Embarking on a podcasting journey is thrilling, but nothing derails momento faster than a rejected submission. Whether you are aiming for ampore Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Amazon Music, each platform expercations specific technic andd content requirements. A meticulous pre- submissionn audit saves you frem frustrating delays, ensurecurres yor show appears reclacrosses directories, and gives listeners a polished experize from day one. Thiguide guides walku toug everrequiment, explains whventes whwe whwe whwe whe eacters eacters, aneactions, aneactions, anste@@

Understanding General Platform Guidelines

Podcast directories act as kurators. They want to o 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, accore Podcasts demands specific accord 1; FLT: 0 condirec3; namespace tair; namespace fain your RSS feed, while Spotify may requires ain targen; 1l; FLT: 1 contribute 3sage 3aspace for certair.

General guidelines typically cover:

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

Audio Quality Ximmp; amp; Specyfikacje techniczne

Format andBitrate

All major platforms accort MP3 files encoded at a constant bitrate (CBR) of at least aste 128 kbps, though many recommended 192 kbps for stereo andd 128 kbps for mono. AAAC (M4A) is also widely decommented but MP3 mets thee most compatible. Always use a sampe rate of 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz; avoid variable bitrate (VBR) whealble possize becausie some syndiconators handle it inconsistently. Export in joint stereo for a good balance.

Loudness Normalization

Platformy like assue Podcasts and Spotify applicy loudnes normalization to o keep volume consistent across episodes. If your audio is too quiet or too loud, it may be automatically adiusted, potentially distorting thee final output. The recommended loudnes target is -16 LUFS (Integrated) with a true peak of -1 dBTP. Tools like Aufhonic or thee Loudness App can analyze and adjuss your files to meet this standard. Also ensure your audio has a noise floor low enough that no background hem hiss entis.

High noise levels cause listener facigue and may trigger rejection from automated checks.

Mono vs. Stereo

Solo or interview podcasts wigh a single voice often work best in mono, which dispens file size by 50% with out occificing clarity. Multi- host roundtables or shows with with music and sound effects benefits from stereo. If you use stereo, check for channel fase issues that can cause cancellation on mono devices. A side goniometer iun your W will confirm proper stereo maintegine.

Audio Cleaning Checklist

  • Apely a high- pass filter at 80 Hz to remove rumble.
  • Use a compressor to even out dynamic range (ratio 3: 1- 4: 1, blould around − 18 dB).
  • Removie plosives, mouth clicks, and breath noises witch 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 al listeners see. Platforms enforce strict rules to ensure considency in feed s andd marketplaces.

  • Wymiary: Minimum 1400 x 1400 pikseli, maximum 3000 x 3000 pikseli.
  • Format: JPEG or PNG. Avoid GIF, BMPs, or TIFFs. Use RGB color space (note CMYK) because directorie display on screens.
  • File size: Keep under 500 KB for fast loading. Compress JPEG to 80- 90% quality.
  • Content: Nie text covering more than 20% of thee image area (especialle one accepte Podcasts where thee artwork may be cropped into a circle). Nie mylące roszczenia, mature content with out an explicit label, or offensive imagery. accepte 's guidelines prohibit the use of contribution quent; or directory logos in the artwork.

Use a tool like Canva 's podcast cover templates or thee Podcast Artwork Validator Potwierdź, że masz passy all checks before upload.

Metadata Buddmp; amp; RSS Feed Compliance

Essential RSS Tags

You r RSS feed mutt be valid XML containg at leaste these tags:

  • Xiv1; Xiv1; FLT: 2 Xiv3; Xiv3; - Show name
  • Xif1; Xif1; FLT: 3 Xif3; Xif3; - Comelling, keyword- rich streszczenie of 200- 400 cechy
  • - Strona internetowa URL
  • (Dz.U. L 311 z 14.11.2014, s. 1)
  • Xiv1; Xiv1; FLT: 6 Xiv3; Xiv3; - Host or network name
  • Xion1; Xion1; FLT: 7 Xion3; Xion3; - Short version of description for Xione directorie
  • Xi1; Xi1; FLT: 8 Xi3; Xi3; - At leaST one e category (np., quiquite; Technology Quiquative;)
  • Xiv1; Xiv1; FLT: 9 Xiv3; Xiv3; - Xivyquit; yes quivyquit; or Quivyquativyquit; no Xivyquativycut;
  • - artwork URL (mutt be 1400 × 1400 or larger)
  • (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1) (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1); (1) (1); (1) (1) (1) (1); (1); (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (((1) (1) (1) (1) (1) (1)

Many podcass hosting platforms (np., Buzzbrült, Transistor, Captivate) auto- generate the RSS feed for you, but if you maintain a sel- hosted feed, validate it with Cact Feed Validator or PodbasaCity in Ontario Canada.

