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 ! 💪
Quick answer: The best podcast directories in 2026 are Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube, the three largest by audience, followed by Amazon Music, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, TuneIn, Pandora, Podchaser, Listen Notes, Podcast Index, iHeartRadio, Player FM, Castbox, and Overcast. You submit your podcast to each one by sending your RSS feed, and most pull new episodes automatically after approval.
📖 What is a podcast directory?
A podcast directory is a platform that indexes and distributes podcast shows using an RSS feed. Unlike a podcast hosting platform (which stores your audio files), a directory makes your episodes searchable and streamable for listeners. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube are the three largest podcast directories in 2026.
| # | 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? (For context on how Apple Podcasts rankings actually work, read our complete guide to Apple Podcasts charts.)
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, especially if you climb the Apple Podcasts charts!
Spotify has become the world’s most-used podcast platform, with over 640 million monthly active users across music and podcasts combined. According to Spotify’s own data, more than 100 million people tune into podcasts on Spotify every month — making it essential for any podcaster aiming for scale.
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 out our complete Spotify guide (audio & video) or our tips on getting featured by Spotify’s editorial team.
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. For a complete walkthrough, check out our YouTube podcast best practices guide.
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 around 55 million subscribers worldwide and distributes podcasts across several access points: Amazon Alexa smart speakers, the Amazon Music app, and the Audible app. This multi-device reach makes it valuable for capturing listeners who consume audio hands-free.
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?
These next directories are smaller in raw audience size — but don’t underestimate them. Depending on your niche and target listeners, they can drive highly engaged, loyal subscribers that the big platforms miss entirely.
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 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.
Player FM is a cross-platform app available on both iOS and Android, with a clean interface that syncs your listening queue across devices via cloud technology.
Its cloud sync means your listening queue follows you from phone to tablet without missing a beat, handy for commuters who switch devices. Once your feed is submitted, episodes appear automatically. ☁️
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 metadata, titles, descriptions, and categories, is one of the highest-leverage actions you can take on any podcast directory. Ausha’s ranking study on Apple Podcasts found that podcasts appearing in the top 10 results used their primary keyword an average of 5 times in episode titles, boosting their position by roughly 7 places compared to shows that didn’t. That’s not a marginal gain, it’s the difference between page one and page two.
This isn’t guesswork: Ausha analyzed thousands of episodes across Apple Podcasts to identify exactly which metadata factors move rankings, and the findings below come directly from that study. Podcast Search Optimization (PSO), the discipline of optimizing metadata for directory search, is the framework Ausha built its tooling around.
Do this consistently and you’ll climb the rankings on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other directories where search drives most discovery. Ausha’s PSO Control Panel automates the tedious parts, keyword tracking and benchmarking, and if you want to go deeper, our guide on building a complete Podcast SEO system covers keyword tracking, competitor benchmarking, and more.
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.
Apple Podcasts and Spotify are the two best podcast directories in 2026 for reach, with Spotify counting over 640 million monthly active users and Apple Podcasts around 28 million monthly listeners. YouTube ranks third and is the fastest-growing, thanks to its video format and recommendation engine.
Yes. Submitting your podcast to directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube is free. You only pay for a podcast hosting platform, which generates the RSS feed that directories use to distribute your episodes.
Getting listed on every major podcast directory is table stakes in 2026 — but it’s not what separates growing shows from stagnant ones. The podcasts that win are the ones that treat their metadata like a product: tested, refined, and updated regularly. Start with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Then work your way through the list.
You don’t have to manage all 15 directories manually. With Ausha, you publish once and your episodes distribute automatically to every major directory, while the PSO Control Panel tracks your keyword rankings — so you can spend your time on what actually grows a show: making episodes people want to share. 🚀
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