How to Publish a Podcast in 2026: Spotify, Apple, YouTube & More

Key takeaways:

• To publish a podcast, you need a podcast host, an RSS feed, and a directory to submit your podcast to.
• Upload your episode to your hosting provider, then distribute it to podcast directories like Spotify, Apple, and YouTube via your RSS link.
• Make sure your files, cover art, and metadata meet each platform’s requirements to avoid delays.
• After your show gets approved, you can upload new episodes to your host, and they will automatically appear in the directories you submitted your RSS feed to.

‍Publishing your podcast is easier than you think; you just need to know where to start.

Whether you’re launching an audio show or a full video podcast, this guide walks you through how to publish a podcast on every major platform.

How do you publish a podcast?

To publish your podcast, you need to upload your episodes to a podcast host, which then distributes them to different directories through your RSS feed.

Once you’ve set up the publishing process the first time, it pretty much runs itself.

We’ll go into detail by platform below, but overall, just follow these steps:

1. Record your podcast, ideally with software that provides you with studio-quality audio and video files.
2. Upload your episode to a podcast host, following your host’s procedures and requirements. Add description, cover, thumbnail, show notes, and transcript. 
3. Look for an “RSS feed” or “Distribution” tab in your host’s dashboard to copy your RSS feed. 
4. Submit your RSS feed to podcast directories like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 
5. Wait for approval. Some platforms take between 24 hours and 10 days to publish your show.
6. Your podcast goes live. Now, every new episode you upload to your host will automatically show up in all your directories.
7. Claim your show. Once your podcast is live, claim ownership of your podcast on each platform. This unlocks access to podcast analytics (e.g., listener numbers, download trends).

After setup, every new episode you upload to your host will automatically appear in all your connected directories.

Pro tip: Publish your content when your audience is most active. According to our data, the most popular time for podcasters using Riverside to publish their shows is Tuesday at 22:00.

What do you need to publish a podcast?

Here are the elements and assets you’ll need before you can publish podcast episodes.

Podcast host vs. RSS feed vs. directory

In order to publish any podcast, you’ll need a podcast host, RSS feed and directory. They each play a vital role in distribution:

Your podcast host acts as your home base and stores your audio and video files online. The RSS feed is a URL containing all your show's data, and it presents your episode information, artwork, and media files to podcast directories.

Directories read your feed and make your show discoverable to listeners. Every time you upload a new episode to your host, podcast directories will automatically update your show.

Podcast recording and other publishing assets

Once your distribution is set, you need to sort out a few more assets before you can publish your episode: 

• Finished episode file: An audio or video file of your recording (MP3, MP4, WAV, etc). The higher the audio and video quality is, the better. Try to aim for 4K video and 48kHz, uncompressed audio.
• RSS feed URL: The file created by your host that automatically surfaces new episodes for podcast directories.
• Platform accounts: Active creator accounts on your target directories, such as Apple Podcasts for Creators and Spotify for Creators. 
• Title and description: A compelling title for your episode and a clear description of what it covers.
• Show notes and chapters: A brief episode summary with key links or resources. Add time-stamped chapters so listeners can easily skip to specific topics.
• Podcast cover art: Your podcast cover art should be 3000x3000 pixels, 72 dpi, in RGB color, with no transparency. The image’s file size must be 512KB or less, and it should be in JPEG or PNG format.
• Basic metadata: Prepare your show name, author name, category, language, explicit content setting, copyright details, and contact email. 
• Copyright and rights clearance: Make sure you have the rights to use your music, clips, artwork, guest recordings, video assets, and any third-party material included in the episode. 

How to publish a podcast to multiple platforms using a host

Some hosts, like Buzzsprout or Riverside, offer built-in distribution tools so you don’t need to submit your show manually to every podcast directory.

For example, Riverside offers one-click publishing to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon Music. 

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Log in to Riverside, and from your dashboard, select the “Hosting” tab to host a new podcast.

Step 2: Set up your podcast and episode details (title, description, categories, cover art, etc). You can also use Riverside’s Co-Creator to add custom thumbnails, cover art, transcripts, and show notes. 

Click “Create” when you're done.

Step 3: Now that your podcast has at least one episode, you can publish it to directories.

