It seems like everyone has a podcast these days. According to Edison Research, 41% of Americans 12 years or older have listened to a podcast in the past month. That’s up from just 11% in 2016. And that number is only going to continue to grow.
So if you’re thinking about starting an Apple podcast, now is definitely the time. But before you do, there are some things you need to know. In this article, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about how to upload your podcast to Apple Podcasts/iTunes.
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What is Apple Podcasts/iTunes?
Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes Podcasts) is a directory of podcasts available for download through the iTunes Store. It was launched in 2005. As of December 2021, there were over 548,447 active podcasts and 2 million shows available.
Why Should You Upload Your Podcast to Apple Podcasts/iTunes?
The answer is simple: because that’s where your audience is.
As of 2022, iTunes is still the most popular podcast directory. In fact, it’s estimated that 21% of all podcast listeners use Apple Podcasts. So if you want to reach the widest audience possible, you need to be on iTunes.
Plus, being in the iTunes directory can actually help you improve your ranking in other directories like Stitcher and Google Play. That’s because iTunes is one of the main sources that these other directories use to populate their own listings.
So if you want to make sure your podcast is easy to find and that you’re reaching the widest possible audience, uploading to Apple Podcasts/iTunes is a must.
Now that we’ve answered the question of why you should upload to iTunes, let’s take a look at how to actually do it.
How To Upload Your Podcast to Apple Podcasts/iTunes
1. Fill Out Podcast Info in Apple Podcasts Connect Account
The first thing you need to do is sign in to your Apple Podcasts Connect dashboard. This is where you’ll manage all of your podcast information and episodes.
If you don’t have an iTunes Connect account yet, you can create one here.
Once you’re logged in, click on the “Podcasts” tab and then select “+ New Podcast.”
This is where you’ll enter all of your podcast information, including the name, description, podcast artwork, and more.
Make sure to fill out all of the required fields (marked with a red asterisk) as well as any optional fields that apply to your show.
2. Convert Your Audio File to MP3 Format
The next step is to convert your audio file into MP3 format. This is the format that iTunes uses for a podcast episode.
There are a number of ways to do this, but we recommend using a tool like Audacity or Auphonic. Both of these tools are free and easy to use.
Once your audio files are in MP3 format, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
3. Host Your Podcast Online
In order for iTunes to be able to find and play your podcast episodes, you need to podcast host them somewhere online. This is called podcast hosting.
There are a number of different podcast hosting platform to choose from. Some of the widely used options include Podbean, Libsyn, and Buzzsprout.
Once you’ve selected a provider, sign up for an account and follow their instructions for uploading at least one episode.
Related: 20 Best Podcast Hosting Platforms
4. Pick Podcast Category and Language
This helps iTunes know where to place your show in its Apple podcasts directory. It’s important to be as specific as possible with your category selections, and you can choose up to three. For example, if you have a show about business, you might select “Business,” “Management & Marketing,” and “Careers.”
As for language, simply select the one that best suits your podcast.
5. Create Apple ID and Submit it to Apple Podcasts Connect
Now that you have all the pieces in place, it’s time to create an Apple ID (assuming you don’t already have one). This is the account you’ll use to submit your show to Apple Podcasts Connect.
To create an ID, head to Apple’s website and click “Create your Apple ID.” From there, fill out the required information and agree to the terms and conditions. Once your account is created, sign in to Apple Podcast Connect with your new ID.
6. Create an RSS Feed
The first thing you need to do is create a podcast’s RSS feed for your podcast. This is a file that contains all of the information about your podcast episodes, like the title, description, date, and file location.
If you’re using WordPress for your website, there are a few plugins you can use to easily create an RSS feed for your podcast, like PowerPress and Seriously Simple Podcasting.
If you’re not using WordPress, you can use a service like Feedburner to create an RSS feed for your podcast.
To create a podcast RSS feed with Feedburner, just enter the URL of your website and Feedburner will generate a feed for you.
Related: What Is a Podcast Feed URL: Everything You Need to Know
How to Create a FeedBurner Feed for Podcasting?
You’ve recorded your audio file, edited it, and added some ID3 tags. Now it’s time to turn it into a bona fide podcast! The final step is to create an RSS feed for your podcast using FeedBurner’s SmartCast service.
With SmartCast, any blogging tool that creates a feed can be used to publish your podcast. Simply add a link (<a href=””></a>) to your audio/video file in your blog post, and they’ll automatically convert it to an RSS enclosure — a special link found only in your feed. This link is recognized by software like iTunes, iPodder, and NetNewsWire, which will playback the enclosed audio or video file.