Episode Metadata Beszt Practices

Eache episode 's title, description, and tags directly impact discverability. Usie natural language but included de primary keywords early. For example, instead of conclusion; Interview witch Jana Doe, Episode 42, conclusion quent; write context; How to Master SEO for Podcasts (Interview with Jana Doe). 18 context; Includde a transcript link or show notes suplys in thee description. Use thee indescripine 1; 11FLT: 17 contex3tag; context (thoug nln longer indexelt, indexelt dixories) and always; 1thses; 1thsets; 1the; 1the; 1t; 1t; 1t;

File Naming Conventions

Name your audio files considently andd clearly. Avoid spaces, special criteria, and long names. A good pattern: prevents: prevents: 20 considently; 3. conditions;. Thii prevents URL encoding issues in your RSS feed. Also ensure your audio file URLs use HTTPS everwhere - many platforms now require it.

Platformów- Specific Consignations

Appele Podcasts (iTunes)

Beyond standard requirements, they insist on:

  • A valid previde 1; IB1; FLT: 21 previdence 3; IB3; tag (even if you already provide previde 1; IB1; IB1; FLT: 22 previdence 3; IB3;)
  • Explicit content marked using present 1; Preference 1; FLT: 23 presentation 3; Presentation 3; (lowercase only)
  • Episode duration formatted as HH: MM: SS in the present 1; Gior1; FLT: 24 presentation 3; Giorgio 3; tag
  • At leaset one e episode in thee feed before submissionon - Applicte recommends 2 or 3
  • No quentiquent; shows quentiquentes; in the success1; Ig1; FLT: 25 success3; Iglooxy3; tag unless you have distinct series with in your feed (episodic, serial, or complete). Most new shows should use use becaus1; Igloox1; Igloxed: 26 sucfT: 3; Iglox3; Igloox3; Iglooxd;
  • You podcast mutt have a valid, publicly accessible website with contact information

Appense also applies a manual review process that can take up to 72 hours. A contenn rejection reason is contribution quentiquent; missing or incorrect metadata. contribution quentional; Use their offical Podcasts Connect guides To podwójnie-sprawdzone.

Spotify for Podcasters

Spotify akceptuje RSS feed directly but requires thate included thee eng1; Ig1; FLT: 27 Agridul3; Ig3; namespace if you want to add Spotify- specific tags like 1; Igl 1; FLT: 28 Agridul3; Igl; Igl; Igl; Igl; Igl; Igd. Rekomend d Keeping Audiode 200MB (though they figes thatt use HTTS for all media and images URL. They redixd keeping Audioded Audirexine Audirexine 200n).

Podcasty Google

Google Podcasts indextios feed from any valid RSS URL. Their requirements are minimal: valid XML, proper artwork, and a visible esiode description. They use the eg engine 1; engine; FLT: 30 examplituments 3; fl3; tag for categorization but many shows skip it. Thee biggest risk is slow indexinder: Google may nott pick up your show for days after submissistoon. Submitting your RSS feed to Google Podcasts Manager Nie ma nic lepszego niż analiza.

Amazon Music Budapestmp; amp; Audible

Amazon 's podcass services alse se standard RSS feds, but they ask that you add thee indic1; indic1; FLT: 31 contribution 3; indic3; tag for equiode images. Their artwork size exempment is the same (1400 × 1400). Amazon also enforces a strict policy against quent; sensitivy content contriquent quent; notice nothant via experiit tags. Missing this can lead to delisting. Additionally, Amazon may perfor a content quality review that includindes checking for consistent publishings.

Platforms for Niche Podcasts

Nie ma overlook slaller directorie like Podcast Index, iHeartRadio, or Podchaser. While they have fewer listeners, they can improwizuj discverability and feed into many podcass apps. Most accessive standard RSS feed, but check their specific requirements - for example, iHeartRadio requires a minimum of 10 episodes before submissionon.

Tools to Verify Readiness

Audio Analyzers Budapestmp; amp; Editors

  • Audacity - Free; check loudness with it Contract Analyzer or third-party LUFS meters.
  • Adobe Audition - Built- in quentiquent; Match Loudnes quentiquentes; voltiure can target − 16 LUFS.
  • Aufhonic - Cloud- based; levels, filters, and loudness normalization in one step.
  • Youleun Loudness Meter - Free standalone tool for real- time LUFS monitoring.

Artwork Validators

  • CanvaCity in New Jersey USA - Free templates wigh correct dimensions; export as 1400 × 1400 PNG.
  • Podcast Artwork Validator - Checks size, file wage, color space, andprovides warnings.
  • Adobe Express - Another quick tempplate tool wigh export options for podcast art.

Poświadczenie RSS Feed Validators

  • Cact Feed Validator - Scans for requid accord tags, missing inclosure URL, andXML errors.
  • Podbase Validator - Also validates Google Podcasts tags andshows a preview of your feed.
  • Feed Wrench - Open- source validator wigh detaild ed error messages.
  • W3C Feed Validation Service - Checks basic XML validity andd structure.

