The worldwide web is a big place and having your podcast on just your website will prevent you from growing an audience—or getting one in the first place.
This list is no longer complete or the best instructions. Visit my new site, Podcast Places™, to learn all the podcast apps, directories, and more where you and your podcast should be.
Before you submit
Remember to have your RSS feed properly setup and validated (warnings are usually okay). I recommend four important things.
- Don't use FeedBurner unless you do so with its MyBrand feature.
- Create a podcast-only RSS feed,
- Optimize your feed with your important podcast information in the RSS fields and iTunes fields.
- Title
- Talent/host name(s)
- Description
- Podcast cover art (1,400 × 1,400 pixels)
- RSS2 image (144 × 144 pixel edition of your podcast cover art)
- Categories
- Keywords (first seven are the most important)
- Clean, explicit, or standard tag
- Copyright
- Language
- High number of feed items (set by your feed generator: WordPress, PowerPress, or Posts Per Category plugin)
- Have a few podcast episodes already in your feed (Blubrry requires seven).
iTunes Store
While Apple and iTunes are accused of being a “walled garden,” their podcast directory is still the most popular.
- Create an Apple ID.
- Install iTunes on Windows or OS X.
- Run iTunes and navigate to iTunes Store > Podcasts > Submit Podcast.
- Enter your (podcast-only) RSS feed.
- Login with your Apple ID.
- Wait for approval.
Zune Marketplace
Although the Zune player is officially dead, there are still a lot out there and the Zune Marketplace is still alive for Microsoft's Windows Phone. I also suspect that Zune Marketplace will get more prominence with Windows 8.
- Email podcasts@microsoft.com with your (podcast-only) RSS feed.
BlackBerry Podcast
BlackBerry isn't dead yet, and it has a mature podcast directory. If your podcast is at all business-related, this directory should be a requirement.
- Create an account with RIM Podcast and login.
- Click Submit a New Podcast button.
- Enter your (podcast-only) RSS feed.
- Find someone who has a BlackBerry and have them check.
More information from Research in Motion (RIM).
Listener Rob Robideau wrote a great visual walkthrough to help submit podcasts to BlackBerry.
Miro Guide
Miro Player is a popular, free competitor to iTunes.
- Create an account with Miro Guide and login.
- Hover your mouse over your username in the upper-right corner and click Submit a Show.
- Enter your podcast information:
- podcast name and
- (podcast-only) RSS feed.
- Click I am the Creator.
- Wait for approval.
DoubleTwist
DoubleTwist is a popular, free competitor to iTunes. They even offer podcast streaming for free on mobile devices. It mirrors many of the podcasts from the iTunes directory, but there's now good submission process.
- Visit the contact form.
- Set the subject to “Request New Podcast.”
- Enter your information
- Your name
- Email address
- Podcast title
- (Podcast-only) RSS feed
Stitcher
Stitcher streams podcasts and other Internet radio for smartphones. This is a great workaround to some carriers' file size limits on single downloads.
Please use promo code “audacity” if you download Stitcher for yourself.
- Sign up as a Stitcher Partner.
- Include your podcast information:
- podcast titles and
- (podcast-only) RSS feeds
- Wait for approval.
BluBrry
Blubrry offers many wonderful services for podcasters, including a vast podcast directory that could even get you inside set-top boxes like Roku and Boxee.
- Have at least seven episodes in your feed.
- Create an account with Blubbry and login.
- Add your podcast and include your podcast information:
- podcast title,
- podcast keyword (for Blubrry tracking),
- category,
- (podcast-only) RSS feed, and
- website address.
- Wait for approval.
Want more podcast directories?
Podcast411 maintains a directory of podcast directories.
Jay Walsh has also researched and listed the top podcast directories.
Where is your podcast?
What podcast directories do you use and recommend? What are your stats like, if you can track them? Please discuss here in the comments!
Upcoming: privacy policies
You may not realize that you need a privacy policy or what it should contain. Or maybe you already have one and would like to share yours as an example.
An upcoming episode of The Audacity to Podcast™ will discuss privacy policies: why you need them and what they should cover.
Please retweet this post!
Use the social buttons or retweet the following.
https://twitter.com/#!/theRamenNoodle/status/171703409261551616
Need personalized podcasting help?
I no longer offer one-on-one consulting outside of Podcasters' Society, but request a consultant here and I'll connect you with someone I trust to help you launch or improve your podcast.
Ask your questions or share your feedback
- Comment on the shownotes
- Leave a voicemail at (903) 231-2221
- Email feedback@TheAudacitytoPodcast.com (audio files welcome)
Connect with me
- Subscribe to The Audacity to Podcast on Apple Podcasts or on Android.
