Hello there… 🤺
So you’ve created your first podcast ?
You’ve already recorded your first episode and now you want to share it with the entire world but you’re lost among the different apps?
Before starting to look into the different directories for your podcast, you should definitely check our article on “how to host a podcast and publish it”.
Here’s just a quick reminder of the definition of a podcast hosting platform 👇
It’s a platform where you can store the audio content you want to share with your listeners.
On this platform you can upload your audio files, then add all the relevant content such as your podcast cover, your podcast description, the description of your episodes, all the podcast metadata for your episodes, etc…
Your podcast hosting provider is also there to give you the podcast statistics (like monthly active users) you need to monitor your podcast’s performance and to help you get listed on the most important directories.
We know we might be a little bit biased but we think you should definitely check us out: Ausha also includes special marketing and communication tools for helping you with your podcasting work, boosting your visibility and attracting more listeners !
Here we are, you have chosen your hosting platform and uploaded your podcast online, you are now the happy owner of an RSS feed.
For the DIYers among you, we even wrote a step-by-step guide: creating an RSS feed for your podcast: The DIY method. 🛠
Now, you need to submit your show to be listed on the top podcast directories (also known as listening platforms).
Are you ready to be heard by the entire world ? We listed the 19 most important directories.
Let’s get started ! 💪
| # | Podcast Directory | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple Podcasts | One of the most popular platforms, essential for visibility and discovery. |
| 2 | Spotify | Major platform for podcasts; distributes episodes automatically from your RSS feed. |
| 3 | YouTube | Primarily video-based but now key for podcasts, with strong recommendation algorithms. |
| 4 | Amazon Music | Accessible through Alexa, Amazon Music app, and Audible app. |
| 5 | Podcast Addict | Popular Android app, widely used in Europe for podcast discovery. |
| 6 | Pocket Casts | Offers curated recommendations and an extensive library of podcasts. |
| 7 | TuneIn | Combines live radio, music, sports, and podcasts in one app. |
| 8 | Pandora | Known for its recommendation system called the Podcast Genome Project. |
| 9 | Podchaser | Podcast database where users can review, rate, and explore detailed show info. |
| 10 | Listen Notes | Podcast search engine designed to help users find shows by topic. |
| 11 | Podcast Index | Independent open directory supporting the open podcasting ecosystem. |
| 12 | iHeartRadio | Hybrid of online radio and podcast streaming with personalized options. |
| 13 | Player FM | Cloud-based platform available on both Apple and Android devices. |
| 14 | Castbox | Focuses on SEO and AI-powered discovery; includes social features. |
| 15 | Overcast | iOS app with features like Smart Speed and Voice Boost for better listening. |
If your podcast isn’t on Apple Podcasts, does it even exist?
We’re (kind of) serious. Submitting your show to Apple Podcasts is a must if you want to appear in one of the most popular podcast directories out there.
With 28 million monthly listeners, Apple Podcasts is one of the most powerful platforms for growing your audience. Not only will your current listeners find you there, but its algorithm can also recommend your show to people who love similar content.
Need help? Check out our step-by-step guide: How to Add Your Podcast to Apple Podcasts.
Just keep in mind that a submission on Apple podcasts could lead to thousands of new people discovering your content !
Spotify has become the second most popular platform for podcast listeners and will eventually become the first by the end of 2022 with 28.2 million monthly listeners.
Like Apple podcasts, the Spotify app will use the RSS feed on your hosting provider to upload your episodes as soon as they are available.
You won’t need to submit your episodes each week and you will reach the ears of new listeners everyday.
You want to know more about how to distribute your podcast on Spotify ? 👉 Check our step-by-step guide.
While primarily known for its video content, YouTube has rapidly become a vital platform for podcasters looking to expand their reach. With over 2 billion logged-in monthly users, YouTube offers an unparalleled opportunity to grow your audience.
By converting your podcast episodes into video format (whether it’s a simple static image with audio or a fully recorded video session) you can tap into YouTube’s massive user base.
Your episodes will be available immediately upon upload and will benefit from YouTube’s sophisticated recommendation algorithms, which can introduce your podcast to viewers who have shown interest in similar content. Plus, there’s no need to submit new episodes each week; once your channel is set up, new content goes live instantly.
Amazon Music has 55 million listeners around the world. Plus, it has several different outlets where people can access its contents: Amazon Alexa, Amazon Music App, Audible App, etc.
Being on Amazon is an absolute must for modern podcasters!
To be crystal clear, those eleven podcast directories are the most important ones. You have to get your RSS feed on them if you want your podcast to be successful.
