How to Create a Podcast on Apple Podcasts: Step-by-Step Guide

Did you know that Apple Podcasts accounts for a staggering 37.5% of all podcast downloads worldwide? With over 125 million active users and more than 500 million podcast subscriptions each month, Apple's platform remains the undisputed king of podcast distribution. If you're wondering how to create a podcast in Apple Podcasts and launch your new podcast successfully, you've come to the right place!

In this quick guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about creating and launching your podcast on Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes). From understanding podcast hosting requirements to setting up your Apple ID, we'll ensure you have all the tools and knowledge to succeed as Apple podcasters.

Understanding Apple Podcasts and Its Ecosystem

Before we dive into the how-to process, let's clarify what Apple Podcasts actually is. Many newcomers to podcasting make the mistake of thinking Apple Podcasts is a podcast hosting service like Spotify or SoundCloud. It's not!

Apple Podcasts is a podcast listening app and directory that connects listeners to podcasts hosted elsewhere.

Think of it this way: if your new podcast were a restaurant, Apple Podcasts would be like a food delivery app that helps customers find and access your restaurant, while your actual podcast hosting service would be the kitchen where your audio file content is prepared and stored.

Apple Podcasts uses something called an RSS feed URL to locate and display your podcast content. This feed URL acts like coordinates on a map, containing all your podcast's metadata and pointing to where your audio files are actually stored.

This distinction is crucial because it means you'll need two things to get your podcast on Apple successfully: a reliable podcast hosting platform and an approved submission through Apple Podcasts Connect. The beauty of this system is that once you set it up correctly, your podcast hosting service automatically updates Apple Podcasts whenever you publish new episodes.

As Apple podcasters, we also have access to additional features through the Apple Podcasters Program. For $19.99 per year, this program allows creators to offer premium subscriptions, exclusive content, and custom benefits to their most dedicated listeners.

Preparing Your Foundation: Requirements and Prerequisites

Creating a successful podcast on Apple Podcasts starts with proper preparation. Apple has specific technical and content requirements that must be met before your new podcast can be approved. Let's break down what you'll need to have ready.

First, you'll need at least one complete podcast episode as an audio file in the proper format. Apple accepts MP3 or AAC audio file formats, with AAC being their preferred choice for better audio quality and more efficient streaming. Your audio file should be professional quality. Poor audio file quality is one of the fastest ways to lose listeners and potentially face rejection from Apple's review team.

Your podcast artwork is equally important and must meet Apple's exact specifications. The artwork needs to be between 1400x1400 pixels (minimum) and 3000x3000 pixels (maximum), saved as either a JPG or PNG file in RGB color space with 72 DPI resolution. The artwork should be easily readable on small screens since most people browse Apple Podcasts on their phones. Avoid using Apple logos, hardware images, or anything that looks blurry or pixelated.

You'll also need compelling podcast metadata including a unique show title, author name, and description. Apple uses these fields for search functionality within Apple Podcasts, so incorporating relevant keywords naturally is important for discoverability. However, be careful not to stuff keywords unnaturally – Apple's review team will reject podcasts that appear to be gaming the system.

Content-wise, your new podcast must comply with Apple's guidelines. This means no hate speech, illegal content, or material that violates copyright. If your podcast contains explicit language, you must mark it appropriately. Apple also requires disclosure if you've used AI to generate a significant portion of your podcast's audio content. 

Setting Up Your Podcast Hosting and RSS Feed

Since Apple Podcasts doesn't host your audio files, choosing the right podcast hosting platform is a critical decision for your new podcast. Popular podcast hosting options include Spotify for Creators (formerly Spotify for Podcasters), Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Podbean, and many others. Each podcast hosting platform has its own strengths, pricing models, and features. 

When selecting a podcast hosting service, consider factors like storage limits for your audio files, bandwidth allowances, analytics capabilities, and ease of use. Many podcast hosting platforms offer one-click submission to Apple Podcasts and other directories, which can significantly streamline your workflow. Some podcast hosting services like RSS.com even handle the Apple Podcasts submission process automatically once you've published your first audio file. 

