Starting a podcast involves more than recording yourself talking and uploading an audio file to the internet. If you want your podcast to appear on apps such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other podcast players, you need a podcast RSS feed.
The good news is that you usually don’t have to build one from scratch.
Most podcast hosting platforms create and manage the RSS feed for you. You simply upload your episodes, add your podcast information, and the platform generates the feed.
Still, it’s worth understanding what an RSS feed actually is and how it works. When something goes wrong, knowing the basics can save you a lot of frustration.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how podcast RSS feeds work, how to create one, what information you need, and how to submit your feed to podcast directories.
What Is a Podcast RSS Feed?
An RSS feed is essentially a file that contains information about your podcast and its episodes. Think of it as a connection between your podcast and podcast apps.
When you publish a new episode, your podcast hosting platform updates the RSS feed. Podcast apps check the feed and discover the new episode.
The feed can contain information such as your podcast name, description, artwork, author, category, language, and individual episode details.
It also contains the location of your audio files so podcast apps know where to find them. You don’t normally send each episode separately to every podcast app.
Instead, you submit your RSS feed once. The podcast directory reads the feed and uses the information inside it to display your show. That’s why the RSS feed is such an important part of podcasting.
Do You Need to Create an RSS Feed Yourself?
For most people, no.
You could technically create an RSS feed manually, but there’s very little reason to do that if you’re a beginner.
Podcast hosting services such as Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Podbean, Captivate, Transistor, and others generate RSS feeds automatically.
You create your podcast on the hosting platform, upload an episode, enter the required information, and the platform creates the feed.
This is much easier and reduces the chance of making a formatting mistake.
If you’re new to podcasting, I’d strongly recommend using a podcast host rather than trying to maintain an RSS file yourself.
Choose a Podcast Hosting Platform
Your first step is choosing where your podcast will be hosted. A podcast host stores your audio files and creates the RSS feed that podcast apps use.
There are many hosting platforms available, and they don’t all work exactly the same way. Some focus on beginners and simplicity.
Others offer advanced analytics, multiple shows, team features, monetization tools, or larger storage limits.
Buzzsprout is popular with beginners because its interface is relatively simple. Libsyn has been around for a long time and is widely used by established podcasters. Podbean offers hosting along with other podcasting features. Transistor is particularly appealing to people managing multiple podcasts.
The right choice depends on what you need. Don’t spend weeks looking for the “perfect” hosting platform. Your main goal at this stage is getting your podcast online.
Create Your Podcast
Once you’ve chosen a host, you’ll usually be asked to create your podcast. You’ll need some basic information. Start with your podcast name. Try to make it clear and memorable.
Then write a description explaining what the podcast is about. You may also need to select a category, language, author name, and other details.
Take a little time with this information. Your podcast description isn’t just technical information for an RSS feed. It may also be used by podcast apps when displaying your show to potential listeners.
Explain what your podcast covers and who it’s for.
For example:
“The Beginner Podcast is a weekly show for people who want to start and grow their first podcast. Each episode covers recording, editing, marketing, equipment, and practical strategies for finding your first listeners.”
That’s much more useful than:
“A podcast about podcasting.”
Create Your Podcast Artwork
You’ll also need podcast artwork. This is the square image associated with your show.
It’s one of the first things potential listeners see, so don’t treat it as an afterthought. Your artwork should be easy to recognize even when it’s displayed as a small thumbnail.
Use a simple design. Make sure the podcast title is readable. Avoid cramming too much text into the image.
Before uploading it, check the current technical requirements of the podcast hosting platform and directories where you plan to submit your show. Requirements can change, so don’t rely on an old tutorial you found online.
Record Your First Episode
Before you can really test your podcast RSS feed, you’ll need at least one episode. Record your episode and edit it using your preferred audio software. You don’t need expensive equipment to get started.
A decent microphone, headphones, and a quiet recording space can be enough for a beginner. Once the episode is finished, export it in a format supported by your hosting platform.
MP3 is commonly used for podcast episodes because it provides a good balance between sound quality and file size.
Your podcast host will normally handle the process of making the audio available through your RSS feed.
Upload Your Episode
Now upload your finished audio file to your podcast hosting account. You’ll normally be asked to provide an episode title and description. You may also be able to add artwork specifically for that episode.
Don’t simply copy your podcast’s main description into every episode. Write something that tells listeners what this particular episode is about.
You can also include relevant links, guest information, timestamps, and other useful details.
Once everything looks correct, publish the episode. Your hosting platform should update your RSS feed automatically.
Find Your RSS Feed URL
After creating your podcast, your hosting platform will provide an RSS feed URL. It may look something like:
The exact address will depend on your hosting provider.
This URL is important.
Save it somewhere.
You’ll use it when submitting your podcast to directories. You can also open the URL in a web browser to make sure the feed exists.
Don’t worry if the page looks strange. RSS feeds are designed primarily for software to read, not for humans to browse.
You may see XML code containing your podcast information and episode details. That’s normal.
Check Your RSS Feed Before Submitting It
Before sending your feed to podcast directories, it’s a good idea to check that everything is correct. Look at your podcast title. Check the description. Make sure the author information is correct. Check your artwork. Confirm that your episode appears. Make sure the audio file works. Pay attention to your episode title and description too.