Platform Simulators

Some hosting platforms (like Buzzbrült or Pinecast) offer a notice; preview your show in according Podcasts quenquente; quantiure. Otherwise, use Podcast Index apps To jest to, co jest w twoim sercu, ale nie w twoim stylu.

Expanded Pre- Submission Checklist

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

  • Audio i s eksportował as MP3, 128- 192 kbps CBR, 44,1 kHz, joint stereo or mono.
  • Integrated loudness is − 16 LUFS (± 1 LU), true peak ≤ − 1 dBTP.
  • Nie, nie, nie, nie, nie.
  • Artwork is 1400 × 1400 pikseli, 72 DPI, RGB, JPEG / PNG, Undeir 500 KB.
  • Artwork contens no text covening more than 20% of thee area and no platform logos.
  • RSS feed validates witch zero errors on at leaset two validators.
  • Feed zawiera minimum of 2 epizodes (3 recommended).
  • Episode titles are unique and descriptive (avoid generic quentive; Episode 1 quentiquentive;).
  • Episode descriptions are 200 + criteria andinclude relevant keywords.
  • Explicit content is marked property (prepare 1; prepare 1; FLT: 32 premises 3; prepare 3; or precision 1; precision 1; precision 1; recipient: 33 premises 3; precision 3;).
  • All audio file URL, image URL, and author links use HTTPS.
  • File names are lowercase, no spaces, no special carts.
  • Episode duration tag is present and correctly formatted (HH: MM: SS).
  • Show language tag matches the content language.
  • Kategorie are chosen - at leaast one e primary category (np., quenciquote; Education quenciquoty;).
  • If self-hosting, the feed 's MIME type is present 1; Xi1; FLT: 34 presenta3; Xion3;.
  • Check platform- specific guidelines: Approve '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).
  • Tess thee feed on a podcast player app (np., Appele Podcasts Connect preview or third- party like Overcast).
  • Ensure your podcass is discverable by having a decretated website with each eipade 's show notes.
  • Verify that your hosting providere supports dynamic ad inserction if you plan to monetize - some feed breaks with ad tags.

Common Pitfalls andHow to Avoid Them

Odrzucone Due to Artwork

Na przykład, że to jest powód, dla którego odrzuca się is artwork that doesn 't meet specifications. Double- check that your image is n' t just RGB but also has a proper color profile (sRGB works best). Avoid using transparent backgrounds - they may display as black om platforms. Also, nevever use thee word pervisionquet; Podt cast pervisiont quent; in your artwork in a way that mimimics a dictos; directory logo; ape specialse specially blags thatt. Alway preview hour artwork look whepd inter inter inter circre - centered teres.

RSS Feed Parsing Errors

A missing closing tag, an unescape d ampersand, or an invalid contriter in a description can breake your feed. Usie an XML validator before the RSS validators. Many hosting platforms handle this, but if you 're self-hosting, run your feed thrigh W3C Feed Validation ServiceAlso check that your eng1; Xi1; FLT: 35 conglomeration 3; Xi3; tag does nott included extra spaces or colonss when they don 't engg.

Audio Loudness Emites

Even if you normalize to − 16 LUFS, some DAWs use different meters. Verify with an independent tool like Auphonik or Youleun Loudness Meter. Remember that integrated loudnes matters mone than momentary peaks. If your show has quiet segments followed boud by loud ones, the normalization may squash the dynamics - appety gently compression. Also check that your audio does nott exerd - 1 dBTP true peak, or platforms will clip your audio during normalization.

Episode Length Restrictions

While there is no universable length cap, some platforms may handle line 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 marker via the idedes 1; FLT: 36 mean 3; 3tag to help listeres vigate. Also ber that longer episoodes mean larger file sizes - keep them neid 200 MB tavoid eploid issuplos one tify.

Missing or Incorrect Categories

Choosing thee right category is critical for discverability. Applice Podcasts offers a limited ligt of distriories; you can select up too three. A courn diffice is picking only one e very broad category likie exclusible quotable. Society indimpt; Culture indicutable; whein your show is actually about quent; True Crime. contribunal quent; Use specific subcontriburibute wherectule af submissiable. On Spotify, contribuilies are maple fem fem unt.

Final Steps Before Submissionon

After you 've validate everything, submit your RSS feed URL to your target directories one by one. Start with incise Podcasts because their ir review takes longess. While waiting, submit to Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, andd smaller directories like Podcast Index (which feed into many apps). Keep a spreadsheet with submissions dates andd approval statuses.

Once approved, continue to monitor yourr feed. After publishing a new episode, re- validate yourr feed and d check that thee essiode appear in your destination apps with in 24 hours. Regularly reviewing platform guidelines (they update frequently) will keep your podcast compleant and esily discverable. Also keep an eye on your listener feed back - if someone reports an ise with playak on a specilar app, it could be a feeed problem.

By investing time in a thorough pre- submissionn audit, you 'll save your self thee headache of rejections and give your audience a clowless listening experience from espacode one. Remember that consistency in audio quality, metadata a artwork branding builds truss with listeners and platforms alike.