Your podcast's RSS feed is its backbone. It's the invisible pipeline that delivers every episode to every listener on every platform. Understanding how RSS feeds work, how to submit them correctly, and how to troubleshoot common problems will save you hours of frustration — and ensure your show reaches the maximum possible audience.
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. In podcasting, your RSS feed is an XML file hosted by your podcasting platform that contains metadata about every episode: the title, description, audio file URL, duration, publication date, artwork, and more. When you publish a new episode, your host updates your RSS feed automatically, and every podcast directory that has your feed subscribed then pulls that new episode to their platform.
Think of your RSS feed as a continuously updated bookshelf. Your hosting platform adds new books (episodes), and every library (podcast directory) that has your shelf's address checks it regularly for new additions.
Your podcast RSS feed includes both channel-level information (about your show overall) and item-level information (about each individual episode):
There are now more than a dozen major platforms where listeners discover podcasts. Submitting your RSS feed to each directory maximizes your discoverability. Here's a breakdown of the most important platforms:
Apple Podcasts remains the largest single podcast platform by audience reach, especially in North America. All podcasters with an Apple ID can submit through Apple Podcasts Connect. Approval typically takes 24 to 72 hours, and Apple requires an active RSS feed with at least one published episode.
Submission URL: podcastsconnect.apple.com
Spotify is the fastest-growing podcast platform and has invested heavily in podcast discovery. Podcasters can submit directly through Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor). The platform also actively promotes shows through its editorial playlists and personalized recommendation algorithms.
Submission URL: podcasters.spotify.com
Amazon Music now includes a robust podcast section and reaches users through Alexa devices, the Amazon Music app, and Audible. Amazon acquired Wondery in 2020 and has been expanding its podcast investment. Submitting here captures listeners who discover podcasts through voice assistants.
Submission URL: podcasters.amazon.com
Google Podcasts was sunset in 2024, with Google migrating podcast listeners to YouTube Music. As of 2026, YouTube Music is now a significant podcast discovery platform, particularly for younger demographics. Submit your RSS feed directly through YouTube Studio's podcast integration.
Submission URL: studio.youtube.com
iHeartRadio has a substantial podcast audience and strong radio crossover appeal. iHeartRadio's directory submission is less automated than Apple or Spotify — you may need to request an account through their podcast partnership team.
Submission URL: iheartpodcastnetwork.com
After Stitcher's acquisition by Sirius XM, the combined platform offers both on-demand podcast listening and live radio content. While Stitcher's standalone app has been less prominent since the acquisition, Sirius XM reaches millions of subscribers in vehicles and homes.
These are popular third-party apps used by more technically engaged listeners. Most aggregate from your main Apple/Spotify/Amazon listings, but you can also submit directly to Pocket Casts' directory for better visibility in their curated lists.
Most modern podcast hosts (Buzzsprout, Transistor, Podbean, and Libsyn) offer one-click automatic distribution to all major directories as part of their service. If your host doesn't offer this, follow the manual steps below:
podcastsconnect.apple.com with your Apple IDpodcasters.spotify.com and sign up for a free accountThis is the most common issue podcasters face. Apple Podcasts caches your RSS feed and checks for updates on its own schedule — typically every few hours, but sometimes up to 24 hours for less active shows. To force a refresh:
<pubDate> is set to a time in the past or immediate present — future-dated episodes won't appear until that date arrivescastfeedvalidator.comApple Podcasts requires artwork to be at least 1400×1400 pixels and in JPEG or PNG format. Spotify requires 400×400 minimum. Your host should generate these automatically from your uploaded artwork, but if you're hosting manually, use an image editor to ensure your dimensions meet both specifications.
If episodes appear twice in Apple Podcasts or Spotify, it typically means you submitted the feed to the directory twice under different accounts, or your hosting platform automatically submitted to a directory where you had already manually submitted. Contact the directory's support team to merge or remove the duplicate listing.
| Platform | Market Share (Est.) | Submission Method | Discovery Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Podcasts | ~25% | Apple Podcasts Connect | Search, editorial picks |
| Spotify | ~22% | Spotify for Podcasters | Algorithmic recommendations |
| Amazon Music | ~10% | Amazon Podcast Portal | Alexa voice discovery |
| YouTube Music | ~12% | YouTube Studio | Video podcast, algorithm |
| iHeartRadio | ~6% | Manual / partnership | Radio crossover |
| Stitcher/Sirius | ~4% | Email/pitch | Curated lists |
| Pocket Casts | ~3% | Direct submission | Advanced filters |
| Others | ~18% | Varies | Mixed |
Beyond public distribution, RSS feeds can be used for private podcasts — password-protected shows distributed to a specific audience. This is commonly used for:
Private podcast feeds work by embedding authentication credentials in the feed URL itself. Services like Transistor, Simplecast, and FeedPress offer private podcasting built into their hosting plans.
podcastvalidator.com or Apple Podcasts Connect's feed validator to catch errors before they cause distribution problems.