Getting your podcast onto Apple Podcasts is one of the first big steps you can take as a new podcaster.
Apple Podcasts has been around for years, but it remains one of the most important places for people to discover and listen to podcasts. The good news is that you don’t need to be a technical expert to get your show there.
You also don’t actually upload an MP3 file directly into Apple Podcasts in the way you might upload a video to YouTube. Instead, your podcast is hosted somewhere else, and Apple Podcasts uses your RSS feed to find your episodes. That sounds more complicated than it really is.
Once you understand how the system works, submitting a podcast becomes pretty straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your podcast on Apple Podcasts.
How Apple Podcasts Works
Before submitting your show, it’s helpful to understand one important thing. Apple Podcasts is a podcast directory and listening platform. Your actual audio files are normally stored with a podcast hosting company.
Your host creates an RSS feed for your podcast. That RSS feed contains information about your show, including:
- Your podcast title.
- Description.
- Cover artwork.
- Episode titles.
- Episode descriptions.
- Audio file URLs.
- Publication dates.
- Other podcast information.
You give Apple Podcasts your RSS feed URL. Apple then reads that feed and displays your podcast in Apple Podcasts. So the process is basically:
Create podcast → upload episodes to a podcast host → get RSS feed → submit RSS feed to Apple Podcasts → Apple reviews your show → podcast becomes available.
Once you’ve published the show, you normally continue uploading new episodes to your podcast host. Your host updates the RSS feed, and Apple Podcasts picks up the changes.
That’s why you generally don’t need to manually upload every new episode to Apple.
Step 1: Create Your Podcast
Obviously, you need a podcast before you can submit one. You don’t need 20 episodes.
You can start with one completed episode, although having several episodes ready can make your launch feel more substantial. Think about your podcast’s basic identity.
Choose a name that is easy to remember and relevant to the subject. Write a short description explaining what the show is about. Decide how often you want to publish.
Choose your category. And create artwork. Try not to overthink everything. Your first version doesn’t need to be perfect. You can improve the podcast as you learn.
Step 2: Choose a Podcast Hosting Service
You need somewhere to store your podcast’s audio files. This is where podcast hosting comes in. Popular hosting services include platforms such as Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Podbean, Captivate, Transistor, and others.
The exact features and pricing vary, but the basic job is the same. You upload your episode to the hosting platform. The platform stores the audio.
It creates and manages your RSS feed. It gives you podcast analytics. And it distributes your feed to listening platforms.
If you’re a beginner, choose a host that makes publishing simple. There’s no need to choose a complicated platform just because it has dozens of advanced features you may never use.
Step 3: Prepare Your Podcast Artwork
Your podcast needs cover artwork. This is often the first thing potential listeners see, so it’s worth putting some effort into.
Keep the design simple. Your podcast title should be readable even when the artwork appears as a small thumbnail.
Avoid putting a huge amount of text on the image. Use clear fonts. Choose an image or graphic that relates to the subject.
Apple Podcasts has specific artwork requirements, so check Apple’s current technical specifications before submitting. Apple can change requirements over time, so don’t rely on an old blog post you found online.
A high-quality square image is the standard format you should work toward.
Step 4: Record Your First Episode
Now you need your audio. You don’t need a $1,000 microphone to start. A decent USB microphone can be enough for a beginner.
More important than expensive equipment is recording in a quiet room and getting your microphone positioned correctly. Try to avoid rooms with lots of echo.
Once you’ve recorded your episode, edit out obvious mistakes, long silences, distracting noises, and anything else that makes the episode difficult to follow. Then export your finished episode as an appropriate audio file.
MP3 is commonly used for podcast distribution because it provides a good balance between sound quality and file size.
Step 5: Upload the Episode to Your Podcast Host
Once your episode is finished, upload it to your podcast hosting account. You’ll usually need to enter information such as:
- Episode title.
- Episode description.
- Publication date.
- Episode number.
- Season number, if applicable.
- Episode type.
- Artwork, if you’re using episode-specific artwork.
Your host will then add the episode to your RSS feed. This is the feed you’ll eventually submit to Apple Podcasts.
