How to Publish Your Podcast on Spotify

Whether you're sharing interviews, industry insights, or entertaining stories, podcasts have proven to be one of the most engaging ways to connect with audiences worldwide. Spotify, in particular, has skyrocketed in popularity as a leading podcast platform, boasting an extensive global user base. If you’re eager to showcase your podcast to a wide audience, learning how to publish it on Spotify is essential.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

• Why you should choose Spotify for hosting your podcast.
• Technical requirements you need to meet before submitting your show.
• A step-by-step walkthrough for uploading and verifying your podcast.
• Strategies for analyzing and promoting your episodes.
• Common pitfalls and troubleshooting solutions.

By the end, you’ll be fully equipped to make the most of Spotify’s powerful features and expand your podcast’s reach in a meaningful way.

1. The Value of Hosting on Spotify

1.1 Expansive User Community

Spotify has evolved from a music-focused service into a multimedia platform offering millions of tracks, videos, and podcasts. With hundreds of millions of active users across numerous countries, Spotify provides a massive potential listener base for your podcast. Listeners are accustomed to discovering new content via Spotify’s personalized recommendations, which means your show can be introduced to people who’ve never encountered it before.

1.2 Data-Driven Insights

Another benefit of publishing on Spotify is access to robust audience analytics. Using Spotify’s built-in tools, you can review stats on user demographics, the devices they use, and overall listening trends. This data is invaluable for tailoring your content, refining your marketing approach, and gauging the success of each episode.

1.3 Seamless Integration and Discoverability

Spotify excels at making content easy to find. The algorithm that suggests new podcasts to users is particularly adept at identifying their musical and spoken-word interests. For creators, this can significantly lower the barrier to discovery, as your show might appear in curated lists or recommended sections.

1.4 Creator-Friendly Features

Podcast creators on Spotify enjoy various perks, including:

• Episode-Level Performance: Track how each episode performs, revealing which topics resonate most with listeners.
• Flexible Monetization: Explore opportunities like sponsorships or ads, depending on local availability.
• Promotional Assets: Use shareable links or embed options to promote episodes on social media or websites.

All of these factors combine to make Spotify an ideal platform for both established podcasts and newcomers aiming to attract a devoted listenership.

2. Prepping Your Podcast for Spotify

2.1 Confirming an RSS Feed

If you plan to host a podcast, the first technical requirement is a valid RSS feed. Your podcast hosting service—whether it’s Libsyn, Podbean, Anchor, or another platform—must generate this feed. The RSS link allows Spotify to pull your show’s metadata, audio files, and cover art into its own library so that users can access episodes seamlessly.

Key Points:

• Make sure your RSS feed is up to date.
• Ensure the feed includes correct metadata such as show title, author, category, and descriptions.
• Verify your hosting platform supports distribution to Spotify.

2.2 Publishing Your First Episode

You must have at least one live episode before Spotify will accept your show. This step ensures your feed is active and ready to be discovered. For instance, an introductory “trailer” episode can serve as an ideal preview of what your series will cover.

2.3 Audio File Format and Bitrate

Spotify outlines specific audio guidelines. Generally, episodes should be in MP3 format at a bitrate between 96 and 320 kbps. For high-quality audio, 160 kbps is often recommended. Using MP3 ensures consistent playback across devices, delivering a smooth experience for your audience.

2.4 Cover Art Requirements

Spotify requires clear, high-resolution images for your show’s artwork. Acceptable formats include JPEG or PNG, sized between 1400 × 1400 and 3000 × 3000 pixels. Strive for an eye-catching, relevant design to help your podcast stand out.

2.5 Labeling Explicit Content

Mark any episode containing strong language or adult themes as explicit. Mislabeling your content could lead to its removal or misclassification. If you’re uncertain whether the content qualifies as explicit, it’s safer to label it as such than risk violating Spotify’s rules.

By handling these preliminary tasks—verifying your RSS feed, uploading at least one episode, meeting audio specifications, and properly labeling your work—you set the stage for a smooth upload process and strong first impression on Spotify.

3. Submitting Your Podcast: Step by Step

3.1 Gather Key Information

Before initiating the submission, compile a checklist:

• Podcast Title and Description: Make sure they are concise yet compelling.
• Cover Art: Prepare your image following Spotify’s guidelines.
• Episode Count: At least one published show is required.
• RSS Feed: Confirm the URL is correct and functional.

3.2 Create a Spotify for Podcasters Account

Next, visit Spotify for Podcasters. Click “Get Started,” then either log in to an existing Spotify account or create a new one. This portal is where you’ll eventually track your show’s performance metrics.

3.3 Link Your RSS Feed

After creating your Podcasters account, select “Add Your Podcast.” A prompt appears for you to paste your RSS feed link. Review your hosting platform to ensure the feed is up to date, then paste it. Spotify will pull in the metadata, including show title and description, directly from your feed.

3.4 Email Verification

Shortly after submitting, Spotify sends a code to the email address associated with your RSS feed. Check that inbox for the verification code. Enter this on the Spotify submission page to confirm your ownership.

3.5 Final Review and Submission

Finally, you’ll see a summary of your show’s name, description, and artwork. Double-check these details:

• Title: Free of spelling errors and clearly identifies your brand.
• Description: Engaging summary that appeals to potential listeners.
• Category: Matches the core topic of your podcast, e.g. “Comedy,” “Business,” or “Education.”
• Explicit Setting: Properly marked if necessary.

Once approved, your podcast typically appears on Spotify within hours or up to a few days. At this point, your main tasks revolve around promoting episodes, tracking performance, and sustaining audience interest with fresh content.

