Spotify has recently rolled out a rebranded podcast platform/tool for creators that is now called Spotify for Podcasters. Whether you’re about to start a new podcast or you are podcasting for a while, Spotify is among the first places you’ll think about submitting your podcast to. Starting as a music-streaming service, Spotify has really emerged as one of the top podcast companies in the past few years. They’ve acquired several content and tech companies around podcasting and now – their new platform for podcasters is here. The podcasting platform that was once called Anchor.fm (a company acquired by Spotify) is now known as Spotify for Podcasters, and it got the same, well-loved set of features.
Even before the Spotify acquisition, Anchor was the top hosting preference for podcasters. Nowadays, it still runs over 50% of the public podcasts. Spotify powers almost 2 million podcasts, and it’s a service Spotify offers for free. (And if we talk about listener-usage rather than hosting, Spotify and Apple Podcasts are in a close fight for the #1 spot)
If you’ve used Anchor.fm in the past, or want to start a podcast and host it for free. Spotify for Podcasters is a popular choice. You can easily create a new show or import your Anchor podcast, and even find a few ways to monetize your show.
In this article, we’ll review Spotify for Podcasters as a platform. We’ll guide you through the process of creating a new podcast on Spotify, uploading an existing podcast to Spotify, and creating a full website for your Spotify podcast.
How to Start A Podcast on Spotify for Podcasters
If you already have a podcast, or you’re ready to start one – uploading it to Spotify is a great idea. As one of the most popular platforms, you’ll be exposed to millions of new potential listeners. If you’re just getting started with podcasting, you can learn more from some of our previous articles –
- What is a podcast and how do they work?
- What is a podcast RSS feed?
- How to choose the perfect podcast name?
- What gear is needed for starting a podcast?
- How to record a podcast?
- How to create great podcast show notes?
- Podcast SEO: the ultimate guide
- How to find new podcast topics and ideas?
You can record & edit episodes directly on the Spotify for Podcasters app. This makes it super convenient for getting started – barriers of entry are lower than ever before.
We always recommend to use a proper external microphone rather than relying on your smartphone or laptop built-in recording. It would sound much better. There are decent mics that are selling for less than $100 if you don’t want to invest too much.
Some small things still may be improved in the future with Spotify for Podcasters. The podcast RSS feeds URLs are still using the Anchor.fm domain, and it’s actually uncertain if they’d opt to ever change that to the Spotify.com domain (affecting millions of podcasts with subscribers etc.). They added video podcasting support and we’re sure they’ll add additional futures over the next months and years.
Now that you have all the info you need, let’s get started with creating your podcast on Spotify!
1) Get your Spotify for Podcasters account
If you don’t have an account with Spotify for Podcasters, now is the time to get one. When you create your account, you’ll be given 3 different choices. Either start a new podcast from scratch, connect an existing podcast from another host (it can be from Anchor.fm, Megaphone, or any other podcast host), or switch your podcast hosting to Spotify.
You don’t have to use Spotify/Anchor to host your actual show, though. If you’re already hosting elsewhere, you’d be able to just sign up and manage your podcast on Spotify without having to upload new episodes manually on Spotify. (you’ll do that via your current podcast hosting provider).
However, if you do choose to use Spotify for hosting (by either starting a new podcast or switching your hosting), you’ll be essentially managing your podcast RSS feed directly via the Spotify for Podcasters app. Other podcast platforms could be then updated based on the feed generated by Spotify.
For the sake of this article, we’ll continue the signup process with the “starting a new podcast” option, but all 3 method would lead you eventually to the same dashboard. (either with or without the ability to create new episodes directly)
2) Add your podcast info and your first episode
This step only applies if you start a new podcast. If you’re importing an existing podcast to Spotify or staying with a different podcast hosting provider, you can skip this step.
When you get your account and choose to start a new podcast, Spotify would ask you to fill in general information about your podcast –
Once you do that, you’ll be able to add your first episode (or better yet, a first batch of 3-5 episodes that you’ve already recorded and edited. After adding one or a few episodes, you’ll find all episodes under the “Episodes” link –
When you add more episodes, you’ll see a few options to add polls and Q&As for each episode. If you do that – remember that those only appear on the Spotify app and not elsewhere.
3) Enable your RSS Feed
This is one of the most important steps so pay attention. By default, Spotify for Podcasters is no longer generating RSS feeds for you. (unlike how it used to work on Anchor.fm)
This means that your podcast by default would only be available on Spotify. This is quite bad because people who rely on other apps to consume podcasts won’t be able to find your show. If you really want to get more listeners and grow your show – it’s key that you publish your podcast on as many platforms as possible. (Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, YouTube, Player FM, Podcast Addict, your own website – just to name a few)
You really don’t want to rely on just one platform for podcast distribution, so having your own feed and submitting that feed to several other platforms can really help grow your show down the road.
If you already have your podcast RSS feed URL from a different host – you can find here the URL of your show on the Spotify app (typically looks like this – open.spotify.com/show/12345). Copy this URL and share as a subscribe button if you want people to subscribe on Spotify.
If you don’t have a feed yet, it’s now time to enable it. In order to enable your RSS feed, click on the “Enable RSS Feed” button under your “Podcast Availability” screen –
Note that on this screen, you can also find your Spotify URL (your podcast’s page on the Spotify app) and the URL on Spotify for Podcasters (a very basic landing page for your podcast). Once you click on “Enable” – the RSS feed URL would appear right below. You can copy that URL and submit it to different platforms.
After you enable the RSS feed, you’ll find instructions below to submit your show on a bunch of different platforms –
4) You’re all set! Time to work on new episodes.
