RSS Feeds Explained: What Every New Podcaster Needs to Know

If you’re just starting out in podcasting, one of the first things you’ll hear about is the RSS feed. It’s the backbone of your show, the invisible file that tells Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and almost every other directory how to pull your episodes and deliver them to listeners. In this post, we’ll demystify RSS, explain why it matters, walk through how to set it up, and show you how to keep it running smoothly. By the end, you’ll be ready to create a feed that’s fast, reliable, and fully optimized for discoverability.

What Exactly Is an RSS Feed?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is an XML file that contains a list of your podcast episodes, metadata, and links to the media files. Think of it as a structured bulletin board that every podcast directory can read. Each episode is an <item> entry, and the feed’s header (<channel>) holds global information such as the podcast title, description, cover art, and categories.

Key Components

Component	What it Does	Why It Matters
Title & Description	Gives listeners a quick summary of your show.	Influences SEO and first impressions.
Cover Art	3000 × 3000 PNG/JPEG, 140 × 140 at minimum.	Required by directories; essential for branding.
Link to Media	URL to your MP3/OGG file.	Where the episode lives – needs to be stable.
Categories	Genres like “Comedy” or “True Crime.”	Helps directories suggest your show to the right audience.
Episode GUID	Unique identifier for each episode.	Prevents duplicate submissions.
Enclosure Attributes	`length`, `type`, and `url`.	Directory uses these to download the file.
Podcasting Tags (`<itunes:...>` or `<googleplay:...>`)	Extra fields for Apple, Google, etc.	Enables features like episode number, season, explicit flag.

Why Is an RSS Feed Critical for Your Podcast?

Automatic Distribution
Once the feed is published, directories subscribe to it and pull new episodes automatically. You no longer need to manually upload each episode.
Searchability
The metadata in the RSS feed is what search engines and directory algorithms read. A well‑structured feed boosts discoverability in both directory search and general web search.
Listener Trust
A clean, error‑free feed builds credibility. If a feed is broken, listeners may lose faith in your show and unsubscribe.
Analytics & Monetization
Platforms like Parsayla rely on your RSS feed to ingest episode data, track downloads, and tie payouts to specific episodes. A reliable feed is the foundation of monetization workflows.

Setting Up Your First RSS Feed

Below is a step‑by‑step guide that works whether you’re using a hosting platform like Parsayla or creating the feed manually in a content management system (CMS).

1. Choose a Hosting Solution

Why? Hosting platforms automate the feed creation process, ensuring all fields are correctly populated.

Parsayla – Offers a turnkey solution: upload your audio, fill in show details, and Parsayla generates a fully compliant RSS feed. It also supports subscription models and pay‑per‑episode micropayments.
Anchor – Free, automatically creates a feed, and syncs with major directories.
Libsyn, Podbean, Buzzsprout – Premium hosts that offer advanced analytics and monetization tools.

If you prefer a DIY approach, you’ll need a web server and a script (e.g., WordPress with a podcast plugin) that outputs XML.

2. Gather Your Show Details

Detail	Recommended Input
Title	Unique, keyword‑rich, under 60 characters.
Description	250–300 words, includes main keywords naturally.
Author	Your name or brand.
Episode URL	Permanent link (never change).
Cover Art	3000 × 3000 PNG/JPEG, no more than 500 KB.
Explicit Flag	Set correctly (yes/no).
Categories	Two levels max (e.g., “Technology” → “Software Development”).

3. Build the Feed

If you’re using Parsayla:

Log in and navigate to Dashboard → New Show.
Enter the show details above.
Upload your first episode file (MP3 > 50 MB).
Parsayla auto‑generates the feed URL, which looks like https://parsayla.com/feeds/your-show.xml.

If you’re building manually, create an XML file with the structure shown in the example below:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
    xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd"
    xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0">

<channel>
  <title>My Podcast Title</title>
  <link>https://example.com/podcast</link>
  <description>A short show description with keywords.</description>
  <itunes:author>John Doe</itunes:author>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:owner>
    <itunes:name>John Doe</itunes:name>
    <itunes:email>john@example.com</itunes:email>
  </itunes:owner>
  <itunes:image href="https://example.com/cover.jpg"/>
  <itunes:category text="Technology">
    <itunes:category text="Software Development"/>
  </itunes:category>

  <item>
    <title>Episode 1: Getting Started</title>
    <itunes:subtitle>Intro to the podcast.</itunes:subtitle>
    <itunes:summary>Full episode description goes here.</itunes:summary>
    <enclosure url="https://example.com/episodes/episode1.mp3" length="12345678" type="audio/mpeg"/>
    <guid isPermaLink="false">12345-episode-1</guid>
    <pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    <itunes:duration>00:12:34</itunes:duration>
    <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
    <itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode>
    <itunes:season>1</itunes:season>
  </item>
</channel>
</rss>

4. Test the Feed

Podba.se – Paste your feed URL to check for errors and validate compliance.
Cast Feed Validator – Another free tool for quick checks.
Apple Podcasts Connect – Upload the feed and verify it passes Apple’s checks.