Google Reader and many other online readers also acknowledge enclosures and offer a playback link or audio control when they encounter them. So, whether you’re using Blogger, WordPress, or another blogging tool, creating an RSS feed for your podcast is easy with FeedBurner SmartCast!
7. Validate Your RSS Feed
Once you’ve created your RSS feed, the next step is to validate it. This means making sure that the file is formatted correctly and that there are no errors.
The best way to validate your RSS podcast feed is to use a service like FeedValidator. Just enter the URL of your RSS feed and FeedValidator will check it for you.
The best way to validate your RSS feed is to use a service like W3C. Just enter the URL of your RSS feed and Feed Validator will check it for you.
8. Submit Your RSS Feed to Apple Podcasts/iTunes
Once you’ve created and validated your RSS feed, the next step is to submit it to Apple Podcasts/iTunes.
You can do this by going to the iTunes Podcasts Connect website and signing in with your Apple ID.
- Once you’re signed in, click on the “+” sign to add a new podcast.
- Enter the RSS feed URL of your podcast and click “Validate.”
- iTunes will now validate your RSS feed and, if everything is correct, you should see a “Success” message.
- Click on the “Submit” button to submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts website
It can take a few days for your podcast to show up in the iTunes store. But once it does, you’ll be able to reach a whole new audience of potential listeners!
9. Optimize Your Podcast for iTunes
Now that your podcast is up and running on Apple Podcasts app, it’s time to optimize it for maximum visibility.
Here are a few things you can do:
- Create a great cover art image. This will be the first thing people see when they come across your podcast, so make sure it’s eye-catching and represents your show well.
- Choose a catchy title and description. These are the next things people will see, so make sure they’re interesting and make people want to listen to your podcast.
- Use keywords judiciously. When people search for podcasts on iTunes, the results are ordered by relevance. So if you use relevant keywords in your title, description, and tags, your podcast is more likely to show up higher in the search results.
Related: 12 Cool Tricks to Grow Your Number of Podcast Listeners
10. Promote Your Podcast
Now that your podcast is up and running, it’s time to start promoting it!
Here are a few ways to promote your podcast:
- Share it on social media. This is a great way to let your friends and followers know about your new podcast.
- Submit it to directories. There are many online directories that list podcasts, such as Podcast Alley and iTunes New & Noteworthy. Submitting your podcast to these directories can help you reach a wider audience.
- Do a guest appearance on another podcast. This is a great way to get exposure to a new audience and promote your own show at the same time.
- Run ads. You can use services like Google AdWords or iTunes Promotional Cards to run ads for your podcast.
Related: PODCAST PROMOTION: The Complete List
Final Thoughts
Podcasting is a great way to reach a new audience and build your brand. By following the steps in this guide, you can get your podcast up and running on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in no time. And once you’ve done that, be sure to promote your show so you can reach the widest possible audience. You can also check our article on Podcast Analytics for insights on your audience growth and engagement. With a little effort, you can make your podcast a success!
FAQs
How much does it cost to put the podcast on Apple?
If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, one of the first questions you might have is how much it will cost to put your show on Apple Podcasts. The good news is that, unlike many other platforms, Apple doesn’t charge any fees for hosting your podcast. All you need is an iTunes account and a valid email address, and you can start submitting your show for approval.
Once your podcast is approved, it will be available for anyone to listen to on Apple Podcasts. Of course, there are a few other costs to consider, such as the price of recording equipment and editing software. But overall, Apple Podcasts is one of the most affordable ways to get your podcast up and running.
Do podcasts on Apple make money?
Making money from podcasts isn’t as simple as just putting them up on Apple. In fact, unless your podcast is part of a larger media company, it’s unlikely that you’ll see much in the way of revenue from your show. That’s because, while Apple does sell advertising on its podcast platform, the vast majority of that revenue goes to the shows that are owned by major media companies.
For example, NPR, which produces many popular podcasts, is estimated to make around $1 million per year from Apple ads. By contrast, independent podcasters often struggle to generate even a few hundred dollars in advertising revenues.
Can anyone put a podcast on Apple?
Any person with an Apple ID can submit a podcast to iTunes. You’ll need to have your podcast hosted somewhere, and then you can submit it using Apple’s Podcasts Connect. The whole process is pretty simple and only takes a few minutes.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, your podcast will be subject to Apple’s content guidelines. This means that it can’t contain offensive language or explicit (adult) content.
In addition, Apple does reserve the right to reject any podcast for any reason, so there’s no guarantee that your podcast will be accepted. However, as long as you stick to the guidelines and create a quality show, there’s a good chance that your podcast will be approved and available on iTunes.
