How to Supercharge Your Podcast Metadata

In this blog post we are going to teach you how to optimize the metadata for your show! 🚀 

Metadata is absolutely critical in boosting your audio content. Once you supercharge it, you are going to see results!

We have structured this blog post with the most frequent questions we get about this topic. Feel free to read through all of them or skip to a particular question you have.

Let’s get things started… 🏁

What is metadata? 

Metadata is a description of your podcast that travels with your audio episode file on your RSS feed to listening platforms (example: Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes), Spotify, etc.).

Metadata fields include cover art; show notes; data tags; the names of the author, host, and other characters; if your podcast is explicit; the category of your podcast… basically everything that your listeners need to know. 

That is why it’s so important to optimize it, and why it will help your media production grow and become a success! 💪 

So take your time and do it right! 🕰️ 

Where do I input the metadata data?

You input your metadata information on your hosting podcast platform (example: Ausha 💜). It will have boxes for you to fill in. Then your hosting will encode that information as data in your RSS feed.

Each hosting platform is a little different. One may have a section called “show notes” while another calls this section “episode description.” Usually hosting platforms will describe what they mean in a short sentence there on the metadata input page, or they have a FAQ or help section that describes what info you should put where.

Do different listening platforms have different metadata fields?

Yes, yes they do. For example, what is called “author” on one listening platform might called “host” on another. Usually this does not cause any problems because the data in RSS feed automatically gets put the right information in the field, even though the field has a slightly different name. 😅

While your hosting platform does automatically send out metadata to listening platforms through an RSS feed, it is not a bad idea for you to go to each listening platform individually to see if you need to tweak anything manually. Once you tweak something manually, the change should stick even for new episodes.

While you are there, see if the individual listening platform has has a guide document to show you how optimize your metadata for their particular site.

For example, Apple does not like episode numbers in episode titles. 🙅 They will downgrade your show if the title has an episode number in it, making it harder for potential fans to discover your show.

Who will read the metadata?

First, and maybe most importantly, the Google robots read your metadata. 🤖 

If you optimize the metadata for your podcast, Google will put you closer to the top of the search results… but more on this later. 

Second, listening platforms’ own robots. Just like Google, listening platforms look for keywords to figure out what to suggest to people who are searching for specific content.

Third, your listeners! And any future listeners that are looking for a new podcast to listen to! 🎧 

So make sure to optimize the metadata for your show so that those that are on the fence will be convinced and happy to listen to your great podcast! 

When should I supercharge my metadata? 

It’s best to optimize the metadata for your podcast before you launch your podcast. 

That way you can start off on the right track to try and make your podcast a success. 

It will also be good to optimize your metadata before your show is released because that way everything will be coherent throughout your show. 

BUT, if you’ve already started your podcasting journey and launched your show, it’s not too late to add better data. ⏳ 

Just start making your images and episode descriptions more keyword friendly from here on out… It may take a bit more work, but we have faith in you. 

Why do I need to optimize the metadata for my podcast? 

Well there can be a few reasons…

First: 

When you optimize the metadata for your podcast, it boosts the SEO for your show. 

And for those that don’t know, SEO is Search Engine Optimization, which means that the better your SEO, the higher up your podcast will appear in search engine’s (example: Google) search results. 🖥️ 

And by putting keywords into your metadata, it increases your SEO, which is super helpful for the growth of your podcast! 

Keywords are key! 🗝️ 

The Google robots will search your metadata for keywords and then they can recommend your podcast in the top of their search results when someone searches for something that relates to the subject of your show. 

Second: 

If you have optimized metadata, for example a great thumbnail for your podcast, or a super interesting show description, it can appeal to potential listeners. 😍 

With optimized metadata like this, it can be the difference between someone pressing play on your podcast or not. 👍👎

There is so much metadata that you can optimize to boost your podcast! 

Having clear and exciting episode descriptions and catchy titles for each podcast episode can grab the listener’s attention and make them want to listen to your show. 

You need to ensure that the descriptions are structured well, and you can always add some emojis to make reading it more interesting. 😎 🐥 🌴 🏈

Emojis are also good for portraying emotions which is great to try and get new folks to listen to your podcast! 😁 🤣 😢 😱 

Do you have any ⚡ quick tips ⚡ to supercharge metadata?

You know here at Ausha we always have some concrete, powerful tips for you! Here are some that will take you far when it comes to metadata.

Pay special attention to your podcast show description

The show description is probably the most important section of a podcast’s meta data. You want to get it right!

There are 3 steps that we recommend when writing it: 

1. Start with a phrase that is aimed for your target audience that introduces the problem you want to solve or the question that you want to answer through your podcast. ❓
2. Next, add one or two phrases to describe the main topics that you will cover in your podcast. Keep it precise and to the point. 📍
3. Finish convincing your audience by sprinkling in a few words regarding the frequency of your podcast, the format of your show, and maybe mention some of your future guests. 👤

Don’t make your podcast description too long, it could deter people from pressing play. So be straight forward, but remember to keep it interesting! 

To learn more about how to write a strong show description, check out our blog on the topic. We include templates and examples so you will know exactly what to write.

Make unique episode descriptions

It can be tempting to take the easy way out and just copy and paste your podcast show description when writing each episode’s description. 

But don’t! ⚠️ 

We both know you’re more creative than that! 

When writing each episode’s description, don’t repeat the show’s title or the name of the host, because that’s already posted in the podcast’s overall description, would therefore be repetitive. 

So try to work on making sure that each episode has a unique description.

This also gives you the opportunity to add more keywords, boosting your SEO even more! 😁 

Spread out keywords

Another tip, don’t write the keywords one right behind the other. 👯

Search engines like Google, and other algorithms will see your trick and it will not have your desired effect. 

Use tags to optimize your metadata

Tags are used a bit like labels that help your audience discover the episodes of your podcast. 

It functions the same way as a hashtag on Instagram. #️⃣ 

You can assign tags to your show that relate to your podcast topic. This will help those looking under that tag find your show. 

For example if you have a show about vegan cooking, you could have the tag #vegancooking. 🥦 🥕 🥑 

Then when people look at podcasts under the tag #vegancooking they will be likely to find your show! 🧐 

To sum up: 

There can be many elements that make up your metadata.

Make sure that you take the time to optimize each one so that your show can reach its maximum number of downloads possible! 📈 

Keep in mind that the metadata plays a very important role in your podcast’s visibility so don’t brush over it quickly. 

We can’t wait to see all your optimized metadata! 🤩 

Launch your podcast with Ausha

All-in-one platform to easily launch and grow your podcast.

Start for Free