Spotify for Podcasters: How to Upload, Distribute & More

In recent years, podcasts have surged in popularity, becoming a favorite medium for sharing stories, knowledge, and entertainment. Among the platforms leading this podcasting revolution, Spotify stands out as a top choice for both creators and listeners. 🌍

Whether you’re looking to distribute your podcast, publish video podcasts, or simply explore the vast array of content available, Spotify offers a seamless and comprehensive experience. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about leveraging Spotify for your podcasting journey 📲

From distribution methods using Ausha or manually, to understanding key statistics, and mastering the art of engaging your audience, we’ve got you covered. Dive in and discover how to make the most of Spotify’s powerful platform for your podcasting success 🚀

In this article we will answer the following questions :

What is Spotify?

How to Distribute Your Podcast on Spotify

How to Publish Your Video Podcast on Spotify

How to Listen to a Podcast on Spotify

How to analyze your podcast on Spotify

What is Spotify?

Spotify is a leading digital music, podcast, and video streaming service that gives users access to millions of songs and a wide array of podcasts from around the world. Launched in 2008, Spotify has revolutionized the way we consume audio content, making it easier than ever to discover and enjoy new music and podcasts. 🎵

Today, Spotify boasts over 6 million podcast titles, making it one of the largest podcasting platforms globally. With more than 650 million active users, Spotify has a massive audience, making it a prime destination for podcasters looking to reach a broad and engaged listener base. 📊

One of the key reasons Spotify is such an important platform for podcasts is its seamless integration of music and podcast content. This allows users to easily switch between their favorite songs and podcasts without leaving the app. 🔄

In summary, Spotify is an essential platform for distributing your podcast and increasing your reach. Whether you’re a listener looking for your next favorite show or a creator aiming to share your voice with the world, Spotify is an indispensable listening platform. 🎧

How to Upload and Distribute Your Podcast on Spotify

Using Ausha

Distributing your podcast on Spotify with Ausha is incredibly simple and intuitive. Ausha streamlines the process, allowing you to get your podcast on Spotify with just one click. Here’s how to do it:

Sign Up and Upload Your Podcast: First, create an account on Ausha and upload your podcast episodes. Make sure you have at least one publicly visible, published episode. Draft or planned episodes won’t work for distribution. 🎙️
Navigate to Settings: Log in to your Ausha account and go to the main menu. Click on Settings to access the distribution options. ⚙️
Select Distribution: In the left-side vertical menu, click on Distribution. This will bring up the various platforms where you can distribute your podcast. 📡
Distribute to Spotify: Head to the Spotify box and click Distribute. A dialog box will appear asking, “Is your podcast already on Spotify?”. Select No if your podcast has never been distributed on Spotify before. 🔄
Confirm Distribution: After selecting No, confirm by clicking Distribute to Spotify. You will then see a URL for your show’s listen page on Spotify. Congratulations, your podcast is now on its way to Spotify listeners! 🚀
Wait for Processing: Sit tight while your podcast is being processed. This usually takes a few hours for your show and its first episodes to appear on Spotify. 🕒

Manually

If you prefer to distribute your podcast on Spotify manually, follow these steps to ensure your podcast reaches a broad audience:

Prepare Your Podcast RSS Feed: Ensure you have an RSS feed for your podcast. Most podcast hosting services provide an RSS feed, which contains all your episodes and metadata. 📡
Create a Spotify for Podcasters Account: Go to the Spotify for Podcasters website and create an account. This platform allows you to manage your podcast on Spotify and access valuable analytics. 📊
Submit Your RSS Feed: Once logged in, click on “Get Started” and submit your podcast’s RSS feed. Spotify will verify your feed and fetch your podcast details. 🔄
Verify Your Podcast: Spotify will send a verification email to the email address associated with your RSS feed. Click the verification link to confirm your podcast. ✅
Optimize Your Podcast: While waiting for approval, ensure your podcast metadata is optimized. Use relevant keywords in your podcast title, description, and episode titles to improve discoverability. 🔍
Confirmation and Analytics: After verification, your podcast will be available on Spotify. You can now access Spotify for Podcasters to view analytics and understand your audience better. 📈

How to Publish Your Video Podcast on Spotify

Video podcasts are a great opportunity for podcasters to engage with their audience in a dynamic way. With 79% of people reporting they have watched a video podcast according to Edison Research, it’s clear that video content is becoming increasingly popular. 🎥

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Publish a Video Podcast on Spotify

Publishing your video podcast on Spotify is straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

How to upload your video podcast If your Podcast is Hosted on Spotify

Step 1: Log into your Spotify for Podcasters account.
Step 2: If you manage multiple podcasts, select the appropriate podcast from the sidebar or from the “All podcasts” section.
Step 3: Find the episode you want to convert to a video episode and click the three dots next to it. 📂
Step 4: Click Upload video and choose the video file from your device.
Step 5: After the video uploads, you can preview the episode. Once satisfied, click Publish. 🚀
Confirmation: Spotify will send you an email notification once your episode is processed and ready. Your video episode will then be available on Spotify either instantly or at your scheduled time. 📱

