Get started with Apple Podcasts

Starting a podcast is an exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, endeavor. Whether you’re passionate about sharing stories, educating others, or discussing your favorite topics, laying a solid foundation is key to a successful launch. This guide walks you through the essential steps to get started with Apple Podcasts, from getting your account in order to launching and promoting your show.

1. Submit or claim your show.

When you own your show on Apple Podcasts, you have full control and visibility. Unless your show is part of a larger network agreement, we recommend setting it up in your own Apple Podcasts Connect account from the start.

• Sign in to Apple Podcasts Connect. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one.
• Submit a new show: Choose this option if your show is new to Apple Podcasts.
• Claim an existing show: Choose this option if your show is on Apple Podcasts, but it’s not in your Apple Podcasts Connect account.
• Consider who might need access to your Apple Podcasts Connect account. You can invite people to join your account as long as they have a valid Apple Account. There are a variety of roles, each offering differing levels of access to shows and information.

2. Get creative with your artwork.

• Review the artwork guide to see where your art shows up and understand best practices.
• Download templates and place design elements within the art safe areas. This ensures they won’t be cropped or obstructed by Apple Podcasts user interface elements overlaid on top of the artwork.
• Consider using Canva to easily create artwork if you don’t want to start from scratch. Canva has many tools and Apple Podcasts templates that help you create a cohesive brand system.

3. Make your show shine on Apple Podcasts.

If your show is already on Apple Podcasts, you may have completed these steps already. 

• Ensure that your RSS feed has accurate and complete metadata. (See more information on key RSS tags). We suggest you pay particular attention to: 
• Categories: You may select a primary, secondary, and subcategories. Select the categories which will help listeners discover your show.
• Episode, season, and series tag: If your show is serialized, ensure that this tag is used. Also ensure you use the correct season and episode tags for each episode, and do not add any season or episode number into the episode title. If you are uploading a trailer, use the trailer tag, and if you are uploading bonus content, use the bonus episode tag.
• You must have at least one episode for your show to be available on Apple Podcasts. We suggest that at least a trailer is uploaded.
• Set your release date and country availability in Apple Podcasts Connect.
• Ensure you adhere to our content guidelines.
• Finally, if you haven’t already, submit your show via Apple Podcasts Connect.

Organize your shows into channels

• If you have more than one show, organize these shows into a channel so that audiences can find your shows in a single destination.
• Set up a channel on Apple Podcasts Connect. You must have an admin role to manage channels.
• We have specific artwork requirements for channels. You’ll need to upload this during the channel set up process.

4. Prepare to launch.

How will you get the word out about your show? Prepare your marketing materials and strategy in advance to set the stage for a less stressful launch.

• Use Apple Podcasts Marketing Tools to easily create custom links, badges, QR codes, and assets to share on social media. At least one episode (like a trailer) must be live to use these tools.
• Publish and share a trailer a week or two ahead of launch to create early buzz around your show.
• Leverage your community. Find other creators or friends who are excited to help you spread the word about your show.
  
• Make sure your brand message is consistent to establish a strong identity and attract listeners.
  
• Consider creating promotional artwork, which can be uploaded with a feature request submission.

5. Grow your audience.

Launch day is only the beginning of your journey as a podcaster. As you consistently release new episodes, you may discover the need to refine your strategy or expand your vision. Apple Podcasts offers tools to help you measure your success and transform your show into a revenue-generating business through Apple Podcasts Subscriptions.

• Use Apple Podcasts Analytics to access key metrics about your show’s performance.
• Learn how listener analytics allow you to better understand how users are engaging with your shows and episodes on Apple Podcasts.
• Find inspiration from other podcasters about what has helped them succeed in our Creator Conversation series.
  
• Submit a featuring request to tell us about your show and its big moments.
• Consider starting a subscription to earn revenue and provide a premium experience to your listeners.