To publish to Spotify, just click on “Connect to Spotify.” Every time you publish or schedule a new episode, Riverside will now automatically push it to Spotify.

Following the same steps, you can also one-click publish your podcast episodes to Apple Podcasts,YouTube, Amazon Music, and more by connecting your accounts!

How to publish a podcast on popular platforms

Although the basic process to publish a podcast is the same across directories, there are small nuances to be aware of. For your convenience, we’ve covered a few popular options in more detail below.

How to publish a podcast on Spotify

Supports video: Yes.

With more than 760 million monthly active users as of Q1 2026, Spotify is a top destination for podcasts. Its hosting platform, Spotify for Creators, simplifies setup and enables you to manage episodes, analytics, and monetization from the same interface.

Spotify also supports video podcasts. And because it’s integrated with Riverside, you can record and publish right in your web browser, all at once. 

Spotify podcast requirements

• Video (if applicable): 
  
  • Format: MP4 or MOV.
  • Resolution: 1080p, 16:9 layout.
  • Encoding: H.264 High Profile or H.265/HEVC.
  • Bitrate: Up to 25 Mbps for 1080p or 35 Mbps for 4K.
  • Max length: 12 hours.
  • Sync: Audio and video must be on separate, synchronized tracks.
• Audio: 
  
  • Formats: MP3, WAV, or MP4 with AAC.
  • MP3 bitrate: 96–320 Kbps (128 Kbps+ recommended).
  • Max length: 12 hours (~2GB file at 320 Kbps).
• Cover art:
  
  • Formats: JPEG, PNG, or TIFF
  • Size: Between 640×640 and 10,000×10,000 pixels, square aspect ratio.
• Metadata & feed:
  Your podcast must include:
  
  • A title: Max 200 characters; encode special characters (e.g., & for &).
  • Cover art
  • Description
  • At least 1 published episode

How to upload your podcast to Spotify

Step 1: Log into your Spotify account, click on the profile icon in the upper right-hand corner of your screen, and select “Add a new show.”

Step 2: Click on “Find an existing show,” then select whether your show is already hosted on Spotify for Creators or Somewhere else.

From this same screen, you can also launch a new video podcast by taking advantage of the partnership with Riverside. To find out how, just follow the instructions in our guide on how to start a podcast on Spotify.

Step 3: If your podcast is hosted on Spotify, all you need to do is write its title or the email associated with it. If it’s hosted somewhere else, you must add your show’s RSS feed URL.

Step 4: Confirm ownership of the podcast you’re submitting by entering the verification code that Spotify will send you.

Step 5: Fill in all the details about your show (category, language, location, and host) and click “Submit.”

How to publish a podcast on Apple Podcasts

Listing your podcast in the Apple Podcasts app is a good way to tap into a loyal audience and build your reputation. Here’s how to submit your show.

Apple podcast requirements

• RSS feed:
  
  • Must follow RSS 2.0 specs, which is the standard XML code structure required for podcast directories to read your show's data. Most hosts format this automatically.
  • Must include tags, artwork, and at least one episode.
  • If you’ve built your own feed, validate it with a tool like Podbase.
• Audio:
  
  • Format (RSS-hosted episodes): M4A or MP3.
  • Format (episodes created in Apple Podcasts Connect for subscriptions): MP3, WAV, or FLAC.
  • Recommended: 44.1 kHz sample rate, -16 dB LKFS loudness (a common podcast loudness target for consistent listening volume).

• Video (optional):
  
  • Formats: MP4, MOV, or M4V.
  • Resolution: 1080p is recommended, but supports up to 4K.

Note: For video podcasts, you may want a separate video feed if you also publish an audio-only version of the show. 

• Cover art:
  
  • Format: JPEG or PNG
  • Size: 1400×1400 to 3000×3000 pixels.
  • Transparency: No transparency or alpha channel.
  • No imagery that includes profanity, drugs, or violence, or other content that may violate Apple’s guidelines.

• Metadata & feed
  Your podcast must include:
  
  • A title: Avoid special characters or all caps.
  • Cover art
  • Description
  • At least 1 published episode
  • Language tag
  • Author tag: Include a name (person or organization).
  • Explicit content tag: Must specify if your content is explicit or clean.

