I have good news for you: Spotify is the destination for podcasts, in command 35.8% of all listeners and over 40 million listeners per month in the US only.
And I have even better news: Spotify for Podcasters makes it easy to start a podcast and reach those listeners—no fancy equipment or advanced skills required. And once you start your show, you can find different ways to promote it market your podcasts to maximize your reach.
Here, I’ll cover everything you need to know about podcasting on Spotify, how to get your next episode on the platform, and hear from seasoned podcasters about their thoughts on the platform.
Content
What is Spotify Podcasts?
Spotify for Podcasters is a free and easy-to-use platform for hosting, creating and distributing your podcasts, suitable for both beginners and experienced podcasters.
Hosting your podcast on Spotify gives you access to multiple features to grow your show, engage with your audience, and monetize your content. Some of the prominent features include:
- Detailed analysis of shows and episodes.
- Monetization tools.
- Capture and edit within the app or platform.
- Q&A or polls to share with your audience to build engagement.
- “Video Episodes” for a unique viewing experience for fans.
You can use Spotify for Podcasters as your hosting platform or upload your episodes to Spotify using an RSS feed from your existing host.
And if you want some pro tips to help you create a successful podcast, I’ve got you covered there, too.
How RSS feeds work on Spotify
An RSS feed is a unique identity card for your podcast. I like to think of it as a home address, and, like a home address, there is only one RSS feed per podcast.
Each host gives you a code that you can copy and paste into different directories to share your episodes on other platforms, such as Apple Podcasts (host) to Spotify. RSS feeds are updated automatically, so you won’t have to share your link with other distributors repeatedly.
How to meet Spotify’s podcast requirements
The first step to starting a podcast on Spotify makes sure you fulfill your podcast requirements. Here’s a quick overview.
Your podcast should have:
- Title along with relevant details (ie category and primary language).
- Cover in 1:1 ratio and PNG, JPEG or TIFF format. The higher the resolution, the better.
- High bitrate MP3 format (128 kbps+) or MP4 with AAC-LC.
- Episodes that will not last longer than 12 hours.
Once you’ve completed the requirements in this checklist, you’re officially ready to upload your podcast to Spotify. See the steps below.
How to start a podcast on Spotify
- Create a Spotify for Podcasters account.
- Add information about your podcast.
- Upload your files.
- Add episode information.
- Share your podcast on other directories.
1. Create a Spotify for Podcasters account.
Unsurprisingly, you’ll need a Spotify for Podcasters account to upload your podcast to the platform. You can use this form to sign in and select “I want to start a podcast” or “I have a podcast.”
If you click on the first option, sign in with your existing Spotify account or create a new one. If you choose the second option, select your current podcast host from the list and claim your show by adding your RSS feed and entering the verification code you receive via email.
If you already have a podcast but want to switch to Spotify, follow the steps here.
2. Add information about your podcast.
After you set up your account, you’ll add information about your podcast, including:
- My podcast.
- Description.
- Cover page.
- Category.
- Language.
- Type of content (clear or explicit).
3. Upload your files.
If you already have a podcast, you can upload existing audio or video episodes or create and edit an episode within the Spotify for Podcasters platform.
Before uploading audio files, I recommend following a few best practices:
- Make sure your episode is formatted as an MP3, M4A, or WAV file.
- Smaller files load faster.
- Episodes must be shorter than 12 hours (while most are, this is the maximum length recommended by Spotify).
To load an episode ready for publication, click Quick Upload and upload an audio or video file. If you are creating from scratch, click Create an episode.
When you create an episode within the platform, you’ll be taken to a dashboard that allows you to record or upload audio, add previously uploaded files to your library, and edit and add effects.
I think the drag-and-drop builder is an easy way to build all your episodes, and you can review each one as many times as you want during the editing process.
4. Add episode information.
When you’re ready to publish, add an episode title, description, and publishing timeline. You can also note whether the episode is part of a series, the type of episode, and whether the content is clear or explicit.
