The essential guide to getting your podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Google, and 20+ other directories
Your podcast is only as successful as its reach. Producing excellent audio content that lives only on your website is like opening a restaurant in an alley with no signs — the quality is irrelevant if nobody can find it. Podcast distribution is the process of making your show available on the platforms where your potential audience already spends time.
In 2026, there are over 30 major podcast directories and listening platforms, ranging from global giants like Apple Podcasts to regional platforms popular in specific countries. Submitting to every relevant platform maximizes your discoverability and ensures you are not leaving listeners on the table.
The good news is that podcast distribution is built on a single technology — the RSS feed. Once your podcast host generates a standard RSS feed, you can submit that feed URL to any directory that supports RSS-based subscriptions, and new episodes will automatically appear on those platforms within hours of publishing.
These five platforms should be your absolute priority. Together, they account for the vast majority of all podcast listening worldwide, and every serious podcaster must have a presence on each of them.
The #1 platform by listener count and industry influence
Apple Podcasts remains the single most important platform for podcast discovery. It is the default player for all iOS and macOS devices, and many listeners who discover a show on another platform still subscribe through Apple. Your show's Apple Podcasts listing is also the most common "social proof" reference in podcast reviews and guest booking conversations.
How to submit: Create a free Apple Developer account at developer.apple.com, then use Apple Podcasts Connect to submit your podcast's RSS feed. Review typically takes 24-72 hours.
The fastest-growing major platform, now the top podcast listening app in many markets
Spotify has invested billions in podcast content and technology, acquiring Anchor, Gimlet Media, and Chartable. Their podcast analytics for creators are among the best in the industry, and Spotify's recommendation algorithm has become a genuine discovery engine for independent podcasters.
How to submit: Sign up for Spotify for Podcasters at podcasters.spotify.com, verify ownership of your podcast's RSS feed, and Spotify will automatically pull your episodes going forward.
Key feature: Spotify's audience insights dashboard shows listener demographics, geographic distribution, and which episodes perform best.
Over 200 million Prime members means massive untapped audience
Amazon Music has aggressively expanded into podcasting, and Audible now features podcasts alongside audiobooks. Given Prime membership penetration exceeds 70% of US households, the audience potential is enormous — yet many podcasters overlook this platform entirely.
How to submit: Submit directly through Amazon Music's podcast submission portal or use a hosting provider that offers automatic Amazon distribution.
Critical for Android users and Google search integration
Google Podcasts was sunsetted in 2024, but its directory functionality lives on within YouTube Music. Submitting your RSS feed here ensures your podcast is discoverable to Android users, and YouTube is now the world's second-largest search engine — meaning your audio content can appear in both audio and video search results.
How to submit: Submit through Google Podcasts Manager at podcastsmanager.google.com and YouTube Music simultaneously.
One of the largest radio and audio networks with 160 million monthly listeners
iHeartRadio distributes content across its radio station ecosystem and standalone podcast app. The platform is particularly strong in the United States and offers promotional opportunities for high-performing shows through its radio station cross-promotion.
How to submit: Submit your RSS feed through iHeartRadio's podcast submission page at iheart.com/podcasts.
Beyond the five major platforms, these directories expand your reach to specific audience segments and geographic regions. Most require only an RSS feed submission and no additional fees.
| Platform | Strength | Key Feature | Submit URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stitcher | US, Canada | Drama and fiction podcasts | stitcher.com/podcasters |
| TuneIn | Global, strong in US | GPS and car integration | tunein.com/podcasters |
| Pocket Casts | Global, power users | Excellent player features | pocketcasts.com/submit |
| Overcast | Global, iOS users | Popular among enthusiasts | overcast.fm/podcasts |
| Castbox | Global, APAC strong | Built-in transcripts | castbox.fm/podcaster |
| Deezer | Europe, Latin America | Strong in France/Brazil | deezer.com/podcasters |
| Podcast Addict | Android users | #1 Android podcast app | pocketcasts.com/submit |
| Player FM | Global | Web-based player | player.fm/podcasters |
Understanding RSS feeds is fundamental to managing your podcast distribution correctly. RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication" — it is a standardized XML format that allows content (in this case, your podcast episodes) to be automatically detected and pulled by any platform that subscribes to your feed.
Your podcast hosting provider (such as Transistor, Podbean, Libsyn, or Anchor) generates and hosts your RSS feed. Every time you publish a new episode, your host automatically updates your feed with the new episode metadata — title, description, audio file URL, duration, and artwork. All subscribed directories periodically check your feed (typically every 30-60 minutes) and automatically add new episodes to their listings.
This means your distribution is automatic once you submit your feed URL. You never need to manually upload episodes to Apple, Spotify, or any other platform — your hosting provider handles the technical distribution through the RSS feed, and the directories pull from it.
Podcast aggregators are services that take your single RSS feed and distribute it to multiple directories on your behalf. They are the most efficient way to manage broad distribution without manually submitting to each platform individually.
| Aggregator | Platforms Reached | Price | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| SubmitHub | 25+ directories | Free / $5/mo for fast review | One-click multi-platform submit |
| Feedburner | Google-adjacent platforms | Free | Industry standard, reliable |
| Podbean | Built-in, 20+ platforms | Included with hosting | All-in-one hosting + distribution |
| Libsyn | Built-in, 20+ platforms | Included with hosting | Oldest and most trusted host |
| Transistor | Built-in, 20+ platforms | Included with hosting | Excellent analytics + team features |
Before you publish your first episode, make sure you have completed these distribution steps to ensure maximum reach from day one.
Q: Do I need to pay to distribute my podcast?
A: The directories themselves are free to submit to. However, you do need to pay for podcast hosting to generate and serve your RSS feed. Quality hosting plans start around $5-12/month. The hosting cost is unavoidable and worthwhile — free hosting on platforms like Anchor or Buzzsprout is fine to start, but as your show grows, a paid host gives you more control, better analytics, and portability.
Q: How long does it take for my podcast to appear on platforms after I submit?
A: Apple Podcasts typically takes 24-72 hours for initial review. Spotify usually processes submissions within a few hours. Most other platforms refresh from your RSS feed automatically every 30-60 minutes once your feed is verified. Budget at least 48-72 hours for a full initial distribution before expecting your show to appear everywhere.
Q: Can I distribute video podcasts too?
A: Yes. YouTube is the dominant platform for video podcasts. You can submit your audio RSS feed to YouTube Music and also upload video versions directly to YouTube as companion content. Platforms like Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts have begun supporting video podcast formats as well, though audio-only remains the dominant format in most niches.
Q: What happens if I change my podcast hosting provider?
A: If your new host supports URL redirection (most quality hosts do), you can keep your existing RSS feed URL and simply redirect it to your new host's feed. This preserves all your subscribers on every platform — they will never know you switched hosts. If you switch to a host that does not support redirection and you must change your feed URL, you will need to submit a new feed URL update to every platform, and some percentage of your subscribers will be lost in the transition.
Q: Should I use an aggregator service or submit directly?
A: For the five major platforms (Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube, iHeartRadio), submit directly so you can manage your listing, respond to reviews, and access creator analytics. For secondary platforms, a free aggregator like SubmitHub is the most efficient approach.