How to upload your video podcast If Your Podcast is Hosted Elsewhere

Step 1: Log into your Spotify for Podcasters account. If you don’t have an account, you can create one on the Spotify for Podcasters website.
Step 2: Select the podcast you want to add a video episode to from the sidebar or “All podcasts” section.
Step 3: Locate the episode you want to convert to a video and click the three dots next to it. 📂
Step 4: Click Upload video and select the video file from your device. Ensure your video is in a supported format like MP4 and of good quality.
Step 5: Once the video uploads, preview the episode to ensure everything looks good, then click Publish. After the video is verified, it will be live on Spotify.
- Videos uploaded through Spotify for Podcasters will be available to your audience exclusively on the Spotify apps and web player 📱

Creating a successful video podcast doesn’t require high-end equipment. Start with what you have: many podcasters use their smartphones, which can provide excellent video quality. However make sure to prioritize sound quality, even if the podcast is a video it is still a podcast !

How to Listen to a Podcast on Spotify

With 71% of weekly podcast listeners tuning in on their mobile devices according to a study from CSA/Havas Paris (2023), it’s clear that smartphones are the go-to for podcast consumption. This guide will focus on how to find and listen to podcasts on Spotify using your mobile device. 📱

Finding Podcasts on Spotify

Open the Spotify App: Download and open the Spotify app on your smartphone. 📱
Navigate to the Search Tab: Tap on the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen to open the Search tab. 🔍
Explore Podcasts: In the Search tab, you can type in the word “podcasts” to see popular podcasts or enter the name of a specific podcast you’re looking for.
Browse Podcast Categories: Scroll down in the Search tab and you’ll see a section called “Podcasts” with various categories like True Crime, Comedy, News, and more. This is a great way to discover new and interesting podcasts. 📚

Listening to a Podcast on Spotify

Select a Podcast: Once you find a podcast you’re interested in, tap on its title to go to the podcast’s page. 🎙️
Choose an Episode: Browse through the list of episodes and tap on one to start listening. The episode will begin playing immediately. ▶️
Use Playback Controls: You can play, pause, skip, or rewind using the playback controls at the bottom of the screen. Adjust the volume to your liking. 🎚️

Creating Playlists and Subscribing

Create a Playlist: To create a playlist of your favorite episodes, tap the three dots next to an episode and select “Add to Playlist.” You can create a new playlist or add to an existing one. 📂
Tap FOLLOW: On the podcast page, tap the FOLLOW button to save the podcast to Your Library. This ensures you never miss a new episode and makes it easy to find your favorite podcasts. 🌟
Download for Offline Listening: If you want to listen to podcasts without using data, download episodes by tapping the download arrow next to the episode. This is perfect for when you’re on the go. 🚗

With these simple steps, you’ll be enjoying podcasts on Spotify in no time. Happy listening! 🎉

How to Analyze your podcast on Spotify

Analyzing your podcast statistics on Spotify is crucial for understanding your audience and optimizing your content. With Spotify for Podcasters, you have access to a wealth of data that can help you grow your listener base and enhance engagement. Whether your podcast is hosted on Spotify or elsewhere, you can still access these insights. 📊

Accessing Spotify Podcast Stats

Log In to Spotify for Podcasters: Go to the Spotify for Podcasters website and log in with your account credentials. If you don’t have an account, you can create one quickly. 📱💻
Navigate to Your Dashboard: After logging in, you’ll be directed to your dashboard where all your podcasts are listed. Click on the cover art of the podcast you want to view statistics for. 🎙️
View Key Metrics: On the podcast’s analytics page, you’ll find several key metrics that provide insights into your podcast’s performance. Here are the main statistics available:

Key Metrics on Spotify for Podcasters

Listeners: This metric shows the number of unique users who started an episode from your catalog. It helps you understand the reach of your podcast. 🌍
Followers: Followers are listeners who have hit the follow button on your podcast. This indicates your loyal audience who are more likely to engage with new episodes as they are released. 🌟
Starts: Starts count any listener who clicks on an episode, regardless of how long they listen. This metric gauges initial interest in your episodes. 🎧
Streams: Streams are counted when an episode is listened to for more than 60 seconds. This indicates deeper engagement with your content. ⏱️
Demographics: Spotify provides demographic data such as age, gender, and location of your listeners. This information helps tailor your content to better suit your audience’s preferences. 🌐
Episode Comparison: Compare the performance of different episodes to see which topics, formats, or guests resonate most with your audience. This guides your future content planning. 📈

For more detailed information on how to access and analyze your podcast stats, check out our comprehensive guide here. 🧐

Conclusion

Spotify is an indispensable listening platform for podcasters, offering vast reach and essential tools to connect with a global audience. As one of the top players in the audio media industry, distributing your podcast on Spotify is a must. With Ausha, we’ve made this process super easy, allowing you to focus on creating great content 🚀