Maximize Your Reach: Get Your Podcast on Apple Podcasts!
By Tom Seest
How To Add Your Podcast To Apple Podcasts?
At PodcastBig, we help new podcasters develop strategies to create content, traffic, and revenue from podcasts based on our experiences and experimentation.
Podcasts are an easy and efficient way to stay informed on topics of interest while driving, exercising or working. There are various directories for podcasts; Apple Podcasts being one of the most favored choices.
Before uploading and getting an RSS feed URL for your podcast, you will need a hosting platform and to log into iTunes Connect’s dashboard.
How To Add Your Podcast To Apple Podcasts?
Table Of Contents
Ready to Share Your Voice? Learn How to Upload Your Podcast!
Buzzsprout, Captivate, Castos or Transistor offer hosting platforms designed specifically to podcasting needs. These services manage audio files, generate RSS feeds and host websites as well as help distribute to directories – often cheaper and time saving alternatives to building your own site!
Once you have selected a hosting platform, the next step in setting up your podcast will be putting it together. You have several options when creating and uploading episodes directly onto it or manually submitting to directories: upload directly, create an RSS feed of your podcast episodes directly, or submit them via an automated submission service like that provided by podcast hosting services that automatically create RSS feeds and manage submission processes on behalf of their clients.
Add a podcast player to your website using the embed code provided by your hosting service, making it easier for listeners to find your podcast in Apple Podcasts and other directories. After publishing it, log into your hosting platform to gain access to its stats; most offer tools for tracking download and play counts, subscriber growth rates, demographic information etc.
Before submitting your podcast to Apple, ensure it satisfies their requirements. These include having at least 10 episodes and an RSS feed optimized for iTunes; furthermore, MP3 format with bitrate of at least 96kbps must also be utilized.
When ready, log into Apple Podcasts Connect and follow their instructions. Please allow several minutes for your RSS feed to be processed before clicking “Submit Podcast.” Once that has occurred, hit the “Submit Podcast” button within Podcasts Connect.
Once your podcast is approved, it will appear in Apple Podcasts and all apps that distribute content through iTunes Store, giving it access to one of the world’s largest audiences of listeners.
Ready to Share Your Voice? Learn How to Upload Your Podcast!
Ready to Reach a Bigger Audience? Submit Your Podcast to Apple!
Apple Podcasts is one of the premier podcast directories, serving as an indispensable feed to many other apps and players for content delivery. As such, getting your podcast listed there is essential in building an audience; the process itself should be fairly easy.
Sign up for a podcast hosting platform that supports RSS feed creation, then create an Apple ID specifically for your podcast show. Unlike with music, games, apps etc. that use iTunes content, different Apple IDs should be created specifically for podcasting use. Once you have one created you’ll need it when signing into Apple Podcasts Connect to sign in using it.
Once your podcast information has been entered into iTunes Connect, an overview will appear containing an RSS feed link that should be submitted for approval by Apple. Make sure your feed meets all their criteria if possible as this will generate a validation warning and force you to resolve any issues before being approved by them.
Once your RSS feed meets all the requirements, click “Submit for Review.” Apple will conduct a manual review to make sure it conforms with their guidelines before authorizing distribution in iTunes Store – this could take anywhere from an hour or two up to several days.
As soon as your submission is accepted by Apple, a confirmation email will be sent out containing details on its publication in iTunes Store within hours and access to detailed analytics via Apple Podcasts Connect dashboard.
Apple Podcasts Connect provides access to detailed analytics that will help your show thrive and grow your audience. By listing with Apple Podcasts, your podcast can reach a much broader audience, as well as increasing the chances of being featured by other apps and directories. Setting up on Apple Podcasts Connect also offers you detailed metrics which can assist with improving and growing your show over time.
Ready to Reach a Bigger Audience? Submit Your Podcast to Apple!
Ready to Share Your Podcast? Learn How to Create a Free Apple ID!
Create an Apple ID as the starting point to getting your podcast onto iTunes. Your Apple ID acts as the cornerstone of Apple services such as iCloud and Find My, while authenticating subscriptions like Apple Music, Podcasts and TV.
Apple Podcasts Connect, the online dashboard designed to manage podcasts with Apple, requires an Apple ID that you use or create just for your podcast. Either your personal ID will suffice; alternatively you could create one specifically tailored towards managing the show.
Once you’ve created an Apple ID, launch Apple Podcasts Connect and click “Add a Show.” A field will appear where you can enter your RSS feed URL – use a feed validator such as Cast Feed Validator or PodBase Podcast Validator to test it first and ensure there are no validation issues that require fixing before proceeding with adding your podcast to Apple Podcasts Connect.
On the next screen, select options that best describe your podcast. This information will appear on Apple Podcasts and help listeners discover your show. Alternatively, you may restrict its availability only to those logged into iTunes Connect.
Finally, you can customize your podcast page by setting how many episodes to display and whether or not to list your show in categories and subcategories. Once satisfied with its contents, click “Save” to save all this work!
Apple Podcasts Connect may take several minutes to process the information submitted from your RSS feed, so don’t be alarmed if your podcast doesn’t appear immediately. Once processed, a green checkmark will appear and its status will change from Pending to Published.
Once your podcast is in iTunes’ directory, you can begin promoting it to gain new listeners and grow its audience. When your show has established a solid following, consider monetising through Apple’s subscription program for more ways to monetize. Learn more on Apple Podcasts for Creators website.
Ready to Share Your Podcast? Learn How to Create a Free Apple ID!
Ready to Reach a Wider Audience? Try Submitting Your Podcast Now!
Once your show is recorded and edited, the next step should be submitting it to major podcast directories. Apps like Apple Podcasts can only find your show if it is listed, making being listed vital to increasing download counts and expanding your audience.
First, create a free account with your podcast hosting platform. Most offer basic options that are free for small podcasts; larger podcasts may require paid plans with increased storage and bandwidth capacity. After creating an account, log in and retrieve your RSS feed URL – Apple should take some time processing your feed and checking for misconfigurations before activating it on iTunes.
Once your feed is verified, head to iTunes Connect’s “Add a New Podcast” section and fill in its details. Be sure to include all required information such as title, description, cover art and format – this data will then be displayed within Apple Podcasts as well as directories and listening apps.
Please fill out your podcast’s content rights and contact information, which are kept private to Apple, in order to enable it to notify you if any problems arise with it. Lastly, tick the box stating your podcast is original without containing any third-party material (music clips etc).
Once you’ve entered all the details for your podcast, click Publish to submit it for review by Apple. Once approved, your podcast should become available soon afterward.
While you wait for your podcast to be approved, be sure to promote it across social media and other online outlets. Involve listeners in reviewing and rating it; this will help it rise in Apple Podcasts charts; if it doesn’t receive high enough ratings it could even be removed entirely from Apple Podcasts!
Maintain a high-quality audio standard and release episodes regularly – this will keep listeners coming back, building your audience as time goes on. Furthermore, ensure your episodes comply with Apple’s guidelines and avoid topics which might offend certain viewers, like hate speech or explicit material.
Ready to Reach a Wider Audience? Try Submitting Your Podcast Now!
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