Don’t forget your cover photo! It should be formatted as a high-resolution PNG, JPG or TIFF at a 1:1 ratio (or as a square image).
5. Share your podcast in other directories.
Once published, your podcast will be available to Spotify users worldwide. You will need to use your RSS link to share it on other platforms. At podcasters.spotify.com:
Click Settingshe says Podcast availability, then click RSS distribution to get your unique paste link at a specific distribution point in other directories.
Switch to Spotify for podcaster hosting
If you already have a podcast host but want to switch to Spotify for Podcasters, I think the process is relatively easy and you won’t lose any existing episodes or profiles on other platforms.
There are two ways to transfer your podcast to Spotify. Both are three simple steps.
Option 1: Add via your RSS feed.
1. If you already have a Spotify account, go to it The Spotify site for podcastersand click Get startedthen follow the steps to login.
2. Then select “I already have a podcast.”
3. Enter your RSS feed. If you don’t know your RSS feed, I think option two might be easier.
Option 2: Add podcasts via Spotify’s switcher page.
1. I just went for it he said Spotify for podcaster switching page and I used the search field to enter the name of my podcast. You can use the URL of the feed, but you can also simply type in the name.
2. I have verified that I am the owner of the podcast.
3. Finally, I signed up for a Spotify for Podcasters account (or you can import your podcast into an existing account and then redirect your RSS feed to point to your new Spotify URL). The exact process for this final step varies by hosting provider, so it’s best practice to follow their unique steps.
Once you’ve successfully migrated, you can use the platform for everything it has to offer and upload audio or video or create a new episode with built-in features.
Spotify for Podcasters: Expert Insight
I know there are There are multiple podcast hosting platforms availablebut I wanted to know what current Spotify users think of Podcasters, so I talked to some experts. Here’s what they had to say:
“A fair way for creatives”
Troy Sandidge, host iDigress The podcast says, “Spotify provides podcasters with tons of creative tools and features for sharing podcast episodes.”
Sandidge goes on to share that Spotify for Podcasters is particularly beneficial to minority-led podcasters, with its programs like “Making Space” initiative that “literally helps podcasters find free places to record episodes.
It’s by far such a phenomenal way to make things more accessible to those who may not have the same financial ability to get started, but this provides a real pathway for more creatives to continue.”
“Huge benefits for podcasters”
Al and Leanne Elliot, hosts Truth, lies and workplace culturealso use Spotify for Podcasters:
“We’ve had Spotify as part of our Podcast Distribution mix since the beginning of the Truth Lies & Work podcast, and while it’s not a ‘silver bullet’ for podcast reach, we’ve seen huge benefits in using it and see a bright future for podcast distribution.”
Some of these benefits include:
- Spotify’s analytics (said to offer sharper insight than platforms like Apple Podcasts).
- Openness of the development team to receive feedback and ideas.
- Streamlined monetization process to integrate paid placements or ads.
- Frequent releases of new features that “help podcast creators and encourage listeners to switch to a platform with more familiar apps.”
“Turnkey solution”
Sandidge says, “From programs to community research and more, Spotify works to provide a fully modern turnkey solution along with training and opportunities to help creatives rise and grow.”
What about the cons?
As with all tools, there are always potential pitfalls. While the experts I spoke with gave mostly positive feedback, they shared a few challenges:
- The podcast category is a relatively new addition, so gaining visibility in search results can take some time. But even with that, there’s still good news — an advanced algorithm means there’s a good chance your listeners will find you somehow.
- Spotify isn’t always clear on how new features work. For example, the Elliotts say the question-and-answer panel is a unique feature, but they haven’t figured out where the answers appear.
Back to you
I find podcasting to be a great way to reach my audience, and Spotify for Podcasters is a great option for creating and hosting episodes.
In five easy steps, you can share your podcast on one of the largest podcasting platforms today. When your podcast goes live, don’t forget to share it far and wide.
I suggest making this a regular practice with each episode to increase viewership.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in August 2022 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-start-a-podcast-on-spotify
