Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sponsors tab?

The Sponsors tab is a feature that extracts sponsor information from detected ads using on-device AI. Instead of just skipping ads, earsay™ converts the audio advertisements into visual "display ads" showing brand names, offers, promo codes, and website links.

This "transmedium" conversion lets you get the information you need from sponsors without interrupting your listening experience.

How can I support podcast creators if I skip ads?

Use the Sponsors tab! Even if you skip the audio ads, you can still support your favorite podcasts by tapping sponsor links in the Sponsors tab. This lets sponsors know their ads are reaching engaged listeners, which helps podcasters earn revenue.

Supporting sponsors through earsay™ shows advertisers that podcast audiences are valuable—even those who skip audio ads.

Why should I use the sponsor links in earsay?

Using sponsor links through earsay™ supports the podcast ecosystem in three important ways:

1. Podcasters benefit when sponsors see engaged listeners clicking through
2. Sponsors get measurable results from podcast advertising
3. It demonstrates that ad-skipping users still engage with sponsors, encouraging continued podcast sponsorship

By using these links, you're helping ensure podcasts remain a viable medium for creators.

If you aren't going to listen to ads or subscribe to the creator, you must at the very least visit and patronize the sponsors that help make it all happen at the financial level.

What are UTM parameters on sponsor links?

earsay™ adds tracking parameters (UTM codes) to sponsor URLs so advertisers can see the traffic came from the app. These include:

• utm_source — earsay_ios
• utm_medium — transmedium-audio2display
• utm_campaign — the podcast name
• utm_term — the episode title
• utm_content — sponsors_tab

This attribution helps demonstrate value to podcast advertisers and supports the broader podcast ecosystem.

How accurate is sponsor detection?

Sponsor detection uses on-device AI to analyze ad transcripts, but it may make mistakes. Brand names, coupon codes, or URLs might be incorrect.

Always verify information before making purchases. Sponsors will not honor offers based on incorrect information extracted by earsay™, and earsay is not responsible for mistakes.

How does ad detection work?

earsay™ uses a machine learning model trained to recognize the audio patterns that typically indicate advertisements. As you listen, the app continuously analyzes the content in real-time, right on your device, and automatically skips segments it identifies as ads.

Will every ad detection and skipping cue be perfect?

No machine learning system is perfect, and this one is no exception. The model makes predictions based on likelihoods, which means occasionally it may skip a few seconds of regular content or miss an ad entirely.

In practice, most users find that earsay™ catches the majority of ads while rarely interrupting actual content. If something does get skipped that you wanted to hear, just tap the skip-back button to jump back.

Will ads be detected in any language?

No, only ads in English will be detected.

Can I turn off ad skipping?

Yes. You can disable automatic ad skipping if you prefer to listen to episodes uninterrupted or want to support your favorite creators by hearing their sponsor messages.

What is the star button on the lock screen player for?

The star button lets you flag an issue with ad detection. If earsay™ skipped something that wasn't an ad, or missed an ad that should have been skipped, tap the star to report it. This helps improve the ad detection experience.

What if it skips something I wanted to hear?

Use the skip-back button to jump back and hear what was skipped. You can customize the skip-back interval (5, 10, 15, or 30 seconds) in settings.

Is my listening data private?

Absolutely. All audio processing happens entirely on your device. earsay™ never sends your audio, listening history, or any personal data to external servers. Your podcast habits are yours alone.

Does earsay need an internet connection?

You need an internet connection to download new episodes and search for podcasts. However, once episodes are downloaded, you can listen offline with full ad detection. The model runs entirely on your device.

Will earsay drain my battery?

The ad detection model is optimized for mobile devices and runs efficiently in the background. Most users don't notice any significant difference in battery life compared to other podcast apps.

How do I add my podcasts?

You can search for podcasts directly in the app, paste an RSS feed URL for shows not in the directory, or import your existing subscriptions via OPML if you're switching from another podcast app.

Which devices are supported?

earsay™ is currently available for all iPhones running iOS 26 or later. An A14 or newer chip is required for ad detection models.

Is earsay free?

earsay™ is free to use and includes all features: ad detection, voice boost, silence skip, variable speed, and more. The free version supports two podcast subscriptions, which is a great way to experience everything earsay™ offers before you decide to upgrade.

A one-time purchase unlocks unlimited podcast subscriptions and OPML import for bringing over your existing library. Pricing varies by region.