To publish a podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other apps, you upload your episodes to a podcast hosting service, which generates an RSS feed; then you submit that feed once to each platform and, from then on, every new episode shows up on all of them automatically. YouTube works a little differently: you can upload episodes as videos or, in some cases, connect your feed. This guide walks you through every step.
Step 1: get your podcast ready before publishing
Have these ready:
- Your show’s name and description. See how to choose a name.
- Square, high-resolution cover art; the most widely accepted size is 3000 × 3000 pixels. Check out how to design your cover art.
- A primary category (and a secondary one if it applies).
- At least one episode in a common audio format, like MP3, with a title and description.
- An email address you actually check, because platforms use it to verify that the podcast is yours.
Step 2: choose a hosting service
Spotify and Apple don’t store your audio directly from your computer: you need a podcast host. When choosing, compare:
| Criterion | What to check |
|---|---|
| Price | Whether there’s a free plan and what its limits are |
| Storage | Hours of audio per month |
| Analytics | Whether it shows downloads and retention |
| Distribution | Whether it sends your feed to several platforms in one click |
| Ownership | That you can export your feed if you switch |
Some streaming platforms also offer their own tools for creating and publishing podcasts. Review each one’s terms, and make sure they let you take your content with you if you ever switch.
Step 3: create your podcast on the host
Fill in your show’s details, upload the cover art, and publish your first episode. The service will automatically generate your RSS feed: a web address containing the information for all your episodes. If you want to understand what it is, read what a podcast RSS feed is.
Step 4: submit your feed to Spotify
From Spotify’s creator dashboard (or from your host, if it has automatic distribution):
- Log in or create your creator account.
- Choose the option to add an existing podcast.
- Paste your RSS feed.
- Verify ownership with the code sent to your email.
- Fill in the category, language, and country.
Approval is usually quick, but it can vary.
Step 5: submit your feed to Apple Podcasts
From Apple’s creator portal:
- Sign in with your Apple account.
- Add a new show with your RSS feed.
- Check that the information and cover art look right.
- Submit it for review.
Apple reviews shows manually, so approval may take a little longer.
Step 6: other apps
Many other podcast apps read the public directories and add you on their own; others have their own submission form. Your host will usually tell you which ones it covers automatically.
Step 7: YouTube
You have two paths:
- Upload episodes as videos. Ideal if you record on video or with an avatar on a set. You get discovered through YouTube search and can cut clips for Shorts.
- Connect your RSS feed, if the feature is available in your country, so your audio episodes get published automatically.
If you publish on video, create a playlist for the podcast and keep a consistent thumbnail style. A recognizable set helps a lot here: what a 3D virtual podcast studio is.
Pre-launch checklist
- The cover art reads well as a thumbnail.
- The first episode hooks listeners in the first minute.
- The show description says what it is and who it’s for.
- You have at least three episodes ready or published.
- You’ve tested the feed in two different apps.
- You have the links for each platform ready to share.
Write good episode descriptions
Every platform shows the episode description. Use the first few lines to say what it’s about, who it’s for, and who’s on it. Add timestamps if the episode is long, plus the links you mentioned.
After publishing
- Share a universal link or a page that lists every platform.
- Check that each new episode shows up correctly everywhere.
- Look at your stats every few weeks, not every hour. We explain how in how to measure your podcast stats.
If you want to record with guests on a set that looks good on YouTube without cameras or lights, you can do it in a 3D studio from the browser. In remocast, the host records the studio with everyone’s voices and downloads the video; you handle editing and publishing with your usual tools. Create your studio for free.
Keep a document with your podcast’s links on each platform, the email you used for verification, and your feed address. It’ll save you a lot of time when you need to update something or switch services.
Once everything is published, listen to yourself on each platform from your phone, the way a listener would. That way you can confirm the cover art looks good, the title doesn’t get cut off, and the audio sounds the same everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to publish a podcast on Spotify?
Submitting your feed to Spotify costs nothing. What may cost money is hosting, though there are free options with limits.
Do I have to upload each episode to every platform?
No. With an RSS feed, you upload each episode once to your host and the platforms pick it up from there. YouTube is the exception if you publish on video.
How long does it take for my podcast to show up?
It depends on the platform. Some show it within hours; others, like Apple, may take longer because they review shows manually.