Launching a podcast is only half the battle. Getting it into the major distribution channels—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube—maximises reach, SEO, and monetisation potential. This guide walks you through the entire submission process, the timing you can expect, and the most common pitfalls that can delay or block your launch.
Key Takeaways
- One RSS feed, everywhere. Your host generates a single RSS feed; paste it into each platform.
- Target the giants first. Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts capture the vast majority of listeners.
- Approval is quick. Spotify typically clears your submission within hours; Apple Podcasts usually takes 1–3 days.
- Art and feed integrity matter. Invalid cover art or RSS errors are the top reasons for rejection.
- Automation follows approval. Once approved, new episodes flow automatically via your RSS feed.
Why List Your Podcast on Multiple Platforms
Listing across several apps improves discoverability through playlists, search, and trending charts. The benefits include:
- Massive audience reach. Hundreds of millions of listeners increase sponsorship appeal.
- SEO boost. Major directories are indexed by Google, driving organic traffic.
- Multiple recommendation engines. Each platform surfaces your show to distinct audiences.
- Zero friction for listeners. Fans already use these apps, making onboarding effortless.
- Cross‑device playback. From phones to smart speakers, your show plays everywhere.
Podcast Apps vs Podcast Directories: What’s the Difference?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, the distinction matters. A podcast directory stores metadata, descriptions, and the RSS feed—how listeners find shows. A podcast app is the software listeners use to stream and download episodes. Most major platforms, like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, function as both.
What You Need Before Submitting Your Podcast
Before you hit submit, make sure you have:
- Your host’s RSS feed URL
- At least one fully published episode
- A clear title, category, and description that match your audience’s search intent
- Cover art that is 3000×3000 px, RGB, under 500 KB, and free of obscure text
- A valid email address linked to the feed
How to Submit Your Podcast: 6‑Step Guide
- Choose a host and publish your first episode. A reliable host generates your RSS feed and stores your audio.
- Validate the feed. Run it through a validator (e.g., Cast Feed Validator or Podba.se) to catch missing tags, bad emails, or wrong categories.
- Set up accounts. Create or log into Spotify for Creators, Apple Podcast Connect, and YouTube Studio to access analytics and manage listings.
- Submit the RSS URL. Paste the feed into each platform’s submission page; most will auto‑validate within seconds.
- Wait for approval. Spotify often approves within a few hours; Apple Podcasts typically takes 1–3 days. Avoid edits during this window.
- Claim and promote. Once approved, claim your show in the dashboards, verify listings, and share the platform‑specific share URLs—not the raw RSS feed—to attract listeners.
Why Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts Should Be Your First Three
Spotify: The Discovery Powerhouse
With over 600 million global users, Spotify is a primary channel for new listeners. It also offers free hosting through Spotify for Creators, making upload straightforward.
YouTube: The Fastest‑Growing Podcast Audience
According to Edison Research’s Infinite Dial 2025, 33% of weekly podcast listeners turn first to YouTube. Roughly 48% of U.S. adults 12+ have both watched and listened to podcasts on the platform.
Apple Podcasts (iTunes): The iOS Default
Apple Podcasts remains the default app on every iPhone, essential for reaching the iOS audience. Since it isn’t a host, you’ll need a separate provider before submitting via Podcast Connect.
Other Platforms Worth Considering
- Amazon Music
- iHeartRadio
- TuneIn
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- Castbox
Common Reasons Podcast Submissions Get Rejected (And How to Fix Them)
- Cover art failures. Both Spotify and Apple require a square JPEG/PNG at 3000×3000 px, RGB, <500 KB, and legible at thumbnail size.
- Invalid RSS feed. Check for missing iTunes tags, malformed email addresses, or absent categories.
- Placeholder metadata. The first episode must have a real title, description, and audio file—no “Test” or “Coming soon” placeholders.
- Unflagged explicit content. Mark your show as explicit in your host; Apple will pause submissions that should be flagged.
- Feed 404s. If your host is down or you change URLs mid‑review, the submission stalls. Avoid host migrations during a submission window.
Your First Week After Going Live
- Verify your listings on each platform—check art, description, and episode list.
- Claim your shows in the creator dashboards for analytics.
- Share platform‑specific links, not the raw RSS feed.
- Ask 3–5 trusted listeners to subscribe and rate; early reviews influence Apple’s New & Noteworthy picks.
- Publish your second episode within seven days to show momentum.
Tracking Performance Across Platforms
Each major directory offers its own analytics, but third‑party tools like Chartable, Podtrac, and Podchaser provide a unified view. Key metrics to monitor from day one are downloads, unique listeners, completion rate, subscriber count, and 5‑star reviews. Don’t obsess in the first month; focus on the trend.
Get Help With Your Podcast
At Music Radio Creative, we support podcasters from concept to distribution. Whether you need a custom intro/outro, full‑episode editing, or end‑to‑end production, our team can help. We also run the UK Podcasters Directory and publish guides on audience growth and advertising.
Have a question that isn’t answered here? Browse our FAQ or contact us for a personalised consultation.
