Embarking on a podcasting journey is thrilling, but nothing derails momentum faster than a rejected submission. Whether you are aiming for Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Amazon Music, each platform enforces specific technical and content requirements. A meticulous pre-submission audit saves you from frustrating delays, ensures your show appears correctly across directories, and gives listeners a polished experience from day one. This guide walks you through every requirement, explains why each matters, and provides actionable steps to validate your podcast before you click submit.

Understanding General Platform Guidelines

Podcast directories act as curators. They want to maintain a high-quality catalog, so they enforce standards for audio, visuals, metadata, and feed structure. While the core requirements are similar, each platform adds its own nuances. For instance, Apple Podcasts demands specific itunes: namespace tags in your RSS feed, while Spotify may require an xmlns:spotify namespace for certain features. Familiarizing yourself with the documentation from each target platform early on prevents last-minute scrambling.

General guidelines typically cover:

  • Audio file format and encoding
  • Artwork dimensions, format, and content policies
  • Metadata completeness and accuracy
  • RSS feed validity and proper tag usage
  • Episode length and file naming conventions
  • Content restrictions (explicit language, copyright)

Audio Quality & Technical Specifications

Format and Bitrate

All major platforms accept MP3 files encoded at a constant bitrate (CBR) of at least 128 kbps, though many recommend 192 kbps for stereo and 128 kbps for mono. AAC (M4A) is also widely accepted but MP3 remains the most compatible. Always use a sample rate of 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz; avoid variable bitrate (VBR) when possible because some syndicators handle it inconsistently. Export in joint stereo for a good balance of quality and file size.

Loudness Normalization

Platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify apply loudness normalization to keep volume consistent across episodes. If your audio is too quiet or too loud, it may be automatically adjusted, potentially distorting the final output. The recommended loudness target is -16 LUFS (Integrated) with a true peak of -1 dBTP. Tools like Auphonic or the Loudness App can analyze and adjust your files to meet this standard. Also ensure your audio has a noise floor low enough that no background hum or hiss remains. High noise levels cause listener fatigue and may trigger rejection from automated checks.

Mono vs. Stereo

Solo or interview podcasts with a single voice often work best in mono, which reduces file size by 50% without sacrificing clarity. Multi-host roundtables or shows with music and sound effects benefit from stereo. If you use stereo, check for channel phase issues that can cause cancellation on mono devices. A simple goniometer in your DAW will confirm proper stereo imaging.

Audio Cleaning Checklist

  • Apply a high-pass filter at 80 Hz to remove rumble.
  • Use a compressor to even out dynamic range (ratio 3:1–4:1, threshold around −18 dB).
  • Remove plosives, mouth clicks, and breath noises with a spectral editor or RX plug-ins.
  • Limit true peak to −1 dBTP to prevent clipping after conversion.
  • Consider using a de-esser to tame sibilance in vocal tracks.

Podcast Artwork Requirements

Your cover art is the first thing potential listeners see. Platforms enforce strict rules to ensure consistency in feeds and marketplaces.

  • Dimensions: Minimum 1400 x 1400 pixels, maximum 3000 x 3000 pixels. Square only. Many platforms upscale smaller images, leading to blurry results.
  • Format: JPEG or PNG. Avoid GIFs, BMPs, or TIFFs. Use RGB color space (not CMYK) because directories display on screens.
  • File size: Keep under 500 KB for fast loading. Compress JPEG to 80–90% quality.
  • Content: No text covering more than 20% of the image area (especially on Apple Podcasts where the artwork may be cropped into a circle). No misleading claims, mature content without an explicit label, or offensive imagery. Apple’s guidelines prohibit the use of “Podcast” or directory logos in the artwork.

Use a tool like Canva’s podcast cover templates or the Podcast Artwork Validator to confirm your image passes all checks before upload.

Metadata & RSS Feed Compliance

Essential RSS Tags

Your RSS feed must be valid XML containing at least these tags:

  • <title> – Show name
  • <description> – A compelling, keyword-rich summary of 200–400 characters
  • <link> – Website URL
  • <language> – Language code (e.g., en-us)
  • <itunes:author> – Host or network name
  • <itunes:summary> – Short version of description for Apple directories
  • <itunes:category> – At least one category (e.g., “Technology”)
  • <itunes:explicit> – “yes” or “no”
  • <image> – artwork URL (must be 1400×1400 or larger)
  • <item> – Each episode includes <title>, <enclosure> (audio file URL), <guid>, <pubDate>, and <itunes:duration>

Many podcast hosting platforms (e.g., Buzzsprout, Transistor, Captivate) auto-generate the RSS feed for you, but if you maintain a self-hosted feed, validate it with Cast Feed Validator or Podbase.

