personal shoutout in an upcoming episode], or [you’ll help shape future episodes based on your feedback]."
  
  
• Weave it into your content naturally. "If you’ve ever gotten something useful from this show, leave a quick review and let me know—I read every single one."

When you position podcast reviews as a way for your audience to support something they already love, they won’t feel like they’re doing you a favor—they’ll feel like they’re part of something bigger.

The Moral of the Podcast Review Story

Bad podcast reviews happen to everyone. The difference is in how you choose to handle them. If you’ve been hit with a one-star podcast review, don’t stress. Instead, use it as a chance to reconnect with your audience, reinforce your value, and strengthen your podcast’s presence. 

Because one bad rating doesn’t define your podcast—but what you do next just might.

If you’re ready to master the psychology behind attracting engaged listeners from day one, hit “Follow” for Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you can stay ahead with every new episode.

Or if you’re an established coach, consultant, or creator who’s ready for a proven strategy to build a bingeworthy top podcast that grows your business, book a free strategy call with our team to find out if you’re a fit for PodLaunch® — we’re here to help.

Up Next:

Thinking about quitting your podcast (or business)? You’re not alone. In the next episode, I’ve got a special guest and fellow podcaster joining me to share how she turned things around when she was ready to call it quits—and how her podcast became the turning point for building a business she’s excited to run again. 

We’re diving into how to make your podcast the driving force behind a business that energizes and inspires you. So if you’re ready to stop staring at your mic wondering if it’s worth it to continue and start watching your podcast actually grow your business, don’t miss the next episode.