How to upload your podcast to Apple Podcasts

Step 1: Create a new Apple ID specifically for your podcast. Log into Podcast Connect.

Step 2: Click on the “+” button to add your podcast show.

Step 3: Select “Add a show with an RSS feed” and click “Next.”

Step 4: Paste in your RSS URL.

Step 5: Click “Validate” to check your URL. An error message will appear if there is a problem with the feed.

Step 6: Click “Submit.”

Step 7: Once your feed is validated, click “Submit” and wait for approval (anywhere from 24 hours to 2 weeks). Apple will use the email address you entered as your iTunes email.

After Apple approves your show, it'll be available in the Podcast app on iOS and macOS devices.

For more details, check our guide on how to upload your podcast to Apple directly from your host.

How to publish your podcast to YouTube

If you want to potentially get in front of YouTube’s millions of users, here’s how to publish to the platform.

YouTube requirements

• Video (if applicable):
  YouTube will use your uploaded video file or auto-generate a static image from your podcast art (if using RSS).
  
  • Formats: MPEG-2, MPEG-4 (recommended), also supports WMV, AVI, MOV, and FLV.
  • Recommended codec: H.264 for MPEG-4.
  • Resolution: 1080p recommended, supports up to 4K.
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9 or 4:3.
  • Frame rate: Native frame rates (24, 25, or 30 fps).
  • Audio bitrate: Minimum 128 kbps.
• Audio:
  
  • Formats: MP3, WAV, FLAC, MOV.
  • Bitrate: 64 kbps minimum, 128 kbps+ for higher quality.
• Imagery:
  
  • Podcast image: JPEG or PNG, 1280×1280 pixels (1:1).
  • Episode thumbnails (optional): JPEG, PNG, or GIF, 1280x720 pixels (16:9).
• Metadata & feed:
  Your podcast must include:
  
  • Title: No HTML or special characters.
  • Description
  • At least 1 episode
  • Language: Must be specified.
  • Category: Choose the most relevant option.
  • Paid promotion: Must disclose using YouTube’s “Paid promotion” checkbox if applicable.
  • Owner email: Must be included in the RSS feed for verification. 

How to upload your podcast to YouTube

Step 1: From your YouTube profile, click on “YouTube Studio” to open your Studio. Click “Create” on the top-right of your screen and select “New Podcast.”

Step 2: Select “Submit an RSS feed” and accept YouTube’s terms and conditions. Once prompted, submit your RSS feed URL.

Step 3: Type the verification code that you received in your email and click “Verify” to confirm ownership of your show.

Step 4: Choose whether you want to upload all the episodes in your RSS feed, only new ones, or all episodes from a certain date. 

Select what visibility you want your podcast to have, then click “Save.” 

Step 5: Wait for YouTube to send you an email confirming all your episodes are ready to be published. 

Then, from your “YouTube Studio”, go to “Content” and then “Podcasts.”

Click “Publish” next to your podcast feed to make your show live on YouTube.

For more details, check out our guide on how to start a podcast on YouTube.

How to publish your podcast to Amazon Music & Audible

While Amazon Music and Audible are different platforms, they’re both owned by Amazon, and the process is nearly identical.

Getting your podcast onto Amazon Music is extremely simple.

Amazon Music & Audible requirements

• Audio format: Amazon supports audio files in MP3, M4A, MP4, WMA, FLAC, OGG, and ALAC formats.
• Artwork size: Square (1:1), between 1400×1400 and 3000×3000 pixels.
• Episodes and title: At least one episode, a unique title, and description.
• Content guidelines: Must meet Amazon’s content guidelines (This means no harassment, no promotional content, no explicit or sexually graphic material, etc).

How to upload your podcast to Amazon Music & Audible

Step 1: Go to Amazon Music for Podcasters.

Step 2: Click on “Add or Claim Your Podcast,” then enter your RSS feed URL.

Step 3: Accept the terms of use and then wait for a verification email.

Step 4: Open your email and “Confirm Ownership.”

Your podcast should link to Amazon Music soon (if not immediately).

For a more detailed overview, check our guide on how to submit a podcast on Amazon Music & Audible.