This is easier to fix now than after your podcast has already been distributed.
You can also use podcast RSS feed validation tools to check whether your feed meets the requirements of major podcast directories.
Submit Your RSS Feed to Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts is one of the most important podcast directories, so you’ll probably want your show there.
You’ll need an Apple account and access to Apple’s podcast publishing tools.
Instead of uploading every episode directly to Apple Podcasts, you submit your podcast’s RSS feed.
Apple reads the feed and uses it to display your podcast. Once your show is accepted, future episodes are generally delivered through the same feed. This is an important concept to understand.
You don’t normally need to submit every new episode manually. The RSS feed is the ongoing connection.
When your hosting platform updates it, the podcast directory can discover the new episode.
Submit Your Podcast to Spotify
Spotify is another major destination for podcasters. The submission process can depend on how your podcast is hosted and whether you’re using Spotify’s own podcasting tools.
If you’re using an external podcast host, you’ll generally provide your RSS feed when claiming or submitting your show.
Make sure you use the correct feed. If your hosting provider gives you more than one URL, don’t guess. Use the RSS feed specifically intended for podcast distribution.
Once Spotify has connected to your feed, your future episodes can be updated automatically.
Submit to Other Podcast Apps
You don’t have to stop with Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Depending on your audience, you may also want to distribute your show through Amazon Music, YouTube, Pocket Casts, Overcast, and other podcast services.
The exact submission process varies. Some platforms let you submit an RSS feed directly. Others may receive podcasts through distribution partnerships or directories.
Your podcast host may also offer one-click submission options for some services. Check which directories are currently supported by your hosting provider.
What Happens When You Publish a New Episode?
This is where the RSS feed really becomes useful. Imagine you publish Episode 10 on Monday morning.
You upload it to your podcast host and press publish. Your hosting platform updates your RSS feed.
The feed now contains information about Episode 10, including its title, description, publication date, and audio file location.
Podcast apps periodically check the feed. When they see the new episode, they can make it available to listeners.
You don’t have to log into Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and every other app and upload the MP3 separately.
That’s the beauty of RSS. One feed can distribute your podcast to many different platforms.
Don’t Change Your RSS Feed Without a Reason
Your RSS feed URL is something you should treat carefully. If you change podcast hosting providers, you may need to move your RSS feed.
A good podcast hosting service should provide tools for migrating your show while keeping your existing feed and subscribers connected.
Don’t simply delete your old podcast and create a completely new one unless you know exactly what you’re doing. You could create unnecessary problems for existing listeners.
When moving hosts, look for a migration or redirect feature. Your new host should be able to guide you through the process.
What If Your RSS Feed Isn’t Updating?
Sometimes a new episode doesn’t appear immediately.
Don’t panic.
Podcast apps don’t necessarily check your RSS feed every second. There can be some delay between publishing an episode and seeing it appear in an app.
First, check whether the episode appears correctly in your hosting dashboard.
Then check the RSS feed itself.
If the episode is missing from the feed, the problem is likely related to your hosting setup.
If the episode is present in the feed but missing from a particular app, the issue may be related to that directory’s update schedule or processing. Give it some time before assuming something is broken.
Can You Change Your Podcast After Launching?
Yes, in most cases.
You can usually update your podcast description, artwork, category, and other information through your hosting platform.
When you make changes, your RSS feed is updated. Podcast directories can then pick up those changes.
However, don’t constantly change your podcast’s identity. If you completely change the name, topic, artwork, and description every few weeks, listeners may become confused. Make changes when there’s a good reason.
Can You Have More Than One RSS Feed?
Yes.
If you run multiple podcasts, each show should normally have its own RSS feed. For example, you might have one feed for your business podcast and another for your interview show.
This keeps the shows separate. Each podcast can have its own name, artwork, description, episodes, and audience.
Some podcast hosting platforms make managing multiple feeds easier than others, so keep that in mind if you plan to create several shows.
Can You Create an RSS Feed Without a Podcast Host?
Technically, yes. You can create and host an RSS XML file yourself and make it available online.
But this isn’t the easiest option for most podcasters. You’d need to make sure the feed uses the correct structure and contains the appropriate podcast information.
You’d also need somewhere to host your audio files. And every time you publish an episode, you’d need to update the RSS feed correctly.
One small mistake could cause problems with podcast directories. For most creators, paying for podcast hosting is worth the convenience.
Final Thoughts
Creating a podcast RSS feed sounds technical, but it really doesn’t have to be. For most podcasters, the easiest approach is to use a podcast hosting platform. Then you can submit that feed to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast directories.
Once your podcast is connected, publishing new episodes becomes much easier. You upload an episode to your host, publish it, and the RSS feed updates automatically.
The most important thing to remember is that your RSS feed is the connection between your podcast and the apps where people listen.
You don’t need to understand every piece of XML code behind it.
You just need to know where your feed is, make sure the information inside it is accurate, and avoid changing it unnecessarily. If you’re launching your first podcast, don’t let the technical side scare you.