From RSS Feed to Apple Podcasts: Step-by-Step Way to Get Your Podcast on Apple

Learn the exact steps to take your podcast from a finished product to a global sensation. This article covers everything you need to know for your Apple Podcasts launch.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Submit Your Podcast to Apple Podcasts

You’ve put in the work: the recording, the editing, the planning. Now, the final frontier awaits: getting your podcast onto the biggest platforms. When it comes to podcast distribution, Apple Podcasts is a must-have. It’s the most widely used podcasting directory, and a presence there is crucial for reaching a global audience. While some podcast hosting services offer a one-click submission, understanding the manual process is empowering and essential for every podcaster. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, from preparation to final submission, ensuring your show is ready for the world. 🚀

The Essentials: What You Need Before You Start

Before you even think about submitting your podcast to Apple, you need to have a few key things in place. Think of this as your pre-flight checklist.

1. A Podcast Hosting Provider: Apple Podcasts is a directory, not a hosting service. Your podcast episodes need to live somewhere on the internet. A hosting service like Buzzsprout, Libsyn, or Transistor will store your audio files, provide a unique RSS feed for your show, and handle the technical side of things.
2. A Complete Podcast RSS Feed: This is the magic link that connects your hosting service to Apple Podcasts. Your RSS feed contains all the essential metadata about your show: its title, description, cover art, and a list of all your episodes.
3. At least One Episode: Your RSS feed needs to have at least one episode published before you can submit it. Apple needs to see that your podcast is an active show.
4. High-Quality Cover Art: Your cover art is your podcast’s first impression. Apple Podcasts has strict requirements: it must be a JPG or PNG file, square, and between 1400×1400 and 3000×3000 pixels. It should also be visually appealing and clearly represent your brand.
5. An Apple ID: To access the submission portal, you’ll need a valid Apple ID. If you don’t have one, you can create one for free. It’s often a good practice to create a dedicated Apple ID for your podcast.

The Step-by-Step Submission Process

This is the main event! Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth and successful submission.

1. Log In to Apple Podcasts Connect: Navigate to podcastsconnect.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. This is your personal dashboard for managing your podcasts on the platform.
2. Add a New Show: In Apple Podcasts Connect, click the plus (+) button and select “New Show.” You will be prompted to choose between “Add a show with an RSS feed” or “Add a show without an RSS feed.” For most podcasters using a hosting service, you’ll select the former.
3. Paste Your RSS Feed URL: Go to your podcast hosting provider’s dashboard and locate your RSS feed URL. Copy this link and paste it into the designated field in Apple Podcasts Connect. Click “Add.” Apple will then validate your feed to ensure it meets all technical requirements.
4. Review Your Show Details: After validation, Apple will pull in all your show’s information from your RSS feed. Review the title, description, cover art, and categories to make sure everything is accurate. This is your chance to catch any errors before final submission.
5. Set Content Rights and Availability: You’ll be asked to confirm that you have the rights to all content in your show. You’ll also need to select the countries and regions where you want your podcast to be available. Most podcasters choose to make their show available globally.
6. Provide Contact Information: Fill in your contact details. This information is not made public and is used by Apple to contact you if there are any issues with your show.
7. Submit for Review: Once you’ve reviewed all the details and are confident everything is correct, click “Publish” to submit your podcast for review. A confirmation message will appear, letting you know your show is now in the queue.
8. Wait for Approval: The review process is manual and can take a few hours to a few days. You’ll receive an email once your podcast has been approved and is live on the platform. Keep an eye on the “Status” column in your Apple Podcasts Connect dashboard.

