How to Get Your Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Everywhere Else
How to Get Your Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Everywhere Else
Every podcaster knows that producing great content is only the first half of the journey. The second half—getting your show into the ears of listeners—requires a strategic distribution plan. If you’re ready to launch or grow your podcast, this guide gives you a step‑by‑step roadmap to publish on the world’s leading platforms: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and beyond.
Quick Takeaway
- Create a high‑quality show & robust RSS feed.
- Submit to Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
- Expand to Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and niche directories.
- Optimize metadata, track performance, and iterate.
Why Distribution Matters
- Audience Reach: Apple Podcasts alone has > 200 million monthly active listeners; Spotify’s podcast catalog is the second‑largest.
- SEO & Discoverability: Search engines index podcast listings, so a well‑structured feed boosts organic discovery.
- Monetization: Listing on major platforms unlocks subscription models, dynamic ad insertion, and new revenue streams.
- Credibility: Presence on the top services signals professionalism and increases word‑of‑mouth referrals.
Step 1: Create a High‑Quality Podcast
| Element | Why It Matters | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Concept & Niche | Differentiates you from millions of shows. | Research underserved topics; keep it focused. |
| Audio Quality | Poor audio turns listeners away instantly. | Use a good microphone, pop filter, and record in a quiet space. |
| Editing & Post‑Production | Clean transitions and balanced levels keep engagement high. | Edit out long silences; add intro/outro music that fits your brand. |
| Show Title & Description | Critical for SEO and first impressions. | Use keywords naturally; keep the title < 60 characters. |
| Cover Art | Must be 3000 × 3000 px, PNG, 140 × 140 px minimum. | Bright colors, clear text; avoid clutter. |
Pro Tip: Use Parsayla’s podcast hosting platform to automate encoding, transcoding, and file delivery so every episode arrives ready for submission.
Step 2: Prepare Your RSS Feed
Your RSS feed is the single source of truth that all directories pull from.
- Generate the Feed – Most hosts (including Parsayla) auto‑generate a feed.
- Validate It – Use Cast Feed Validator or Apple’s Podcasts Connect validation tool.
- Check Compliance – Ensure you’ve met platform specifications:
- Apple – XML version 1.0, UTF‑8, proper
<itunes>tags. - Spotify – Must include
<itunes:subtitle>and<itunes:author>.
- Apple – XML version 1.0, UTF‑8, proper
- Add Categories & Tags – Apple and Spotify both support keyword tags for discoverability.
- Test on a Platform – Submit the feed to a staging environment or a directory that accepts test feeds.
Step 3: Submit to Apple Podcasts
Apple is the gatekeeper of the iOS ecosystem. A smooth submission is critical.
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sign in to Podcasts Connect | Use an Apple ID tied to your podcasting account. |
| 2 | Add a New Show | Paste your RSS URL; click “Submit.” |
| 3 | Fill in Metadata | Title, subtitle, author, description, category, language, and artwork. |
| 4 | Verify Ownership | Apple sends a confirmation email to the address on your RSS feed. |
| 5 | Await Approval | Approval usually takes 24–48 hrs; check the status dashboard. |
| 6 | Update & Re‑Submit | If you need to change the feed, just resubmit; Apple will pull updates automatically. |
Tip: Add a “Show Notes” page linked in your description. Apple’s algorithm favors podcasts with rich, keyword‑rich descriptions.
Step 4: Submit to Spotify
Spotify’s podcast hub has become the go‑to destination for mobile listeners.
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create a Spotify for Podcasters Account | Sign up at podcasts.spotify.com. |
| 2 | Add Your Show | Provide the RSS feed, show title, and artwork. |
| 3 | Verify Ownership | Spotify verifies via the email in your RSS feed. |
| 4 | Select Language & Categories | Helps Spotify place you in relevant curated playlists. |
| 5 | Set Monetization Settings | Once approved, you can enable Spotify’s ad‑based monetization or subscriptions. |
| 6 | Push to Other Platforms | Spotify automatically syncs your feed to its web player, iOS & Android apps. |
Pro Tip: Spotify’s “Episode Level Advertising” lets you run dynamic ads—great for monetization through Parsayla’s pay‑per‑episode model.
Step 5: Expand to Other Platforms
Once you’re on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, diversify to capture broader audiences.
| Platform | How to Submit | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Google Podcasts | Use Google Podcasts Manager; verify ownership via your RSS feed. | Mobile‑friendly, Google Search integration. |
| Stitcher | Submit via Stitcher’s content partner portal. | Offers “Stitcher Originals” and ad support. |
| Pocket Casts | Add via “Add a Podcast” → “Feed URL.” | Cross‑device syncing, offline listening. |
| iHeartRadio | Use iHeartRadio’s Podcast Publishing portal. | Access to live streaming events. |
| Amazon Music | Submit through Amazon Music for Podcasters. | Alexa integration for voice‑search. |
| Niche Directories | e.g., Podcast Addict, Castbox, TuneIn. | Targeted audiences for specific genres. |
Strategy Tip: Create a “distribution plan” document listing all target directories, deadlines, and responsible owners. Use a project management tool or Parsayla’s built‑in dashboard.
Step 6: Optimize for Discovery
Distribution is only the first half; discoverability determines how many listeners convert into subscribers.
- Keyword‑Rich Descriptions – Use natural language; include primary and secondary keywords (e.g., “podcast hosting platform,” “podcast monetization”).
- Consistent Branding – Same cover art, colors, and tagline across all platforms.
- Episode Titles – Use actionable, curiosity‑sparking titles (e.g., “How to Turn Every Listener into a Paying Subscriber”).
- Show Notes & Transcripts – Offer full transcripts; search engines index them, improving SEO.
- Cross‑Promotion – Share episodes on social media, embed on your website, and use Parsayla’s sharing widgets.
- Use Analytics – Track listener numbers, retention, and source of traffic; tweak titles and descriptions based on data.
Step 7: Track, Iterate, and Grow
Continuous improvement turns a good podcast into a great one.
- Analytics Dashboards – Use Parsayla’s integrated analytics or third‑party tools (Google Analytics, Chartable).
- Listener Feedback – Encourage reviews on Apple Podcasts and Spotify; respond promptly.
- A/B Testing – Try different episode titles or thumbnails and measure click‑through rates.
- Monetization Experiments – Test subscription tiers vs. pay‑per‑episode micropayments.
- Content Calendar – Plan themes, guest appearances, and special episodes to keep audiences engaged.
Bonus: Monetization Tips for the Modern Podcaster
- Subscriptions – Offer ad‑free episodes or bonus content for monthly subscribers.
- Micropayments – Charge a small fee for each episode; Parsayla’s platform supports instant micropayments via Apple Pay, Google Pay, and crypto.
- Dynamic Ad Insertion – Deliver targeted ads per listener segment.
- Affiliate Partnerships – Promote relevant products; earn commissions on purchases.
- Live Events & Merchandise – Use your platform’s event scheduler to host virtual Q&A sessions and sell branded merch.
Conclusion
Getting your podcast onto Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and every other major directory is an achievable goal with a structured plan. Start by building a high‑quality show, then meticulously prepare and submit your RSS feed. Once approved, extend your reach, optimize metadata for SEO, and harness analytics to refine your strategy. With Parsayla’s robust hosting, monetization tools, and distribution insights, you can turn listeners into loyal subscribers—and into a thriving revenue stream.
Ready to publish? Dive into Parsayla’s hosting platform today and launch your podcast on the biggest stages in the industry.