Podcast SEO is everything you do so your show and your episodes show up when someone searches for a topic on Google, on YouTube, or inside podcast apps. Above all, it’s about using the words your listener would type into the search bar: in the name, in the episode titles, and in the descriptions. There are no secret tricks: it’s clarity and consistency.
Let’s go through every place people might search for you and what to do in each one.
How people search for a podcast
Almost nobody searches for “new interview podcast.” People search for topics and problems:
- “how to save money on minimum wage”
- “history of british punk rock”
- “what to study if i like biology”
If your episode answers one of those searches and says so using those words, it has a chance of showing up. If it’s called “Episode 23: chat with John,” it doesn’t.
Step 1: find your keywords
A keyword is the phrase someone types into the search bar. To find them without paid tools:
- Use autocomplete. Type the beginning of your topic into Google and YouTube and see what they suggest. Those suggestions come from real searches.
- Look at “People also ask” on Google. These are questions people ask around your topic.
- Ask your audience how they found you or what they were looking for.
- Pay attention to local vocabulary. Americans say “apartment” and “résumé,” Brits say “flat” and “CV.” If your audience is from a specific country, talk the way they do.
Pick one main keyword per episode. Don’t try to rank for ten things at once.
Step 2: your podcast’s name
The name is your brand, but it can also help you show up. There are two paths:
| Option | Example | Advantage | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative name | “The Long Table” | Memorable, your own | Doesn’t say what it’s about |
| Descriptive name | “Finance for Freelancers” | Shows up in searches | Can sound generic |
| A mix | “The Long Table: finance for freelancers” | The best of both | Longer |
A mix is usually the most practical option: a name of your own with a descriptive tagline. If you’re at that stage, check out how to choose a name for your podcast.
Step 3: episode titles people search for
This is your biggest opportunity. Compare:
- Bad: “Ep. 14 – With Laura Gomez”
- Better: “How to Price Your First Freelance Job, with Laura Gomez”
Practical rules:
- Keyword at the start.
- Episode number at the end, or out of the title if the platform has its own field for it.
- The guest’s name only if they’re well known or it adds something.
- Under about 60 characters when you can, so it doesn’t get cut off in results.
- Promise something specific, without exaggerating.
Step 4: the episode description
The description is text that search engines read. Make the most of it:
- The first two sentences are what shows in apps. They should say what it’s about and who it’s for, with the keyword.
- Then, a summary of the topics as a list.
- Timestamps if the episode is long.
- Links to what’s mentioned and to the guest’s socials.
All of this overlaps with your show notes, which have their own guide: how to write show notes.
Step 5: transcripts
Search engines don’t listen to audio, they read text. A transcript of the episode, published on your website or in the YouTube description (if it fits), gives Google hundreds of words related to your topic.
You don’t have to publish the whole thing if it’s very long. An edited version with the main points, written as an article, usually works better than a text full of “um”s and repetition.
You can get one with automatic transcription tools and then review it by hand. Always correct proper names, brands, and slang.
Step 6: a website of your own
Podcast apps are great for listening, but not for ranking on Google. Having a simple website with one page per episode gives you:
- A place where Google can index your titles, descriptions, and transcripts.
- A link of your own to share.
- Control over your content, independent of the platforms.
You don’t need anything complex. One page per episode with a title, player, summary, and links is already a lot.
Step 7: YouTube counts as a search engine
YouTube works as a search engine in its own right, and Google shows its videos in results. If you publish your podcast on video, the same applies:
- Title with the keyword.
- A full description, with timestamps (YouTube turns them into chapters).
- A clear thumbnail, with little text and high contrast.
- Short clips that lead to the full episode. See how to make them in vertical clips from your podcast.
A podcast with a recognizable set helps keep your thumbnails consistent. If you record your conversations in a 3D studio like remocast, your set and avatars become part of the brand image in every thumbnail.
Step 8: links and mentions
Google values other sites linking to your content. Natural ways to earn that:
- Having your guests share the episode on their socials and websites.
- Appearing as a guest on other podcasts and asking for a link in their show notes.
- Writing articles for media outlets or blogs in your niche.
What doesn’t work
- Repeating your keyword ten times in the description. It reads badly and doesn’t help.
- Misleading titles. They might get a click, but people leave quickly and that hurts you.
- Changing your podcast’s name every few months.
- Expecting results in a week. Rankings are built over months of consistency.
Already have the topic for your next episode? Create your studio for free and record the conversation on a set of your own.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google index podcast audio?
Google shows podcasts in some results, but what helps most is text: titles, descriptions, transcripts, and web pages. That’s why it’s worth pairing your audio with good text.
How long does podcast SEO take to show results?
There’s no fixed timeline. It usually takes several months of consistent publishing and well-thought-out titles. Results build up over time, episode by episode.
Should I put the episode number in the title?
You can, but at the end or in the dedicated field many platforms have. At the start of the title, it takes up the space that should go to your keyword.