4. Exploring Spotify for Podcasters Dashboard

4.1 Overview at a Glance

Upon your show’s approval, you’ll gain access to the Spotify for Podcasters dashboard. The first landing page, “Overview,” displays top-level statistics—total streams, listeners, and followers. This snapshot conveys your show’s general performance and helps you quickly check if your recent episodes are drawing attention.

4.2 Episodes Management

Within the “Episodes” section, you can:

• View Episode Lists: See every published installment, sorted by release date or other metrics.
• Engagement Stats: Identify how many starts, streams, or followers each episode acquires.
• Completion Rates: Find out where listeners drop off, guiding improvements in length or structure.

4.3 Audience Insights

The “Audience” tab offers further breakdowns of your listeners’ demographics, including gender, age group, and geographic location. With knowledge of your audience’s background, you can tailor content more precisely. For example, if a large segment listens from a specific region, you can incorporate relevant local references or topics.

4.4 Catalog Updates

Lastly, the “Catalog” tab is where you update your show details, schedule new releases, or edit existing episodes. If you ever need to change your cover art, category, or show description, you can do it here.

Harnessing these analytics and management features allows you to refine your content strategy, ensuring that each new episode resonates strongly with your core audience.

5. Promotion and Growth Strategies

5.1 Leverage Social Media

Boost visibility by sharing each new episode on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social networks. Encourage fans to click your Spotify link, subscribe, and leave reviews. Positive ratings and reviews improve your show’s chances of surfacing in Spotify’s recommendation system.

5.2 Optimize Your Description and Keywords

Write an enticing summary that highlights what makes your show unique. Include relevant keywords to help Spotify’s search algorithm match your podcast with interested listeners. For instance, a marketing podcast could weave terms like “digital marketing,” “content strategy,” and “branding” into the text.

5.3 Cross-Promote on Social Media

Boost visibility by sharing each new episode on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other social networks. Encourage fans to click your Spotify link, subscribe, and leave reviews. Positive ratings and reviews improve your show’s chances of surfacing in Spotify’s recommendation system.

5.4 Collaborate with Other Creators

Guest appearances or co-hosting with established creators in your niche can expose your show to their listeners. This cross-promotion technique is a proven way to attract new subscribers. It also nurtures valuable relationships within your industry, potentially opening doors to future collaborations.

5.5 Leverage Spotify Tools

Spotify offers additional promotional features like:

• Canvas: Looping visuals displayed on the mobile app while an episode plays.
• Promo Cards: Preformatted graphics to share on social platforms.
• Playlists: Create or engage with curated lists that might feature your show alongside other relevant content.

Combining these strategies maximizes your show’s reach, helping you gain momentum in a competitive podcast environment.

6. Addressing Common Challenges

6.1 Review Timeline

After submission, Spotify’s review typically takes a few business days. If your show isn’t visible right away, give it some time. Patience is crucial, as the moderation team checks to ensure that all uploaded podcasts meet content guidelines.

6.2 RSS Feed Errors

Sometimes, issues arise if the RSS feed is incorrectly formatted or missing essential tags. To avoid complications:

• Validate your feed using an online RSS checker.
• Confirm that your hosting service supports Spotify distribution.
• Keep your feed updated whenever you add or modify episodes.

6.3 Technical Requirements

If your audio format or cover art dimensions don’t align with Spotify’s requirements, your submission may be delayed. Double-check file formats and sizes before re-uploading any content.

6.4 Copyright Infractions

Ensure you possess the rights for any music or other audio content embedded in your show. Using unlicensed material can lead to takedowns or penalties, so always clarify permissions beforehand.

6.5 Limited Episode Count

Submitting with no active episodes is not permitted. Even if you plan to launch soon, publish at least an introductory trailer to kick-start the submission process.

If these checks don’t resolve your podcast’s visibility issues, contact Spotify Support for personalized assistance. They can help isolate feed glitches or clarify specific policies so you can make adjustments quickly.

7. Bonus Tip: Use AccurateScribe.ai for Podcast Transcriptions

Transcribing your podcast episodes is a fantastic way to broaden your reach. With text versions of your audio, you can:

• Accommodate Different Audience Needs: People with hearing impairments or those who prefer reading over listening will still have access to your content.
• Boost SEO: Search engines can index text, potentially helping your podcast surface for relevant keywords.
• Repurpose Content: Convert transcripts into blog posts, social updates, or show notes without reinventing the wheel.

AccurateScribe.ai provides seamless transcription services. Simply upload your episode audio, select the desired format, and let the platform handle the rest. This approach not only improves accessibility but also increases the likelihood that potential listeners find your podcast when searching for specific topics online.

Conclusion

Publishing your podcast on Spotify brings a wealth of opportunities for growth and engagement. The platform’s colossal user base, combined with diverse data tools, paves the way for effective audience targeting and continuous show development. By adhering to Spotify’s technical requirements, carefully managing your RSS feed, and proactively promoting your episodes, you can build a thriving community around your content.

Should your show ever hit a snag—like a delayed review or RSS feed glitch—don’t lose heart. Persistent efforts, combined with Spotify’s supportive resources, will put you back on track. Whether you’re a newcomer testing the podcasting waters or an established voice aiming to broaden your listenership, Spotify offers a reliable springboard for long-term success.

Above all, remember that attracting listeners often goes hand in hand with creating valuable, quality content. Keep sharing episodes that resonate with your audience, watch your podcast flourish, and enjoy the rewards of hosting on one of the world’s premier audio platforms.