Fix any errors (e.g., missing <itunes:image>, invalid <enclosure> attributes) before submitting to directories.

5. Submit to Directories

Directory	Submission Process
Apple Podcasts	Log in to Podcasts Connect, click “Add Show,” enter feed URL, and wait for approval (usually 24–48 hrs).
Spotify for Podcasters	Go to Spotify for Podcasters, click “Add your show,” paste the feed, and submit.
Google Podcasts Manager	Use the Google Podcasts Manager to add your feed and verify ownership.
Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeartRadio	Each has its own submission portal; most require feed verification and a brief profile.

Maintaining a Healthy RSS Feed

Keep URLs Permanent
Never change the location of an episode file. If you must, use redirects that preserve the original URL to avoid breaking the feed.
Avoid Duplicate GUIDs
Each episode’s <guid> should be unique. Reusing a GUID will cause directories to think it’s the same episode.
Update Metadata Promptly
If you change the episode title, description, or artwork, update the feed and republish. Some directories cache older data for a while, so timely updates improve accuracy.
Use a CDN for Media
Host MP3s on a reliable CDN (e.g., CloudFront, Cloudflare). This ensures fast delivery worldwide and reduces bandwidth costs.
Backup Your Feed
Store a copy of the XML file in version control (Git) or a cloud storage bucket. If something goes wrong, you can quickly restore the original feed.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

Pitfall	Fix
Wrong MIME type (`audio/mpeg` vs. `audio/mp3`)	Always set `type="audio/mpeg"` in the `<enclosure>` tag.
Missing `<itunes:duration>`	Include duration in `HH:MM:SS` format for better visibility on Apple Podcasts.
Too Large Cover Art	Compress to <500 KB while keeping 3000 × 3000 resolution.
Non‑standard Characters in Title	Stick to ASCII or escape special characters.
No SSL on URLs	Use `https://` everywhere; most directories reject feeds without SSL.

SEO‑Friendly Tips for Your Feed

Keyword‑Rich Titles
Include relevant keywords early in the episode title (e.g., “Podcasting 101: How to Start a Show”).
Rich Descriptions
Use the episode description to answer common questions and embed keywords naturally.
Episode Transcripts
Upload full transcripts to your episode’s webpage. Search engines can index the text, boosting rankings.
Structured Data
Add JSON‑LD structured data to the episode’s landing page to help search engines understand the content.
Link Back to Your Show
Embed the feed URL in your website’s header or footer so search engines can discover and crawl it.

Monetizing with Parsayla’s RSS Integration

If you’re looking to go beyond the free subscription model, Parsayla’s platform turns your RSS feed into a revenue engine:

Subscription Management – Subscribers get instant access to new episodes, and the feed ensures content delivery.
Pay‑Per‑Episode Micropayments – Listeners can buy individual episodes directly, and Parsayla tracks the sale via the feed’s GUID.
Analytics – Real‑time download metrics, listener demographics, and revenue reports all tie back to the RSS feed.
Automated Payouts – Once a threshold is reached, Parsayla automatically transfers earnings to your PayPal or crypto wallet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I host the feed on my own server?
A1: Yes. Just ensure your server supports HTTPS, can deliver XML without errors, and has enough bandwidth for large audio files.

Q2: Do I need to update the feed every time I upload a new episode?
A2: Most hosting platforms do this automatically. If you’re manual, add a new <item> block and republish the XML.

Q3: What if a directory rejects my feed?
A3: Use validation tools to spot errors. Common reasons include missing <itunes:image>, invalid <enclosure> attributes, or non‑HTTPS URLs.

Q4: Can I change the order of episodes?
A4: Yes, but it may confuse listeners and affect search rankings. Keep a consistent publishing schedule.

Q5: Is it necessary to use <googleplay:...> tags?
A5: Not mandatory, but they enable additional features like episode numbers, season data, and explicit content flags in Google Podcasts.

Final Takeaway

Your RSS feed is the invisible backbone of your podcast’s ecosystem. It tells directories what your show is about, where to find the audio, and how to present it to listeners. By building a clean, well‑structured feed and keeping it up to date, you’ll enjoy faster distribution, better SEO, and a smoother path to monetization—whether you’re using a free host, a premium platform like Parsayla, or a DIY solution.

Start today: grab your podcasting equipment, craft your episode, upload it, and let your RSS feed do the heavy lifting. Happy broadcasting!

Parsayla Blog