- Join the Facebook Page and watch live podcasting Q&A on Mondays at 2pm (ET)
- Subscribe on YouTube for video reviews, Q&A, and more
- Follow @theDanielJLewis
Disclosure
This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship and may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
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Thank you for this valuable information. Much appreciated.
Great guide. Really enjoying your show. Keep up the great work.
~Kenn
Host of Podiorookie.com
Thanks, Kenn! I’m glad it has helped!
Fantastic guide! Thank you!
You’re welcome! What’s your podcast about?
My podcast is called “Creative Colony”. It’s mostly interviews with creatives who conquer their respective fields. It includes makeup artists, editors, musicians, etc. I’m in the process of starting my second podcast, “Creative Colony Blogs” that interviews top bloggers that have fun, non-business blogs. I’ll also be sharing blog and social media tips there.
I’ve been listening to you and a couple of other podcasts for over a year, in preparation for these projects. You’ve been BEYOND helpful. Thank you for everything!
That’s a great approach! A lot of blogging podcasts seem to focus on the marketing angle or highly professional/successful blogs, but not paying attention to the fun ones.
Thanks for this. I didn’t know anyone could use stitcher. I just started a variety podcast with a unique spin. I’m an atheist and my co-host is a Christian pastor. It’s called the Rumination Lounge. I just signed up for podfeed.com as well.
Yup! It’s easy to get on Stitcher and it’s a great place to be!
That sounds like it’ll be an interesting podcast!
Thanks so musch for this info. Hopefully this will help to increase our audience. Just posting to podbean and itunes alone is not cutting it.
Totally! Make sure you get in those mobile podcast apps, too. That’s where many mobile listeners are getting their podcasters.
Where can I find your information about privacy policies?
Hi, Nayt! We covered privacy policies for podcasters and bloggers in episode 79.
Thanks! Really enjoying your show and all the advice. I’ve been doing my show for 3 years now and learning every day. http://www.philnaessens.com
Thank you, Phil! I see you’re now in Stitcher. Did you join there after hearing this episode?
I believe I did….BTW congrats on the nominations….good luck
Just want to thank you for putting together this podcast and guide. I submitted my podcast to the 6 directories you mentioned.
You’re welcome, Darren! Welcome to the podcasting world!
[…] some major sites have emerged in addition to iTunes, and you can find out all about them at the Audacity Podcast. Here’s another fairly recent list of Podcasting […]
[…] some major sites have emerged in addition to iTunes, and you can find out all about them at the Audacity Podcast. Here’s another fairly recent list of Podcasting […]
[…] TAP069: Top Podcast Directories and How to Get in Them […]
An excellent guide. Thank you.
[…] some major sites have emerged in addition to iTunes, and you can find out all about them at the Audacity Podcast. Here’s another fairly recent list of Podcasting […]
[…] For more information on where to submit a podcast check out: Top Podcast Directories and How to Get in Them […]
[…] you’d like more details on how to submit your podcast to all the online directories read this helpful post on The Audacity To […]
Great post. I’ve used iTunes before, but I’m not at all happy with it really. Glad to know there are so many more options! 🙂
Why exactly do you not recommend using feedburner?
Thanks, Ryan!
FeedBurner is an unnecessary slowdown to your feed update process. It really has no benefits other than unreliable stats.
The only time FeedBurner is useful is when you’re already forfeiting ownership of your podcast and website by using a third-party service like Blogger, WordPress.com, SquareSpace, PodBean, etc. But even then, I would only recommend FeedBurner if you use the MyBrand feature and publish a feed URL you own, not feeds.feedburner.
Hmm, but I guess if you’ve already submitted your feedburner link to iTunes you’re kind of stuck with it, eh?
No, you’re not stuck. You can delete the feed in FeedBurner and it will place a permanent 301 redirect to your “original feed.”
If you do this, make sure you download your email subscribers list.
[…] there are business and article directories, there are also podcast directories. The iTunes is, no doubt, the most popular of them all and the first place you should submit your […]
[…] For more information on where to submit a podcast check out: Top Podcast Directories and How to Get in Them […]
I tend to find your blog for most podcast related searches, very informative post! Thanks
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you’ll also subscribe to the podcast.
It’s funny that so many call this a blog because I write such thorough show notes for my podcast episodes.
Thanks for the info! It helped me get my podcast launched
You’re welcome! Congratulations on the launch. What is your podcast about?
Thank you! My podcast is about how to get started as an entrepreneur in the Digital Economy.
http://bradkirschpodcast.com
Thank you so much for such a great post! You had me at “(Add an unnecessary and improper “at” to the end of this sentence, if you’re from the midwest USA. Yes, this is a personal pet peeve.)” I concur!
Ha ha! I forgot that I included that. It’s something I hear far too often around here. I also hear the T in “often” too much, too.
