How to Upload Podcasts to Spotify

Maybe Spotify, with 678 million listeners, seems like the perfect place for your podcast. You're excited, but you're not quite sure how to get your podcast onto Spotify.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ll walk you through the steps to create a podcast on Spotify, from setting up your account to optimizing your show for visibility.

This way, you can reach your target audience and even make money with your content. Let’s dive in!

content:

• Why release a podcast on Spotify?
  • 1. Millions of users are waiting for you
  • 2. You can make money with podcasts
  • 3. Every type of listener can bring you benefits
  • 4. Their discovery algorithms are improving
  • 5. Get started in just minutes
  • 6. Great for video podcasts
  • 7. They have powerful features to increase engagement
  • 8. Excellent Spotify App for Creators
• How to upload your podcast to Spotify via the Creators App
  • 1. Preparing your podcast episode
  • 2. Export podcast files correctly
  • 3. Visit Spotify for Creators
  • 4. create Account
  • 5. Set up your podcast details
  • 6. Upload cover
  • 7. Verify your email address
  • 8. Create an episode
  • 9. Add episode details
  • 10. Publish your episode
• How to Create a Podcast on Spotify Using the Mobile App
• How to Create a Podcast on Spotify Using an Existing Podcast
  • 1. Comply with all requirements
  • 2. Visit Spotify for Podcasters
  • 3. Log in or create an account
  • 4. Select an existing podcast option
  • 5. Submit RSS Feed
  • 6. Verify ownership
  • 7. Add podcast details
  • 8. Submit and review
• Tips for Uploading Podcasts to Spotify
• Uploading Podcasts to Spotify: Conclusion

Why release a podcast on Spotify?

Before we learn how to upload your podcast to Spotify, it’s best to first understand why you might want to do it:

1. Millions of users are waiting for you

Spotify’s user base far exceeds that of any other podcast platform. It has 678 million monthly users and 268 million paying subscribers. You definitely don’t want to miss out on this, right?

Especially if you're targeting American listeners, about 46 million people listen to podcasts on Spotify, second only to YouTube.

2. You can make money with podcasts

Want to make money with your podcast? Spotify is a great choice. They made over $100 million in podcast revenue this year. In January, hundreds of podcasters made over $10,000.

You keep almost all of your subscription fees and only pay a processing fee, which is great because Apple Podcasts takes 30% of your revenue.

3. Every type of audience can bring you benefits

Like YouTube, Spotify helps podcasters make money from listeners, whether they pay for a subscription or listen for free. Free listeners hear ads, and podcasters get a cut of the ad revenue.

Basically, you make money through subscriptions or ads on free episodes.

4. Their discovery algorithms are improving

When you join a new platform, you always want to stand out, right? Spotify is now making it easier. They are improving their algorithm to favor both new and popular shows.

Thanks to the latest update, recommendations are now even more precise. They use user preferences and location information to help your show get more exposure.

5. Get started in just minutes

It doesn't take hours to create a podcast on Spotify. Want to upload from your phone? Upload your content using Spotify for Creators. Already have a podcast somewhere else? Just link your RSS feed.

They support all standard file types such as MP3, M4A, WAV for audio, and MOV, MPG, MP4 for video. Your new episode will go live automatically when you're ready.

6. Great for video podcasts

You heard it right. Spotify now supports video podcasts. And it turns out that 48% of US podcast listeners currently watch the video version.

For Generation Z, it’s even more popular. 90% of them sometimes watch video podcasts. So, choosing a platform like Spotify that supports video is a smart move.

7. They have powerful features to increase engagement

Did you know that Spotify has a threaded comment feature where listeners can chat, add emojis, and link to songs, books, or playlists in "In This Episode"?

They also offer a “Following” feature that shows all the episodes of the shows you follow in one place. You can manage all of your content through Spotify for Creators, allowing you to manage and grow your community.

8. Excellent Spotify Creator App

You can no longer record directly using the Spotify for Creators app, but you can still easily upload singles from anywhere. It gives you real-time stats and performance insights.

You can also manage comments, check your podcast progress, see popular episodes, and get leaderboard updates from your phone. The best part? It's all free so you can keep improving.

How to upload your podcast to Spotify via the Creators App

Here are the steps to upload your podcast to Spotify. This is the most common method used by new content creators on the platform:

1. Prepare your podcast

Before you can upload your podcast to Spotify, you have to create the content first. Why? Spotify for Creators doesn't have a built-in audio recorder. So you need to use other software to record your podcast.

There are many options out there, such as Riverside , Rev , or Audacity . If you want a free, open source program that runs on any computer and records high-quality audio, Audacity is a good choice.

You can download Audacity from its official website , open the program and set up your microphone. Once you are ready, click the "Record" button to start recording.

2. Export podcast files correctly

Once you're done editing, save the file in a format that Spotify supports. To do this: Go to File > Export Audio > Export to Computer . Then, name the file, select MP3 as the format, and click Export .

