How to Get Your Show Featured on Podcast Apps
"This article is being reprinted with permission of the author,Morgan Swift (LinkedIn and Twitter/X). It was originally published on Podglomerate.com and you can view the original article here How to Get Your Show Featured on Podcast Apps.
Author: Morgan Swift
We’ve all seen it while scrolling through our favorite podcast apps. A banner highlighting a new season of a cult show. A collection of ten podcasts perfect for your upcoming road trip. A list of episodes to download to help you celebrate Pride Month.
These “discovery” sections are often timely, relevant, and hard to miss for listeners browsing the podcast apps. So how do you get your own show featured on podcast apps like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and beyond?
While some of these podcast app features are algorithmic (meaning they are built specifically for you based on your listening history or populated directly from the top charts to feature shows that are trending among all listeners), many of them are curated by editors at each respective app.
Read on for our top tips on unlocking these podcast app features and helping new listeners discover your show:
Add Your RSS Feed to All Major Podcast Apps
If you want to get features on podcast apps, you need to first make sure that your podcast’s RSS feed is available on all major podcast apps. Luckily, The Podglomerate has an helpful guide for where and how to easily add your show to some of the biggest podcast apps (including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pocket Casts, and more).
Build Relationships with Podcast App Editors
Establishing and nurturing relationships with podcast app editors can significantly increase your chances of being featured. Start by identifying the key contacts at the major podcast apps and reach out to introduce yourself and your show.
At The Podglomerate, we always recommend personalized pitches. Editors at the podcast apps are busy people! It’s important to show you understand their curation style and audience preferences. Instead of a generic email, highlight how your podcast aligns with their curated collections. Explain why it would be a great addition.
Remember, podcast app editors are always looking for high-quality content that resonates with their listeners. Establishing a professional relationship can make a significant difference.
Mark Your Calendar For Ad Opportunities
Start by identifying opportunities to pitch your podcast based on timely and relevant cultural events and holidays. It may be helpful to keep a calendar of major holidays, observances, and cultural events that align with your podcast’s themes. Regularly scan news outlets, social media trends, and industry-specific happenings to spot emerging topics and conversations. For instance, if your podcast focuses on wellness, capitalizing on New Year’s resolutions in January or Mental Health Awareness Month in May is a natural fit.
The editors at your favorite apps are likely already planning collections around these cultural moments, so suggestions are often welcome and sharing a specific and timely pitch is a great way to make your show stand out among thousands of others.
Share Big News via Press Releases
It’s crucial to share significant updates about your podcast with apps, ensuring that each announcement truly stands out. Focus on important milestones such as episodes featuring high-profile guests, the launch of a new season, or the introduction of captivating new podcast art. These types of updates are more likely to capture the attention of app curators and listeners alike, enhancing your podcast’s visibility and appeal.
Additionally, by focusing on substantial, newsworthy developments, you avoid overwhelming platforms with frequent, less impactful updates. Since app curators can receive hundreds of pitches a day, they’ll certainly appreciate it.
Measure Your Podcast App Feature Results
Understanding the impact of app features on your podcast’s growth is essential, even though the results may not be immediately measurable. Podcast app features are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to sustainably growing your show over time. To gauge their effectiveness, it’s important to monitor your podcast’s performance before, during, and after being featured.
Start by taking a look at key metrics such as download numbers. The analytics section of each hosting platform will have a section labeled “technology report” or even “apps and browsers”. This feature will break down your listenership by app and should allow you to filter by specific dates. Becoming familiar with this information will allow you to identify significant spikes and trends on each platform.
If you don’t immediately see a large spike in downloads, don’t be discouraged. Remember that podcast app features are a valuable tool in your growth strategy, but they should be complemented by consistent, high-quality content and engagement with your audience across various platforms. Time, consistency, and diversity of promotion are the keys to long-term growth – not one single feature on a top podcast app.
Morgan Swift, (LinkedIn and Twitter/X)
Morgan Swift is Senior Marketing Manager at The Podglomerate, where she has helped employ audience development strategies for acclaimed clients including New Hampshire Public Radio's Bear Brook (named the best true crime podcast by Stephen King) and The 13th Step (named a finalist for the 2024 duPont-Columbia University Awards and featured as a “best podcast of 2023” by The New Yorker, Vogue, and Vulture), as well as chart-topping shows from Harvard Business School, The Boston Globe, NPR member stations, and more.