Directory checklist so your show is discoverable everywhere listeners are.
Submitting to Apple Podcasts is table stakes, but a full directory rollout makes your show easier to discover everywhere listeners spend time. Use this 2023 checklist to ensure your RSS feed lands in every relevant catalog.
Priority directories
Apple Podcasts: still the primary indexer for the entire ecosystem; upload artwork in all sizes.
Spotify: massive share of mobile listening plus video support; connect your Spotify for Podcasters account for extra analytics.
Google Podcasts / YouTube Music: auto-ingests RSS feeds; verify ownership in Google Podcasts Manager.
Amazon Music & Audible: growing smart-speaker footprint; expect approval within 24 hours.
Stitcher, Pocket Casts, Overcast: loyal power-user communities; update show notes formatting to render nicely.
Submission tips
Use a custom domain for your RSS feed (podcast.yoursite.com) so you can migrate hosts without reapplying.
Check artwork specs: 3000x3000 px, under 500KB, RGB, no promotional text.
Write platform-specific descriptions—Apple truncates at ~200 characters, Spotify at ~190.
Monitor each dashboard for validation errors (mismatched HTTPS, invalid characters, etc.).
International directories
Gaana, JioSaavn (India), Deezer (EU), iVoox (Latin America)—worth the extra forms if you serve global audiences.
Work with your hosting provider’s syndication team; many maintain direct API connections for these catalogs.
Maintenance
Revalidate your feed quarterly to confirm HTTPS certificates and redirects still pass.
Update category tags annually to match new Apple/Spotify taxonomy.
Keep a spreadsheet logging submission dates, owner emails, and support links for each directory.
The broader your directory coverage, the easier it is for new listeners to stumble across your show—and the more reliable your analytics become. Treat syndication as an annual maintenance task, not a one-time checkbox.