Now that your podcast is created and your first few episodes are published, it’s easy to start adding more episodes, or update your podcast information a little further –
Note – If you imported an exiting podcast to Spotify for Podcasters, you may want to set up a redirect on your old host and make sure it goes to your Spotify RSS feed (also make sure the feed is enabled as mentioned above). You should be able to find all your episodes and podcast information exactly as they were on your previous podcast host.
Note for podcasts hosted elsewhere – If your show is already hosted with a different provider and you’re not planning to move it to Spotify – that’s perfectly fine. You’d still want to set up your account and link your podcast – that should give you access to analytics of your show based on activity on the Spotify app. You won’t necessarily manage your episodes or podcast information directly on Spotify for Podcasters, but it’s still worth to connect your show.
Monetization options on Spotify for Podcasters
Spotify for Podcasters offers several podcast monetization options. They offer podcast subscriptions, donations, and ad-based revenue streams. Fees range from 5.5% on subscriptions (+ a 0.8% foreign currency fee) up to around 30% on ads.
To get your show eligible and start monetizing your podcast, you’ll have to add at least 2 episodes –
Depending on your stats/analytics and number of episodes, you may see different options for monetization. If you choose to run a subscription model – you’d have to connect your Stripe account and set up the different plans and pricing for your show.
You can make the whole podcast “Premium” or just set a few episodes as private/premium only.
If you want more flexibility around monetization, we recommend that you create your own website. You’ll have much more credibility with a custom domain matching your podcast or brand. With a website, it’d be easy to display ads, collect donations, subscriptions, sell merch, and much more. You can read about why a website is key for success in podcasting here.
Why is Spotify for Podcasters so popular?
Well, there are a few reasons that make Spotify for Podcasters (or previously Anchor.fm) the most popular publishing tool for podcasters. First off, it’s completely free to use. Additionally, you can record episodes directly on their apps (web/mobile) and easily publish your show on Spotify.
It’s quite obvious that you want to post your podcast to Spotify. It’s among the most popular platforms among podcast listeners. Statistics show that it’s even more popular than Apple Podcasts in the USA (2022). It’s hard to compete with such a massive user-base. (hundreds-of) Millions are using Spotify as their go-to app for podcasting.
Regardless of where you host your podcast and what your podcast goals are – it makes too much sense – you must get it on Spotify. That aside, don’t overlook the other platforms. We strongly recommend that you list your show on as many platforms as possible.
Do I have to use Spotify for Podcasters to submit my show on Spotify?
Not really – if you don’t want to deal with Spotify for Podcasters and manage your own account/podcast on their platform – you can rely on a 3rd party podcast hosting provider. Many providers would help you submit the show to Spotify for you.
How to create a website for your Spotify-hosted Podcast?
Many podcasters who run a podcast on Spotify for Podcasters / Anchor or any other podcast hosting provider choose to set up a separate website for their podcast.
A podcast website can help podcasters in so many different ways. From spreading the word to growing your show and monetizing it – a website is key.
Why should you consider creating a website for your show?
Here are a few important benefits you’d get from building a website for your show –
- Your own space on the internet – if you have your own domain, with your own content and branding – it’d add a ton of credibility to your podcast and/or brand name. Relying on 3rd party platforms to really promote your show is a little unlikely. When you have your own website, you own all the content and have control over the way it is presented. You have more flexibility over the layout, colors, content and visitors who check out your site.
- A direct communication channel with listeners – besides showing your episodes somewhere, your site would enable you to also have more engagement with your audience. You’d be able to collect email addresses, get visitors submit a voice message, send you a message via a contact form, or submit a review to your show. You can even add a comment section on each episode.
- More than just audio – While Spotify does support video podcasts, it’s much easier to upload or embed custom videos on your own website. Furthermore, you can add attachments, documents, embed widgets, maps, images or anything else that’d make sense for your audience. You can even write a full blog if that is something you’re into.
- Podcast SEO – SEO is super important and can really help your show grow further. Sure, some people can find your show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. However, Google and other search engines have much more overall traffic. Catching some of that traffic towards your website can do wonders to your subscriber count over time.
There are many other benefits. Each podcaster can adapt their site to best support the growth or monetization of their show.
Using Podcastpage to build a site based on your Spotify podcast
Podcastpage.io is the leading website tool for podcasters. It’d help you set up a full website in just seconds based on your podcast RSS feed. You’ll simply need to sign up to Podcastpage, and then either search for your show or submit your podcast RSS feed URL.
After that, you can select podcast website template, and your brand new website would show up in the matter of seconds –
Customizing your site is easy once created. You can change all colors, import different templates or just use the drag & drop page builder to modify your layouts. Podcastpage automatically pulls all your episodes, so you don’t have to add those in manually. It’d also import all your podcast reviews, or users submit voice messages (or contact forms) on your site. With Podcastpage, it’s easy to add info on all your podcast guests and co-hosts. You can create profile pages for them or include them in each episode page. You’ll also be able to create unlimited custom pages or blog posts.
Conclusion – Spotify for Podcasters
In this article, we’ve reviewed why Spotify is such an important publishing platform for podcasters. It’s the most popular podcast host out there, and one of the most popular podcast apps. Podcasters who’re looking to grow their show would surely have to rely on Spotify.
That being said, we don’t recommend that you only use Spotify. It’s important to publish your podcast on different platforms, on your own podcast website, and possibly social networks. Don’t forget to always enable your RSS feed on Spotify for Podcasters. Otherwise your podcast won’t be available on other platforms.
Using Spotify for Podcasters can work for people starting their new podcast. You can also migrate existing shows from other podcast hosting platforms, or just connect a podcast that is hosted elsewhere. You’ll need to set up a new account and configure your show in order to add new episodes. There are also several monetization options, analytics and more.
Lastly, remember that creating a dedicated podcast website is key for your show’s success. Podcastpage.io is here to help you do that without skipping a beat!