Episode Metadata Best Practices

Each episode’s title, description, and tags directly impact discoverability. Use natural language but include primary keywords early. For example, instead of “Interview with Jane Doe, Episode 42,” write “How to Master SEO for Podcasts (Interview with Jane Doe).” Include a transcript link or show notes summary in the description. Use the <itunes:keywords> tag (though Apple no longer indexes it, other directories do) and always set the <podcast:medium> tag to podcast for modern aggregators.

File Naming Conventions

Name your audio files consistently and clearly. Avoid spaces, special characters, and long names. A good pattern: showname-episode42-titlenospace.mp3. This prevents URL encoding issues in your RSS feed. Also ensure your audio file URLs use HTTPS everywhere — many platforms now require it.

Platform-Specific Considerations

Apple Podcasts (iTunes)

Apple remains the largest podcast directory. Beyond standard requirements, they insist on:

  • A valid <itunes:image> tag (even if you already provide <image>)
  • Explicit content marked using <itunes:explicit>yes</itunes:explicit> (lowercase only)
  • Episode duration formatted as HH:MM:SS in the <itunes:duration> tag
  • At least one episode in the feed before submission – Apple recommends 2 or 3
  • No “shows” in the <itunes:type> tag unless you have distinct series within your feed (episodic, serial, or complete). Most new shows should use episodic
  • Your podcast must have a valid, publicly accessible website with contact information

Apple also applies a manual review process that can take up to 72 hours. A common rejection reason is “missing or incorrect metadata.” Use their official Podcasts Connect guide to double-check.

Spotify for Podcasters

Spotify accepts RSS feeds directly but requires that they include the xmlns:spotify namespace if you want to add Spotify-specific tags like <spotify:country> or <spotify:exclusive>. However, for most podcasters, a standard feed works. Spotify also prioritizes RSS feeds that use HTTPS for all media and image URLs. They recommend keeping episode audio under 200 MB (though they accept larger files). Spotify’s review is typically faster than Apple’s, but explicit content must still be tagged.

Google Podcasts

Google Podcasts indexes feeds from any valid RSS URL. Their requirements are minimal: valid XML, proper artwork, and a visible episode description. They use the <googleplay:category> tag for categorization but many shows skip it. The biggest risk is slow indexing: Google may not pick up your show for days after submission. Submitting your RSS feed to Google Podcasts Manager can expedite the process and gives you analytics.

Amazon Music & Audible

Amazon’s podcast service also ingests standard RSS feeds, but they ask that you add the <media:content> tag for episode images. Their artwork size requirement is the same (1400×1400). Amazon also enforces a strict policy against “sensitive content” not declared via explicit tags. Missing this can lead to delisting. Additionally, Amazon may perform a content quality review that includes checking for consistent publishing patterns.

Platforms for Niche Podcasts

Don’t overlook smaller directories like Podcast Index, iHeartRadio, or Podchaser. While they have fewer listeners, they can improve discoverability and feed into many podcast apps. Most accept standard RSS feeds, but check their specific requirements — for example, iHeartRadio requires a minimum of 10 episodes before submission.

Tools to Verify Readiness

Audio Analyzers & Editors

  • Audacity – Free; check loudness with its Contrast Analyzer or third-party LUFS meters.
  • Adobe Audition – Built-in “Match Loudness” feature can target −16 LUFS.
  • Auphonic – Cloud-based; levels, filters, and loudness normalization in one step.
  • Youlean Loudness Meter – Free standalone tool for real-time LUFS monitoring.

Artwork Validators

  • Canva – Free templates with correct dimensions; export as 1400×1400 PNG.
  • Podcast Artwork Validator – Checks size, file weight, color space, and provides warnings.
  • Adobe Express – Another quick template tool with export options for podcast art.

RSS Feed Validators

  • Cast Feed Validator – Scans for required Apple tags, missing enclosure URLs, and XML errors.
  • Podbase Validator – Also validates Google Podcasts tags and shows a preview of your feed.
  • Feed Wrench – Open-source validator with detailed error messages.
  • W3C Feed Validation Service – Checks basic XML validity and structure.

Platform Simulators

Some hosting platforms (like Buzzsprout or Pinecast) offer a “preview your show in Apple Podcasts” feature. Otherwise, use Podcast Index apps to see how your feed appears in a generic aggregator. Apple Podcasts Connect also provides a preview tool before you submit.