How to publish your podcast on TuneIn

With over 75 million listeners, TuneIn is a popular directory for free internet radio, sports, music, news talk, and podcasts. Here’s how to submit your podcast:

TuneIn requirements

• Audio:
  
  • Format: MP3 or M4A.
• Cover art:
  
  • JPEG or PNG.
  • Dimensions: Square image, at least 1400x1400 pixels.
• Metadata & feed:
  Your podcast must include:
  
  • Podcast title
  • Description
  • Language
  • Genre
  • At least 1 episode

How to upload your podcast to TuneIn

Step 1: Log in to your TuneIn account, navigate to the TuneIn Podcasters page, then click on “Publish a Podcast.”

Step 2: Type your details, email address, and birth date to create a Broadcaster Portal account.

Step 3: Fill in the form that appears. Enter your RSS feed URL, type of partnership, and geo-restrictions. Once you’re done, agree to the terms and conditions and click the “Save” button.

Step 4: After verification is complete, you will receive an email from TuneIn with the status of your submission and whether your podcast was accepted.

For more information, check our full guide on how to submit a podcast on TuneIn.

How to publish a podcast to Google Podcasts

In April 2024, Google Podcasts was officially phased out and replaced by YouTube Music, which has a dedicated “Podcasts” tab for both video and audio podcasts. Plus, as a publication and distribution platform, YouTube makes more sense with more than 2.5 billion monthly users worldwide!

Other podcast directories worth knowing

Besides the major directories we mentioned above, there are several other directories that can help expand your podcast’s reach. Many of these let you manually submit your RSS feed, but they sync from Apple’s directory automatically. So if your show is on Apple, your podcast is probably already listed there without any extra work.

Here is a list of the directories worth mentioning:

• iHeartRadio: A popular broadcast and streaming platform for radio shows with more than 250 million active monthly listeners. You must submit your show manually through iHeartRadio’s podcaster portal or through a supported partner host. Follow our full guide to submit your podcast to iHeartRadio.
• Podchaser: Often called the “IMDb of podcasts,” Podchaser is a crowdsourced directory and discovery engine where listeners can improve their show’s visibility through ratings, reviews, and curated playlists. 
• Podbean: One of the oldest podcast hosts, Podbean is also a directory that supports video podcasts. If your show is not hosted there, you can still manually submit your RSS feed by following our guide on how to upload a video podcast to Podbean.
• Pandora: A streaming giant and subsidiary of SiriusXM that also features curated podcasts. Unlike most directories, Pandora doesn't just pull in RSS feeds automatically, so you’ll need to submit manually and wait for approval. 
• Pocket Casts: A cross-platform podcast app. You can manually submit your podcast RSS feed via its support page.
• Overcast: An iOS podcast app that automatically pulls from Apple Podcasts. If your podcast is listed on Apple, you’re already here, too.
• Castbox: Another popular podcast host and directory that automatically populates its list by syncing with the Apple Podcasts database.

What happens after publishing your podcast

Once you’ve uploaded your first podcast episode, it can take some time for the directories to approve it. After it’s published, check that your show appears correctly on every major platform you submitted it to. 

Then, focus on these next steps: 

Monitor your podcast analytics

Once your podcast is live on a directory, you’ll want to claim your show on each platform to unlock podcast analytics. 

You can find performance data in the “Analytics” tab on most platforms, like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Riverside, or your YouTube Studio. This way you can fine-tune your strategies based on your audience’s preferences by keeping track of the topics and formats that get more listeners, better engagement, or a higher number of downloads.

Promote your published podcast

Now it’s time to get your show to as many listeners as possible. Here are a few tips to help you promote your podcast episodes:

• Add your podcast to as many listening apps as possible. Don’t stop at just the major directories.
• Be active on social media and build a community by running contests and engaging with your audience.
• Repurpose your content into blog posts, social media assets, and short clips. 
• Work on your podcast SEO to make your show more easily discoverable on search engines and listening apps.
• Launch a newsletter to stay in touch with subscribers and keep them coming back for extra content, behind-the-scenes moments, and more.

Read more: Check our full guide to find all the ways to promote your podcast.