Once you've chosen your podcast hosting platform and uploaded your first episode audio file with all the necessary metadata, your hosting service will generate an RSS feed URL.

This feed URL contains all the information about your podcast – show details, episode information, artwork links, and audio file locations. You'll need this RSS feed URL for the next step in getting your podcast on Apple. 

Make sure to test your RSS feed URL before submitting to Apple. Most podcast hosting platforms provide validation tools, or you can use online RSS validators to ensure everything is properly formatted. Common issues include missing artwork, improperly formatted dates, or incorrect audio file paths in the URL.

Navigating Apple Podcasts Connect and Setting Up Your Apple ID

Apple Podcasts Connect is your command center for managing your podcast on Apple's platform. This web-based dashboard is where you'll submit your new podcast, monitor its performance, and make updates as needed. To access Apple Podcasts Connect, you'll need an Apple ID with a valid credit card on file, even though submitting podcasts to Apple is completely free. 

Setting up your Apple ID for podcast management is straightforward, but we recommend creating a dedicated Apple ID for your podcast rather than using your personal account. This is especially important if you're working with a team or plan to hand off podcast management to someone else in the future. Your Apple ID will be associated with all your Apple podcaster activities, so keeping it separate from personal use is a smart practice. 

Once you're logged into Apple Podcasts Connect with your Apple ID, you'll see a clean, intuitive interface. The main dashboard shows all your submitted podcasts, their current status, and key performance metrics. For new Apple podcasters, you'll start with an empty dashboard and a prominent "+" button to add your first show. 

The platform also provides access to detailed analytics once your podcast on Apple is live. You can track your Apple Podcast analytics that measure downloads, listener demographics, episode performance, and more. These insights become invaluable for understanding your audience and improving your content strategy over time. Unlike iTunes' previous system, Apple Podcasts Connect offers much more comprehensive data for Apple podcasters.

The Step-by-Step Submission Process

Now comes the exciting part – actually submitting your new podcast to Apple Podcasts! The process is more straightforward than many people expect, but attention to detail is crucial for getting your podcast on Apple successfully. 

Start by logging into Apple Podcasts Connect with your Apple ID and clicking the "+" button to add a new show. You'll be presented with two options: "Add a show with an RSS feed" or "Add a show without an RSS feed." For most Apple podcasters using podcast hosting services, you'll choose the first option since you're using a third-party platform. 

Paste your RSS feed URL into the provided field and click "Add." Apple Podcasts Connect will now fetch information from your feed URL and validate it. This process usually takes just a few minutes, but can sometimes take up to a few hours if Apple's servers are busy. Don't worry if it takes longer than expected – this is normal for new podcast submissions! 

Once validation is complete, you'll see your new podcast information populated in Apple Podcasts Connect. Take this opportunity to review everything carefully. Check that your artwork appears correctly, your audio file information is accurate, and all metadata looks professional. This is your last chance to catch any errors before getting your podcast on Apple officially. 

You'll also need to complete the Content Rights section, indicating whether your podcast contains third-party material and confirming you have the rights to use any copyrighted content. Be honest here – Apple takes copyright seriously, and false claims can result in removal from the platform. 

After reviewing everything, click "Submit for Review." Your new podcast will now enter Apple's review queue, where human reviewers will check it against their guidelines and technical requirements. The review process typically takes 24 to 72 hours, though it can occasionally take as little as 15 minutes or up to five business days during busy periods.

Creating Compelling Content and Show Notes

One of the most time-consuming aspects of podcasting is creating the supporting content that helps your episodes get discovered and keeps listeners engaged. This includes writing detailed show notes, creating episode descriptions, and developing social media content to promote each audio file you publish. 

Many successful Apple podcasters streamline this process by using AI-powered content creation tools like Castmagic that can automatically generate show notes, timestamps, key topics, and even social media posts directly from their audio files. These tools can analyze your podcast transcript and extract the most important information, saving you hours of manual work while ensuring you never miss highlighting crucial moments from your episodes. 