Expanded Pre-Submission Checklist

Before you upload your feed for the first time, run through this checklist. Tick every box.

  • Audio is exported as MP3, 128–192 kbps CBR, 44.1 kHz, joint stereo or mono.
  • Integrated loudness is −16 LUFS (±1 LU), true peak ≤ −1 dBTP.
  • No background noise, plosives, or clipping audible.
  • Artwork is 1400×1400 pixels, 72 DPI, RGB, JPEG/PNG, under 500 KB.
  • Artwork contains no text covering more than 20% of the area and no platform logos.
  • RSS feed validates with zero errors on at least two validators.
  • Feed contains a minimum of 2 episodes (3 recommended).
  • Episode titles are unique and descriptive (avoid generic “Episode 1”).
  • Episode descriptions are 200+ characters and include relevant keywords.
  • Explicit content is marked properly (yes or no).
  • All audio file URLs, image URLs, and author links use HTTPS.
  • File names are lowercase, no spaces, no special characters.
  • Episode duration tag is present and correctly formatted (HH:MM:SS).
  • Show language tag matches the content language.
  • Categories are chosen – at least one primary category (e.g., “Education”).
  • If self-hosting, the feed’s MIME type is application/rss+xml.
  • Check platform-specific guidelines: Apple’s new requirements, Spotify’s HTTPS preference, Google’s indexing delay.
  • Have a valid website URL and email in the feed (for director support contact).
  • Test the feed on a podcast player app (e.g., Apple Podcasts Connect preview or third-party like Overcast).
  • Ensure your podcast is discoverable by having a dedicated website with each episode’s show notes.
  • Verify that your hosting provider supports dynamic ad insertion if you plan to monetize — some feeds break with ad tags.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Rejected Due to Artwork

One of the top reasons for rejection is artwork that doesn’t meet specifications. Double-check that your image isn’t just RGB but also has a proper color profile (sRGB works best). Avoid using transparent backgrounds – they may display as black on some platforms. Also, never use the word “Podcast” in your artwork in a way that mimics a directory logo; Apple specifically flags that. Always preview how your artwork looks when cropped into a circle — centered text is safer.

RSS Feed Parsing Errors

A missing closing tag, an unescaped ampersand, or an invalid character in a description can break your feed. Use an XML validator before the RSS validators. Many hosting platforms handle this, but if you’re self-hosting, run your feed through W3C Feed Validation Service. Also check that your <itunes:duration> tag does not include extra spaces or colons where they don't belong.

Audio Loudness Issues

Even if you normalize to −16 LUFS, some DAWs use different meters. Verify with an independent tool like Auphonic or Youlean Loudness Meter. Remember that integrated loudness matters more than momentary peaks. If your show has quiet segments followed by loud ones, the normalization may squash the dynamics – apply gentle compression. Also check that your audio does not exceed −1 dBTP true peak, or platforms will clip your audio during normalization.

Episode Length Restrictions

While there is no universal length cap, some platforms may handle very long episodes (over 3 hours) poorly, especially for streaming on mobile. If your episode exceeds 2 hours, consider splitting it into two parts or at least adding chapter markers via the <psc:chapters> tag to help listeners navigate. Also remember that longer episodes mean larger file sizes — keep them under 200 MB to avoid upload issues on Spotify.

Missing or Incorrect Categories

Choosing the right category is critical for discoverability. Apple Podcasts offers a limited list of categories; you can select up to three. A common mistake is picking only one very broad category like “Society & Culture” when your show is actually about “True Crime.” Use specific subcategories when available. On Spotify, categories are mapped from your RSS feed, so confirm they appear correctly after submission.

Final Steps Before Submission

After you’ve validated everything, submit your RSS feed URL to your target directories one by one. Start with Apple Podcasts because their review takes longest. While waiting, submit to Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and smaller directories like Podcast Index (which feeds into many apps). Keep a spreadsheet with submission dates and approval statuses.

Once approved, continue to monitor your feed. After publishing a new episode, re-validate your feed and check that the episode appears in your destination apps within 24 hours. Regularly reviewing platform guidelines (they update frequently) will keep your podcast compliant and easily discoverable. Also keep an eye on your listener feedback — if someone reports an issue with playback on a particular app, it could be a feed problem.

By investing time in a thorough pre-submission audit, you’ll save yourself the headache of rejections and give your audience a seamless listening experience from episode one. Remember that consistency in audio quality, metadata accuracy, and artwork branding builds trust with listeners and platforms alike.