10 Tips to Ensure a Successful Submission

1. Optimize Your Show’s Metadata: The title, author, and description are key for discoverability. Use relevant keywords naturally to help listeners find you.
2. Use a High-Quality Cover Art: Make sure your cover art is compelling and meets all the technical specifications. It should be legible even when small.
3. Launch with a Few Episodes: While one episode is the minimum, submitting with 3-5 episodes gives new listeners more content to consume, which can boost your initial download numbers.
4. Choose Your Categories Wisely: Select up to three categories that accurately describe your podcast. This helps Apple’s algorithm recommend your show to the right audience.
5. Check for an Explicit Tag: If your show contains explicit language, be sure to mark it as such in your RSS feed to avoid rejection.
6. Create a Unique Title: Make sure your podcast title is unique and descriptive. Avoid keyword stuffing, which can lead to your show being rejected.
7. Enable Your Hosting Server for HTTP HEAD Requests: This is a technical requirement for RSS feeds. Most quality hosting providers handle this automatically, but it’s worth checking if you run into validation errors.
8. Write Detailed Show Notes: Use your episode show notes to provide value and include keywords. This can improve your searchability.
9. Don’t Rush the Process: Take your time to review every field in Apple Podcasts Connect. One small error could cause a delay in your submission.
10. Use a Reliable Podcast Host: Your host is your partner in this process. A good host will ensure your RSS feed is always up to date and technically sound.

10 Benefits of Being on Apple Podcasts

1. Broad Audience Reach: Apple Podcasts boasts a massive user base, providing instant access to millions of potential listeners.
2. Increased Credibility: Being on a major platform like Apple Podcasts lends an air of professionalism and legitimacy to your show.
3. Global Distribution: Your podcast will be available in countries and regions all over the world.
4. Excellent Discovery Features: Apple’s charts, curated lists, and personalized recommendations help listeners find your show.
5. Valuable Analytics: Apple Podcasts Connect offers in-depth data on listener behavior, helping you understand your audience better.
6. Monetization Opportunities: The Apple Podcasters Program allows you to offer premium content and subscriptions to your most loyal fans.
7. Seamless User Experience: For users in the Apple ecosystem, the experience is smooth, with easy access across all their devices.
8. Industry Standard: Many other podcast apps and directories pull their information from the Apple Podcasts directory, ensuring wider distribution.
9. SEO Benefits: Being listed on a major platform can improve your show’s visibility in search engine results.
10. Free to Submit: The basic submission process is completely free for podcasters.

Pros and Cons of Using Apple Podcasts

Pros:

1. Massive Listener Base: Access to millions of iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.
2. Authoritative Platform: Seen as a leader and a standard in the podcasting industry.
3. Detailed Analytics: Provides data on episode downloads, listening time, and listener location.
4. Support for Subscriptions: A built-in way to monetize your content.
5. High-Quality Audio: The platform is known for its excellent audio playback.
6. Promotional Opportunities: Apple editors curate and feature shows, offering a chance for huge exposure.
7. Seamless Integration: Works effortlessly with Siri and the Apple ecosystem.
8. User-Friendly App: A clean, intuitive interface for listeners.
9. Standard for Other Apps: A submission to Apple Podcasts is often the first step to being listed elsewhere.
10. Free to List: No cost to get your show in the directory.

Cons:

1. Manual Review Process: Submissions are not instant and can take time to be approved.
2. Strict Guidelines: Apple has specific rules for cover art and metadata that must be followed.
3. Manual Updates: While new episodes are automatic, metadata changes sometimes take a little while to reflect.
4. High Competition: With millions of podcasts on the platform, standing out can be a challenge.
5. Dependence on RSS Feed: Any issues with your host’s RSS feed can affect your presence on Apple Podcasts.
6. Delayed Analytics: Analytics data is not always real-time and can take 24-48 hours to update.
7. No Direct Uploads: You must use a third-party host; you cannot upload audio files directly to Apple.
8. Potential for Rejection: Your show may be rejected if it doesn’t adhere to all guidelines.
9. Algorithm-Driven: While it can help with discovery, it can also make it difficult for new shows to gain traction.
10. Apple Ecosystem Lock-In: Some features are only available to those with an Apple ID and using Apple devices.