Monetize your podcast 

There are many different ways to monetize your podcast, even if you’re just starting out. Here are some of the most effective methods:

• Ask your fans to support your podcast with direct donations using platforms such as Patreon or PayPal. 
• Offer paid membership tiers to give your most loyal listeners access to premium or exclusive content.
• Even if your podcast has a small listener base, you can find a sponsor if you cater to a specific niche.
• Many platforms like YouTube or Spotify let you earn a share of the ad revenues generated by your episodes.
• From T-shirts to mugs, branded merchandise can help you earn some extra revenue and promote your show at the same time.

Read more: Check our guide on how to make money podcasting.

Troubleshooting common podcast publishing issues 

Even with careful planning, you might encounter some unexpected issues when publishing or distributing your podcast. Don’t panic, we’ve got some fixes for the most common problems:

My podcast hasn’t appeared yet

If your podcast hasn’t appeared yet, note that some larger directories (like TuneIn and Apple Podcasts) perform manual reviews that require up to 10 days. If you still haven't heard from them after 2 weeks, confirm that your RSS feed is public (not password-protected) and includes at least 1 episode.

If your show is rejected or delayed, check for common issues such as: 

• Missing artwork.
• Invalid RSS tags.
• Inaccessible media files.
• Explicit content mismatches.
• Copyright problems.

My cover art was rejected

If your cover art was rejected, check that your podcast cover image meets the requirements. Make sure it is a square JPEG or PNG between 1400×1400 and 3000×3000 pixels, in RGB color, with no transparency, and under 512KB.

RSS validation errors

Verify that each episode in your RSS has a valid URL to the media file. If your audio file isn’t accessible because the link is broken or your host is down, the directories can’t grab the episode. You can check for errors using one of the many feed validator tools online before submitting your show to the directory.

My metadata is wrong

If you spot a typo in your show notes or titles, edit the text directly inside your podcast hosting platform. You do not need to resubmit your podcast feed to the listening apps. Some platforms may cache old metadata, so changes may require up to 24 hours to appear.

Duplicate listings 

These usually happen if you accidentally submit the same RSS feed twice, or if you change your podcast host without applying a standard redirection tag. To fix this, claim the correct listing where possible, then contact the platform or your host to remove or merge the duplicate. 

FAQs on publishing a podcast

Are there any legal considerations for publishing a podcast?

Yes, legal considerations for publishing a podcast include obtaining rights for music, sound effects, images, or clips as well as obtaining recording consent. 

If you use any asset you don’t have rights to, your content can be removed or flagged by a platform, and you risk legal repercussions. Always use licensed or royalty-free music, such as the tracks you can find in Riverside’s editor and Media Board. 

Also, if you’re interviewing guests, it’s good practice to get their consent to record and distribute the content. 

Can you update your podcast after publishing?

Yes, you can update an episode after publishing by editing the episode details or files directly inside your podcast hosting platform. These changes will propagate to most podcast directories via your RSS feed. 

Most directories will automatically detect your updates and refresh your show within 24 to 48 hrs. For platforms like YouTube, replacing media files requires uploading a new video.

How much does it cost to publish a podcast?

You can publish a podcast for free if you use a free plan on a hosting platform. Free hosting plans can work for beginners, but they may include limits on storage, upload time, analytics, monetization, or distribution. Upgrading to a paid host will cost you around $10 to $20 per month depending on the plan you choose.

Can I publish a video podcast?

Yes, if your hosting platform supports video files, you can publish a video podcast by generating a compatible RSS feed. You can then submit it to directories that support video podcasts, like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Where should I publish my podcast first?

You should first publish your podcast on major directories like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon Music. Most minor directories pull from these platforms automatically, so this gives you broad reach from the start.

Can I change hosts after I’ve submitted my podcast?

Yes, you can change hosts after you’ve submitted your podcast, but it’s better to have a backup of all your podcast files before you start a migration. 

First, you must export your podcast from the old host and import it into the new one. Then you need to 301 redirect your RSS feed so it points to your new host RSS feed. Most hosting platforms allow you to do that from within your dashboard, so the process is easier than it sounds.

Do I need a website to publish a podcast?

No, you don’t need a website to publish a podcast. In fact, it’s better to use a dedicated hosting platform to story your episodes. You can still create your own podcast website to help with discoverability, and it can act as a central hub to promote your content.