Step 6: Find Your RSS Feed
This is the part that confuses many beginners. Your RSS feed is simply a web address containing your podcast’s information. It might look something like:
The exact address depends on your hosting company. Most podcast hosts make finding it easy. Look inside your hosting dashboard for something called:
Step 7: Create an Apple Account
To submit your podcast, you’ll need an Apple Account. If you already use Apple services, you may already have one. If you don’t, you’ll need to create an account.
Make sure your account information is accurate. You don’t need an Apple device just to submit a podcast, although Apple services may have different requirements depending on the account and feature you’re using.
Step 8: Use Apple Podcasts Connect
Apple provides a service called Apple Podcasts Connect for managing podcast submissions. Sign in and look for the option to add a new show.
You’ll be asked for your podcast RSS feed. Paste the RSS feed URL into the submission area. Apple will retrieve the information from your feed.
This is why it’s important to check your RSS feed before submitting. If your title, description, artwork, or episode information is wrong in your podcast host, those problems can appear in your Apple submission too.
Step 9: Validate Your Podcast
Apple checks your RSS feed before you can submit the show. This validation step is important. It looks for problems that could prevent your podcast from being properly displayed.
For example, your feed might be missing required information. Your artwork could have a problem. Your audio file might not be accessible. There could be an issue with your RSS feed.
If Apple reports an error, don’t panic. Read the message carefully. Most feed problems can be fixed inside your podcast hosting account. After fixing the problem, validate the feed again.
Step 10: Review Your Podcast Information
- Before submitting, slow down for a minute and look at everything.
- Check the podcast title.
- Check the author name.
- Read the description.
- Look at the artwork.
- Check your category.
- Check the episode titles.
- Listen to your first episode.
- Make sure everything looks professional.
- This is your first impression.
You don’t want to submit the show and then realize you accidentally spelled the podcast name incorrectly.
Step 11: Submit Your Podcast
Once everything looks good, submit the podcast for review. Apple reviews new podcast submissions before making them available.
The exact review time can vary, so don’t panic if your show doesn’t appear immediately.
You’ll receive information through your Apple account or email if there is a problem or if your podcast has been accepted.
Once approved, your show can appear in Apple Podcasts. That’s it. You’ve officially submitted your podcast.
You Don’t Have to Upload Every Episode to Apple
This is one of the most important things for beginners to understand. After your podcast has been approved, you don’t normally go back to Apple Podcasts and upload each MP3 manually.
Instead, you upload your new episode to your podcast host. Your host updates the RSS feed.
Apple Podcasts checks the feed and picks up the new episode. So your normal workflow becomes:
Record → edit → upload to host → publish → RSS feed updates → Apple Podcasts receives the episode.
This makes podcast publishing much easier.
How Long Does It Take for a New Episode to Appear?
New episodes aren’t necessarily visible on Apple Podcasts immediately after you publish them. There can be a delay while Apple processes the RSS feed. Don’t immediately assume something is broken. Give the system some time.
If the episode still isn’t appearing after a reasonable period, check your RSS feed and make sure the episode was actually published rather than saved as a draft.
Your podcast hosting dashboard may also provide information about whether the episode has been successfully published.
What If Apple Rejects Your Podcast?
Don’t panic. A rejection doesn’t necessarily mean your podcast is permanently banned. Apple may identify a technical problem or an issue with your content or metadata.
Read the reason carefully. Fix whatever needs to be fixed. Then follow Apple’s instructions for resubmission.
It’s also worth remembering that podcast directories have content and technical requirements.
Don’t assume that anything allowed on one platform is automatically acceptable everywhere else.
Final Thoughts
Uploading a podcast to Apple Podcasts sounds more complicated than it really is. The biggest thing to remember is that you’re usually not uploading your podcast directly to Apple.
Your podcast lives with a hosting provider. That provider creates your RSS feed. You submit that RSS feed through Apple Podcasts Connect.
Apple reviews the show.
Once it’s approved, new episodes are delivered through the RSS feed when you publish them through your host.
The basic process is:
Create your podcast → choose a host → upload your first episode → get your RSS feed → submit it to Apple Podcasts Connect → pass validation → submit for review → start promoting your show.
Take a little time to get your artwork, description, episode titles, and audio quality right before submitting. And don’t worry about making everything perfect.
Your first podcast will probably look very different from your hundredth episode. The important thing is to start.
Get the show ready, submit the RSS feed, publish your first episode, and then focus on making the next episode better than the last one.