When crafting your episode descriptions for Apple Podcasts, focus on including relevant keywords that your target audience might search for, but keep the language natural and engaging. The first few sentences are especially important since they appear in search results and can determine whether someone clicks to listen to your podcast on Apple.

Optimizing for Success and Discovery

Getting approved is just the beginning of your journey as Apple podcasters. To maximize your new podcast's success on the platform, you need to understand how Apple's algorithm works and what factors influence discoverability for your podcast on Apple.

Apple Podcasts uses several signals to determine which podcasts to promote and suggest to users. Consistent publishing schedules, listener engagement metrics, subscription rates, and completion rates all play a role. The platform also considers factors like review ratings, social sharing, and how quickly new audio files gain traction.

One of the most important things you can do is encourage your listeners to subscribe, rate, and review your podcast on Apple. Apple's algorithm heavily weights these engagement signals, and positive reviews help build social proof for potential new listeners. Don't be shy about asking for reviews – most listeners are happy to support podcasts they enjoy if you simply ask!

Category selection is another crucial factor for discoverability. Apple Podcasts organizes content into various categories and subcategories, and your choice affects who discovers your show. Consider choosing a more specific subcategory rather than a broad main category, as competition is typically less intense and you're more likely to rank higher in search results.

Unlike platforms like Spotify for Creators where discovery works differently, Apple Podcasts heavily relies on category rankings and search functionality, making proper optimization essential for new podcast success. 

Managing and Growing Your Apple Podcast

Once your podcast on Apple is live, your real work begins. Consistent content creation is key to building and maintaining an audience. Apple's algorithm favors podcasts that publish regularly, so establish a schedule for uploading new audio files that you can realistically maintain and stick to it. 

Apple Podcasts Connect provides robust analytics to help you understand your audience and improve your content strategy. Pay attention to metrics like episode completion rates, which can tell you a lot about audio file quality and listener engagement. If people consistently drop off at certain points in your episodes, that's valuable feedback about pacing, content structure, or technical issues with your audio files. 

The platform also shows you demographic information about your listeners, including their geographic distribution and the devices they use to listen. This data can inform decisions about content topics, publishing times, and even potential sponsorship opportunities as your new podcast grows. 

To maximize your podcast's impact, consider repurposing your content across multiple formats. Many successful Apple podcasters extract key quotes, create short video clips for social media, and develop newsletter content from their episodes. Tools that can automatically transcribe your audio files and generate various content assets can significantly streamline this process, allowing you to maintain a consistent presence across multiple platforms without overwhelming your schedule. 

Don't forget to keep your podcast information updated as your show evolves. Apple Podcasts Connect makes it easy to update your description, artwork, and other metadata through your Apple ID account. Fresh, accurate information helps with discoverability and shows Apple's algorithm that your podcast is actively maintained. 

Expanding Beyond Apple Podcasts

While Apple Podcasts is the largest podcast directory, successful Apple podcasters typically distribute their content across multiple platforms. Once your podcast on Apple is established, consider submitting to Spotify, YouTube Podcasts, Amazon Music, and other directories to maximize your reach. 

The good news is that the RSS feed URL you created for Apple Podcasts works for most other platforms too. Many podcast hosting services offer one-click distribution to multiple directories, making it easy to expand your presence without additional technical work. However, each platform has its own requirements – for example, Spotify has different optimization strategies compared to Apple Podcasts. 

Building an email list and social media presence around your new podcast is equally important for long-term success. These owned media channels give you direct access to your audience and aren't subject to algorithm changes on any single platform. Consider creating newsletter content from your episodes, sharing behind-the-scenes content, and engaging with your community across multiple touchpoints. 

Many Apple podcasters also find success in creating additional content formats from their episodes. This might include blog articles, social media posts, video clips, or even course materials – all derived from the same core audio file content. The key is working efficiently so you can maximize the value of each episode without burning out from content creation demands.