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Apple Podcasts (formerly known as iTunes) is the largest and most popular podcast directory in the world, making it a must-have platform for podcasters.
But getting your podcast on Apple Podcasts can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the podcasting world.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to get your podcast listed on Apple Podcasts, breaking it all down and making it a less daunting task.
Note; this post is for getting your podcast on Apple Podcasts. Here’s a post if you want to get your podcast on Spotify.
What’s the difference between Apple Podcasts, iTunes, and Apple Connect?
Before we dive into the process of getting your podcast on Apple Podcasts, let’s clarify the difference between Apple Podcasts, iTunes, and Apple Connect.
Apple Podcasts is the podcast directory that listeners use to discover, subscribe to, and listen to podcasts. It used to be called iTunes Podcasts but was rebranded in 2017, probably to bring the podcasting side of Apple more in line with the Apple Music branding.
iTunes, on the other hand, is a media player app that allows users to watch music and video. It is available on all Apple devices, including iPhone, Mac, and iPad.
Finally, Apple Connect is the platform that allows podcasters to submit their show to Apple Podcasts. To submit a podcast to Apple Podcasts, you need an Apple Connect account. It’s very easy to set up, and if you already have an Apple account then you can use the same information to set up your Apple Connect account.
Requirements for getting your podcast on Apple Podcasts
Before you can submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts, there are a few requirements you’ll need to meet.
First, you’ll need to have at least one episode of your podcast published and available online. This is because Apple requires that podcasts have at least one episode available before they can be submitted to the directory. I do, however, always recommend starting a show with at least a few episodes. That way, your audience has a little bit to listen to in order to, let them go on a mini-binge to get them interested in your show and give them a reason to come back for more.
Second, you’ll need to have an RSS feed for your podcast. An RSS feed is a web feed that allows users and applications to access updates to your podcast. If you’re using a podcast hosting services like Buzzsprout, Libsyn, or Podbean, they will automatically generate an RSS feed for you.
Third, you’ll need to have podcast cover art that meets Apple’s requirements. Your cover art should be a square image that is at least 1400 x 1400 pixels and no larger than 3000 x 3000 pixels. Your cover art should also be in JPEG or PNG format and have a resolution of 72 dpi. Our recommendation for designing beautiful podcast artwork is to use a platform such as Canva.
Creating a podcast hosting account
Before you can submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts, you’ll need to have a podcast hosting account. A podcast hosting account is where you’ll store and manage your podcast episodes and RSS feed. There are a variety of podcast hosting services available, each with its own features and pricing.
Some of the most popular podcast hosting services include Buzzsprout, Libsyn, and Podbean. When choosing a podcast hosting service, consider factors like storage space, pricing, analytics, and customer support.
Once you’ve chosen a podcast hosting service, create an account and follow the instructions to upload your first episode and set up your RSS feed. Be sure to test your RSS feed to make sure it’s working correctly before submitting your podcast to Apple Podcasts.
Preparing your podcast for submission
Before you submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts, there are a few things you’ll need to do to make sure your podcast is ready for prime time.
First, make sure that your podcast audio is of high quality and free of any background noise or distortion. If you’re recording your podcast on a smartphone or computer, consider investing in a quality microphone to improve your audio quality.
Second, make sure that your podcast has a clear and concise title that accurately reflects the content of your podcast. Your podcast title should be easy to remember and search for, and it should give potential listeners an idea of what they can expect from your podcast.
Finally, make sure that your podcast description is informative and engaging. Your podcast description should give potential listeners an idea of what your podcast is about and why they should listen. It should also include relevant keywords to help your podcast show up in search results.
Submitting your podcast to Apple Podcasts
Once you’ve met all of Apple’s requirements and prepared your podcast for submission, it’s time to submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts. Here’s how to do it:
1. Log in to your Apple Connect account.
2. Click on “+” sign in the “Podcasts” tab.
3. Click on the “New Show” button from the drop down.
4. Choose your show type. Most commonly you’ll be submitting your RSS feed. Make sure that this option is toggled and click “Next.”
5. Enter your podcast RSS feed URL in the box provided and click “Add.”
6. You’ll see under “Show Information” that your podcast is in draft format, with instructions to check back once your show has been processed. In the meantime, you can scroll down and enter any of the optional details you wish and then press “Save.”
7. Processing time varies per podcast. In my experience, I’ve never waited longer than a couple of hours for my show to process and be accepted by Apple Podcasts, but I’ve heard of other people waiting a couple of weeks.
Keep checking back regularly (you’ll also get an email once your show is ready to be published. You might be prompted to fill out extra information at this stage, such as selecting the categories you want your podcast to sit in.
Once you’ve filled out any remaining information, click “Publish” when the button is available and you’ll see that under “Show Information” your show’s status has switched from “Draft” to “Published.”
8. Woohoo! Your show is now on Apple Podcasts! Get promoting it and letting everyone know that it’s available to listen and subscribe to!
Finding your RSS feed in Buzzsprout
In your Buzzsprout account, click “Directories” in the main menu and then “RSS Feed.” Click “Copy link.” You can now paste your RSS feed link into Apple Podcasts.
> (opens in a new tab)”>Get started with Buzzsprout for free for 90 days >>
Review process and approval timeline
As mentioned earlier, once you submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts, it will go through a review process to make sure it meets Apple’s guidelines. This review process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, although in some cases, it can take longer.
Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to hurry the process along. So you might as well submit to other podcast directories and create some more awesome content whilst you wait.
If your podcast is rejected during the review process, Apple will provide you with a reason for the rejection and give you the opportunity to fix any issues and resubmit your podcast. Once your podcast is approved, it will be listed on Apple Podcasts and available for listeners to discover and subscribe to.
Checking your analytics in Apple Podcasts
Once your podcast is listed on Apple Podcasts, you can track your analytics using Apple’s built-in analytics tools. To access your analytics, log in to your Apple Connect account and click on your podcast.
From there, scroll to the bottom of the page until you see “View Analytics.”
You will be taken to your analytics page where you can view your podcast’s performance metrics, including the number of downloads, plays, and subscribers.
Once you have enough listen time, you will also be able to see more information on engaged listeners, countries, regions, and cities where your audience is located, and general listening trends.
Troubleshooting common submission issues
If you’re having trouble submitting your podcast to Apple Podcasts, there are a few common issues that you may encounter.
Here are some tips for troubleshooting these issues:
- Make sure that your podcast meets Apple’s technical requirements, including audio quality, cover art, and RSS feed formatting.
- Make sure that your podcast meets Apple’s content guidelines, including no explicit language or content. If you do include explicit language, this is fine, but you need to make sure that the relevant box is ticked declaring this in your podcast hosting platform so that your show can be appropriately labelled.
- Make sure that your podcast hosting service is working correctly and that your RSS feed is valid.
- If you’re still having trouble, contact Apple’s support team for assistance.
Conclusion
Getting your podcast on Apple Podcasts is a crucial step in building your audience and growing your podcast. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your podcast meets Apple’s requirements and is listed in the world’s largest podcast directory.
Remember to focus on creating high-quality content, optimizing your podcast title and description, and promoting your podcast to reach a wider audience. With a little bit of hard work and persistence, you can make your podcast a success on Apple Podcasts and beyond.
What do you think? Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments!
