Editorial curation on Apple Podcasts

Human curation remains at the core of Apple Podcasts discovery. One way we do that is through hand-selected editorial curation. Around the world, we have editors who recommend shows, episodes, and channels that will resonate with audiences across a wide array of interests.

Personalization helps surface the most relevant of those editorial selections to each person, and makes them available globally, so a show selected by an editor in one region can reach receptive audiences well beyond it.

See below for answers to the most frequently asked questions about our editorial and featuring processes.

FAQs

How do I pitch my show to Apple Podcasts?

Review the best ways to optimize your pitch and then submit to us via the feature request form. We recently updated this process into a single global submission form, so you now submit one pitch for consideration across all regions, rather than submitting region by region.

Where can my show be featured?

We have curation on Home, New, and within select category pages on the Search tab. Everything featured in those places is handpicked by our editors. Personalization then determines which of those editorial selections each person sees and in what order, so two people may see different shows in the same place.

How does personalization work with editorial featuring?

Our editors decide what gets featured. Personalization decides which of those editorial selections an individual sees, based on listening and viewing history and interests. In effect, a pitch selected by an editor is matched to individuals around the world who are most likely to enjoy it, rather than everyone in one region.

Does editorial still feature shows from my region?

Yes. Our editorial team is located around the world to help surface the best local stories and voices from across a wide range of countries and languages. Personalization allows us to feature an even greater variety of shows from a broader range of categories and languages, helping match the right show to the right audience. Local editorial selections remain the primary recommendations in a given market in a number of places, for example for users new to Apple Podcasts.

Where can people find what is popular in my market?

Our Top Charts, including Top Shows and Trending Episodes, are market-specific, providing an additional surface to discover what is popular locally.

How early should I pitch my show?

Submit a pitch at least two weeks in advance of your desired feature date.

How often should I pitch Apple Podcasts?

We recommend you submit a new pitch request no more than once every six to eight weeks.

Do I have to include featuring art?

Featuring art is not a requirement, but submitting it along with your pitch helps our editorial team better understand and consider your request. If you are not able to submit artwork, please don’t let that stop you from submitting your show for featuring.

What are the specifications for featured artwork?

Before you submit promotional artwork, review our specifications and guidelines. For Showcase Hero art, double-check that the file you’re submitting follows our template for featuring art and is delivered as a layered PSD file.

Should I use episode art in my show feed? Should I submit episode featuring art?

We recommend you include episode art for an improved listener experience, as it complements the metadata and audio of your episode. Before you submit artwork, review the specifications. In order to be considered for Showcase Hero featuring, feature request pitches for episodes should be submitted with episode-specific art that follow the Showcase Hero art specifications.

What happens after I submit my pitch to Apple Podcasts?

After you submit your pitch request, it goes directly to our editorial team. Editors consider shows for a variety of placements as they review your pitch and all accompanying show audio, the show feed, and any submitted art. If your show is chosen for featuring, editors will decide the best location on Apple Podcasts to help people discover the show. If there is anything additional that editors need for featuring beyond what was included in your pitch request, you may be contacted by Apple Podcasts.

Will I get notified if editorial decides to feature me?

You will not be notified if your show is featured. Because placements of editorial selections are personalized, your show may be featured and shown to other people without appearing in your own New tab or category pages.

Can I be featured in another country?

Yes, once you submit a pitch request, you’ll be considered for featuring in all countries around the world. Editorial selections are now available through personalization globally, which means shows in smaller categories, from smaller regions, or in non-local languages can be considered for wider audiences than before. You will also be asked for your show’s primary language, which helps inform our featuring.

I pitched Apple Podcasts and never got featured. Why?

We receive many pitches and not every show will be featured. Review our tips for optimizing your pitch, make sure you are following our guidelines, and pitch again during another moment that may be intriguing to potential new audience for your show.

What are some things that I should be mindful about with my show feed?

We review a podcast’s feed as part of our editorial consideration process. In particular, decide if your show type should be set to Episodic or Serial, which will affect which episode appears at the top of your show page. Ensure that you follow the latest guidance on how to set the order of podcast episodes. This will ensure that your podcast feed is optimized for the ideal audience experience.

I have a new show. How can I promote it on Apple?

For new shows, submit a pitch at least two weeks in advance of when you plan on releasing your first full episodes. This pitch should include details about your show, your launch plan, and featuring art. In order to submit a pitch for a new show, you will need at least a trailer live in the new show’s feed. In the pitch for a new show, please also include advance audio of full episodes.

My show isn’t live yet so I can’t pitch two weeks ahead. What should I do?

Consider releasing your trailer two weeks in advance of releasing your first full episodes. The trailer and the feed link is necessary for submitting a pitch request, and we review your feed as part of consideration so it is important for your show to be live on Apple Podcasts. You can also always pitch after your show has already launched. More content in your feed means more content that’s immediately available to the audience.