They will be your best friends to share your content with the entire world but what about the other options?
Even if they aren’t part of the Jedi High Council, here’s a list of 8 padawans you should consider:
Today Podcast Addict is the most popular podcast app on android with more than 9 million users.
This podcast directory is very popular in Europe, with languages like German or French, and it’s a great opportunity for you if you want to develop your audience outside of the US. 🌍
Pocket Casts really stands out of the crowd when it comes down to podcast directories. This platform sends recommendations to its listeners to listen to new podcast shows.
You definitely want to list your show next to the 300,000 they already have!
Their curation system is among the best ones out there and your podcast would definitely find its audience.
TuneIn brings together everything from live sports and music to news and podcasts. It’s up to the audience to listen to what interests them the most!
This platform is at the crossroads between a basic podcast directory and a design product without extra (and non necessary) features. 🛸
Pandora has two strengths you should pay attention to: it’s popular and it has a powerful recommendation algorithm.
They launched the podcast genome project to provide personalized podcast recommendations for each user based on their listening histories, likes and dislikes.
Podchaser isn’t a podcast directory like the others in this list: it’s a podcast database.
On this platform, users review and rate the podcasts, give information about the hosts and producers of each podcast. ✅
Podcasters add their podcasts to Podchaser so their show can be discovered by the listeners who like to read their never ending lists and use their advanced filters.
Those lists can be customized to find THE podcast they’re looking for.
We talked a lot about the search engine Google, but don’t you want to be on the best podcast search engine?
Well, Listen Notes is there for you, with almost a million podcasts registered in its lists, your podcast will be on a platform designed to help listeners find podcasts about a specific topic. 🤖
The podcast index aims to protect and extend the independent podcasting system. The categorized index is available for free and you should definitely add your podcast to it!
iHeartRadio is, funnily enough, an online radio and a podcast streaming service.
Thanks to its innovative concept, the listeners can set up a profile and customize their listening experience. 📻
This online radio and podcast directory is a good way to reach new listeners that have other listening habits.
Like stitcher, Player FM is an app that works on both Apple and Android devices.
It’s really easy to use and your episodes will be on air in no time thanks to their cloud based technology. Thousands of podcasters are already there and we hope you’re next! ☁️
We won’t say it enough times in this article: by submitting your RSS feed to the maximum number of podcast directories you allow new listeners to find you more often and more easily.
The main strength of Castbox is its SEO optimization and AI (Artificial Intelligence).
People that like to discover new podcasts use this app because it makes the process efficient and simple.
It even comes with social media features to help you grow your audience 📈
Overcast is a free app for Apple devices.
Forget the SEO optimization or the complicated algorithms for this platform, here the rule is simple: Overcast users “star” the shows they enjoy the most to include them in the Featured Podcast section. ⭐️
This app also has some interesting features for its users, like the Smart Speed feature that removes silent moments throughout the episodes or the Voice Boost to normalize the sound level of an entire episode. Go check it out !
Optimizing your podcast’s metadata—particularly titles and descriptions—is crucial for enhancing visibility on platforms like Apple Podcasts. Ausha’s study highlights that top-ranking podcasts strategically incorporate relevant keywords into their metadata to improve searchability and attract a wider audience.
By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your podcast’s discoverability, attract a broader audience, and improve your rankings on major podcast directories. Utilizing tools like Ausha’s PSO Control Panel can further streamline this process, providing insights to optimize your metadata effectively.
A podcast directory is a platform where listeners can discover, follow, and listen to podcasts. Directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube list podcasts using an RSS feed provided by a podcast hosting platform.
There is no single number, but being listed on the main podcast directories is essential. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon Music should be priorities, while other directories can help expand your reach depending on your audience.
No. Podcast directories do not host your audio files. Your podcast is hosted on a podcast hosting platform, which provides an RSS feed used by directories to display and distribute your episodes.
Podcast directories automatically pull your episodes from your RSS feed. Once your podcast is submitted and approved, new episodes appear automatically when they are published on your hosting platform.
Yes. Podcast directories rely on podcast titles, episode titles, descriptions, and categories to understand and recommend your podcast. Clear and well-written metadata helps improve visibility and discoverability.
Distributing your podcast across multiple directories is the first step to reaching a global audience, but true success lies in standing out once you’re there. By combining smart distribution with well-optimized metadata, you maximize both visibility and discoverability.
And remember: while the podcasting universe keeps expanding, you don’t have to navigate it alone. With tools like Ausha, you can streamline your publishing process, optimize your content for each platform, and focus on what matters most: creating great episodes your audience will love 🚀
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