Blubrry is not a moderated podcast directory, you are immediately approved when you add your show to blubrry.com. The 7 episode requirement is for podcasts that want to be “Featured”. Featured has a few other requirements, basically you need artwork, a good show description and some episodes under your belt so we can feature your show on the home page and in Blubrry Apps.
Thank you for the clarification!
[…] in both iTunes and Stitcher along with other, smaller directories. The Audacity to Podcast has an older episode about which directories you should target. Use your own discretion. I don’t bother with the […]
[…] could try and do the legwork on this, but my friend Daniel has an amazing list of podcast directories. Also, if you’re into podcasting, his site, The Audacity to Podcast, has a lot of […]
Super helpful. Thanks for having this here…just finished the whole list!
Thank you, Joshua! I just launched a new site you may like that is this list on steroids! Check out http://PodcastPlaces.com
Nice! Very slick!
Instead of emailing support at doubleTwist, you can request podcasts to be added to the directory using the Contact page and the “Request New Podcast” option.
http://www.doubletwist.com/contact/
(Please be sure to use a RSS feed and not a website URL.)
Thanks.
Thanks for the update! I’ll update the post.
Great information. Thank you!
You’re welcome! Check out my new resource for even more: http://podcastplaces.com
This is a great resource,
thanks! Here is our new one named hvaclocal.com. We submit your industry
based business here and get you 100% complete profile to dominate your
local market.
[…] For more information on where to submit a podcast check out: Top Podcast Directories and How to Get in Them […]
[…] your podcast by also including relevant keywords in your title and description. Furthermore, the Audacity to Podcast suggests that you also include the names of the talent/host, category, language and already have […]
Thanks. But the Blackberry links are broken.
Please see the bold note at the top of the post:
This list is no longer complete or the best instructions. Visit my new site, Podcast Places™, to learn all the podcast apps, directories, and more where you and your podcast should be.
I just found a new Android app from Google Play, this app can subscribe iTunes podcasts via Android phone, anybody has other recommendations like this. Just change Android from iTunes, still want to browse iTunes top podcasts? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.podcast.podcasts
Check out the list at PodcastPlaces.com.
[…] Top Podcast Directories and How to Get in Them. – While Apple and iTunes are accused of being a “walled garden,” their podcast directory is still the most popular. Create an Apple ID. Install iTunes on Windows or … […]
[…] forget websites that are collections of particular article types, such as infographics (or podcasts, […]
[…] forget websites that are collections of particular article types, such as infographics (or podcasts, […]
would love an updated version of this, Daniel. E.G. does Blackberry still exist? Thanks 🙂
For MMA, I suggest http://mmapodcast.com which sends a lot of traffic to new podcasters.
There’s also more niches there such as BJJ, boxing, pro wrestling, yoga, deathsquad comedy, etc
For adding a new podcast: http://mmapodcast.com/add.html
[…] He has covered them in detail on his podcast and has also outlined it in detail in those shownotes. You can find that here, but here is a small peak of some platforms he […]
What an awesome guide. Many thanks for sharing! Great job!
[…] Top Podcast Directories (including & other than iTunes) and How to Get Listed […]
[…] is a broad category of strategies, in part because there are so many podcast discovery channels (aka podcast directories) to choose from. Out of all of them, iTunes is the most popular, but you’ll also need to consider […]
[…] is a broad category of strategies, in part because there are so many podcast discovery channels (aka podcast directories) to choose from. Out of all of them, iTunes is the most popular, but you’ll also need to consider […]
[…] is a broad category of strategies, in part because there are so many podcast discovery channels (aka podcast directories) to choose from. Out of all of them, iTunes is the most popular, but you’ll also need to consider […]
[…] is a broad category of strategies, in part because there are so many podcast discovery channels (aka podcast directories) to choose from. Out of all of them, iTunes is the most popular, but you’ll also need to consider […]
[…] Where do I begin with this one? Well, there are so many places that people who are searching for a podcast can find you. The most obvious places are podcast directories. Other places that are popular are iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Zune Marketplace, Blubrry, Soundcloud and many more. If you decide to use Blubrry as your podcast host then they can help you generate a podcast feed that will produce an RSS feed which you can then submit to all the many directories out there in the podcastsphere (is that even a word?). You can find out more step by step instructions here. […]
[…] responsabilidad, luego que hacemos un podcast, es específicamente subscribir el podcast a varios directorios, tales como iTunes. Seleccionas uno y agregas la entrada, contestas las preguntas, pones donde […]
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Very helpful, thanks for sharing.
By the way, what do you think of podcastgang.com as a podcast directory?
Your site is interesting, but I don’t see what makes it unique.
That’s a nice post. There’s a new podcast directory emerging in India which has a lot of regional and international content. They have content in over 15 languages and their recommendations are great. It’s Hubhopper. Since I’m in India, I would definitely go for them Do check them out and consider adding them if you liked them.