Series on Apple Podcasts
Series play a vital role in the podcast industry. Serialized shows are often the gateways for first-time listeners and are frequently the most recommended shows, remembered and shared long after their initial release. From documentaries to dramas, personal journals to investigative journalism, series span genres and Apple Podcasts ensures listeners can easily find their next must-listen show.
Top Series chart
Apple Podcasts is transforming the discovery of series with the creation of a new Top Series chart. The Top Series chart helps listeners find their next marathon-worthy listen by presenting the most popular and trending serialized shows on Apple Podcasts. The Top Series chart is available with iOS 18 in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden, and United Kingdom. Listeners can find all the Apple Podcasts Charts on the Browse tab or by navigating to the Charts page. The Top Series chart features the top 100 results, refreshed throughout the day.
Best practices for serialized shows
A series is a single narrative arc presented across multiple episodes which are intended to be listened to in sequential order.
When you set your show type to serial, Apple Podcasts presents episodes in sequential order with the first episode at the top of the show page and the final episode at the bottom. Episode numbers are displayed instead of the publishing date. You can further organize your show into seasons. Apple Podcasts displays the latest season by default and allows users navigate to a specific season as needed. Learn more about how to set the order of podcast episodes.
To ensure your show is eligible for featuring consideration, follow our best practices:
- Always set your show type as Serial in tandem with using Episode and Season Number tags.
- Remove episode numbers from episode titles.
- Make sure your standard show art follows the artwork guidelines.
- Submit Full Page Show art which follows the artwork guidelines.
- Include a trailer.