Case Studies of Podcasters Using Apple Podcasts Successfully

1. The Daily: The New York Times leveraged the platform to create a daily news habit, becoming one of the most listened-to podcasts in the world.
2. My Favorite Murder: This show built a massive community and fan base, consistently ranking at the top of Apple’s charts for years.
3. Serial: The groundbreaking true-crime podcast from This American Life became a global phenomenon, with its serialized format perfectly suited for the platform.
4. The Joe Rogan Experience: A pioneer in the podcasting space, Rogan’s show cemented its status as a cultural force through its massive presence on Apple Podcasts.
5. SmartLess: The star power of its hosts combined with a clever format led to a huge launch and continuous success on the platform.
6. Pod Save America: The political commentary podcast from Crooked Media used Apple Podcasts to reach a dedicated and engaged audience.
7. Stuff You Should Know: This educational podcast from HowStuffWorks has maintained a strong, long-term presence, proving the platform’s ability to host evergreen content.
8. The Tim Ferriss Show: Known for its long-form interviews, this show became a top business podcast, showcasing the platform’s value for niche audiences.
9. The Happiness Lab: This show successfully grew its audience by providing science-backed advice, demonstrating the power of valuable, educational content on Apple Podcasts.
10. 99% Invisible: This design and architecture podcast built a loyal and niche following, proving that you don’t need a mainstream topic to thrive on the platform.

Key Takeaways

1. Your podcast must be hosted on a third-party platform.
2. The RSS feed is the bridge between your host and Apple.
3. Apple Podcasts Connect is your central hub for all things management and analytics.
4. High-quality, correctly sized cover art is essential.
5. Your show’s metadata is crucial for discoverability and SEO.
6. Submitting with more than one episode can lead to better initial performance.
7. Patience is required during the manual review process.
8. Encouraging ratings and reviews is key to growth.
9. Apple Podcasts is a critical first step for wider distribution.
10. The platform is free to submit to, but offers paid subscription options.

FAQs with Answers

Q1: How long does the Apple Podcasts approval process take?

A: The review process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. You will receive an email notification when your show is approved.

Q2: What is an RSS feed and why do I need one?

A: An RSS feed is a web link that contains all your podcast’s information and episode files. It is the technical backbone that allows Apple Podcasts to automatically pull in your show and new episodes.

Q3: Can I change my podcast’s information after submitting it?

A: Yes, you can update your show’s metadata through your podcast host, and the changes will automatically sync with Apple Podcasts.

Q4: Do I need to re-submit my show for every new episode?

A: No, once your show is approved, your podcast host automatically updates your RSS feed whenever you publish a new episode, and Apple Podcasts pulls it in.

Q5: What happens if my submission is rejected?

A: Apple will notify you via email with the reason for rejection. You can correct the issue (e.g., cover art size, metadata errors) and then resubmit your show in Apple Podcasts Connect.

Q6: Is it free to list my podcast on Apple Podcasts?

A: Yes, listing your podcast in the directory is free. There is an annual fee if you choose to participate in the Apple Podcasters Program to offer subscriptions.

Q7: Do I need an Apple device to manage my podcast?

A: No, you can manage your show and view analytics in Apple Podcasts Connect from any web browser.

Q8: What is the best size for podcast cover art?

A: The cover art must be a square JPG or PNG file, with dimensions between 1400×1400 and 3000×3000 pixels.

Q9: Can I submit my podcast to other platforms at the same time?

A: Yes, you should submit your show to all major podcast directories simultaneously using your RSS feed.

Q10: What kind of analytics does Apple Podcasts provide?

A: Apple Podcasts Connect offers insights into total downloads, listening time, unique listeners, and the geographical location of your audience.

Conclusion

Submitting your podcast to Apple Podcasts is a critical milestone that places your voice on a global stage. While the process may seem daunting, it is a straightforward journey with clearly defined steps. By taking the time to prepare your show, optimize your metadata, and follow the submission guide, you’ll be well on your way to a successful launch. Remember, the key to success lies in producing great content and making it easy for people to find you. Take this final step, get your show live, and start building your audience. 🌟

Link Resources

• Apple Podcasts for Creators
• Apple Podcasts Connect
• Buzzsprout’s Guide to Submitting to Apple Podcasts
• Apple Podcasts Artwork Requirements
• Transistor’s Step-by-Step Guide

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