How to Submit Your Podcast to Apple Podcasts

Google SEO Guide: Welcome to our guide on how to submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts, one of the most prominent directories for podcasts in the world. This article is designed to help you understand the process and ensure your podcast reaches the widest possible audience. Following Google's best practices, this content is rich with keywords and optimized for SEO while providing valuable, concise information.

Understanding Podcast Distribution

Before delving into the process of submitting your podcast to Apple Podcasts, it's important to understand that Apple doesn't host podcasts. Instead, they are one of the largest directories, making Apple Podcasts a platform for discovering podcasts rather than hosting them. If you're wondering where to upload your podcast, a distribution site is the way to go. There are numerous popular options, such as:

Buzzsprout Podbean Anchor

These platforms offer both hosting and submission services, streamlining the process of getting your podcast out to the world.

The Correct Process

When you want to get your podcast listed on Apple Podcasts, the key step is to host your podcast content somewhere online. Once your podcast is live, you'll need an RSS (Rich Site Summary) feed, which is a protocol that provides a standard way for aggregators to find updates to your podcast.

Creating Your Podcast

First, you should create your podcast content. Make sure to choose a hosting service that allows you to create and manage your RSS feed easily. Some popular options include:

Libsyn: Known for its user-friendly interface and reliable hosting services. Blubrry: Offers advanced features and a straight-forward management process. Anchor: Not only hosts your podcasts but also submits them to various directories.

Once your podcast is live, you need to generate an RSS feed. Most hosting services provide tools to create and manage this feed. Some platforms, like Anchor, even simplify this step by automatically handling the RSS feed submission process.

Submitting Your Feed to Apple Podcasts

Once you have your RSS feed ready, the next step is to submit it to Apple Podcasts. Here’s how you can do it:

Login to your Apple Developer account if you haven’t already. Go to the Podcasts Dashboard section. Follow the instructions to submit your RSS feed. Apple typically reviews the feed within a few days, and once accepted, your podcast will be available on Apple Podcasts.

Note: If you're using a distribution site like Anchor, they can help you with this step. Some third-party services can also take care of submission for you, but it’s important to ensure you maintain control over your podcast's directory listing.

Key Tips for Success

To ensure your podcast is optimized for discovery, consider the following tips:

Title and Metadata: Use a clear and descriptive title for your podcast. Include relevant keywords and detailed descriptions that align with the content of your podcast. Episodic Structure: Organize your podcast episodes in a logical and easy-to-navigate manner. A well-structured podcast should make it easy for listeners to find the content they’re interested in. Guest Permissions: If your podcast involves interviews or featured guests, make sure you have their permission to use their audio, and include their credits appropriately. Transcripts and Show Notes: Providing transcripts or show notes can make your podcast more accessible to listeners, especially those who are visually impaired or prefer text-based content. It also improves the SEO of your podcast.

While you don’t upload your podcast to Apple Podcasts as such, submitting it through their platform will significantly increase your podcast's visibility and reach.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts and have it listed in one of the most prominent directories for podcasts. Remember to choose a reputable hosting service and ensure your podcast is well-organized and accessible to your audience. With these steps, you can start reaching a wider audience and growing your podcast's subscriber base.