But remember that Spotify now supports both audio and video podcasts. So, no matter what software you use to produce such content, make sure your files meet its requirements:

For audio :

• File formats : WAV, FLAC, MP3, M4A (AAC)
• Sampling rate : 48 kHz to 96 kHz
• Bit Depth : 24 bit (recommended)

For Video :

• File formats : MP4, MOV, MPEG, MPG
• Video codec : H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), ProRes LT
• Resolution : 720p, 1080p, 4K
• Frame rate : 30 fps, 60 fps, 25 fps
• Audio Codec : AAC

3. Visit Spotify for Creators

Before signing up for Spotify, make sure you are at least 13 years old. If you want to make money with your account, you must be 18 years old or older. You also need a valid email address.

When you're ready, visit podcasters.spotify.com in your web browser . This site is for podcast creators and is not affiliated with the main Spotify music service.

Next, click on the "Get Started" or "Sign Up" button. You will see the option to sign up using your email, phone number, Google, Facebook, or Apple account. You can choose the method that works best for you.

4. Create an account

If you want to create a Spotify account using your Google account, just click on “ Sign up with Google .” You will be taken to the account creation page.

Here you will need to enter your email address, choose a profile name, provide your date of birth and select your gender. Make sure to accept the terms and conditions before clicking the "Sign Up" button.

5. Set up your podcast details

If you're new and want to start a podcast , just select "Create a new show ." Then, when you're asked "What do you want to do?" , a window will pop up to add the show details.

Simply fill in the following fields:

• Show Name : The title of your podcast. Keep it short, memorable, and clearly express your topic.
• Description : Give a brief summary of what your podcast is about. Use keywords to help new listeners find you.
• Creator Name : Your name. This identifies the person behind the podcast and helps build trust.
• Category : The genre that best fits your podcast, like Arts, Comedy, Education, etc. It helps listeners find your show among similar content.
• Language : The primary language of the episode. You can select English.

6. Upload cover

Double-check that your information is accurate and click Next . A window will appear allowing you to upload your cover .

Just click "Upload Image" and select your file. You can use the preview feature to crop the image. Once you're satisfied with the result, click " Done" .

7. Verify your email address

Before you can publish your podcast with Spotify for Creators, you need to verify your email. Please check your inbox for the verification link. However, if you didn't receive the email? Click Resend Email .

8. Create an episode

Once your podcast setup is ready, it's time to upload your first episode.

You can do this by clicking "Publish Episode" in the "Get Started" section on the home page , or by going directly to the "Episodes" menu and selecting "Add Episode."

On the Create Episode page, you can upload audio or video podcast content to Spotify. Simply click Choose File and select the file you want to upload.

9. Add episode details

After that, you'll need to fill out some details about your show. Providing accurate information is important because it makes your show stand out and easier to find. Here's what you'll need to fill out:

• Title — The main title of the episode, visible in feeds and lists. Keep it brief and clear.
• Description — A short summary or teaser for the show. This will appear below the title in the podcast app—use it to highlight key topics, add a timestamp, or include a link.
• Shortcuts – You can add shortcuts to episodes, shows, or playlists related to this episode.
• Content Check - A required setting to indicate whether your episode contains explicit language or propaganda. Toggle to Yes or No .
• Add a Poll - Add multiple choice questions directly to your show page. Polls allow listeners to vote on podcast topics, increasing their engagement.
• Additional Details — Optional fields such as season and episode number, and type such as full episode, trailer, or bonus episode. These help organize the content of the episode and add context.
• Comment Settings - Choose whether listeners can post comments. You can allow public discussion, disable comments, or moderate comments before they appear.

Once you are sure all the information is correct, click Next .

10. Publish your episode

This is the final step in uploading your podcast to Spotify using your browser. You can choose to Publish Now or Schedule to publish to a future date and time.

When you click Publish , your episode will go live on Spotify for everyone to listen.

How to Create a Podcast on Spotify Using the Mobile App

The steps for uploading podcasts to Spotify using the mobile app are actually very similar:

1. Download and install the Spotify for Creators app on your Android or iOS device.
2. Open the app and tap Start .
3. On the Continue with Spotify page, select Sign Up if you don't have an account yet.
4. You can sign up using your email, Google, Apple or Facebook account. You will be taken to your mobile browser and logged in using the credentials of your choice.
5. Once logged in, click " Continue" and you will be returned to the Spotify for Creators app. Agree to the terms and conditions.
6. Next, you’ll see the option to create a new episode or use existing content from another hosting platform. Select “ I want to start a new show . ”
7. You will be asked to verify your email address. Please check your inbox, click the verification link, and return to the application.
8. Now, fill in your podcast details including show name, description, creator name, category, and language .
9. Don’t forget to upload your cover and click Done .
10. After setting up the podcast details, you will be returned to the main app page. Click "Publish an Episode" and then click the "+" button.
11. Choose whether you want to Upload a Clip , Upload an Episode , or Start a Poll .
12. If you choose to upload an episode , you will be directed to the upload page. Click "Choose File" to select the audio file.
13. Next, you'll see the episode details screen, where you can add a title , description , and other options like content review and comment permissions.
14. Once everything looks good, click Publish to publish your episode immediately, or Schedule to set a future release date.

That’s how you create a podcast with Spotify on your mobile device. Pretty easy, right?

How to Create a Podcast on Spotify Using an Existing Podcast

Not only can you create a podcast from scratch, but you can also link an existing podcast to Spotify. Here’s how to do it using an RSS feed:

1. Comply with all requirements

Before submitting your podcast, make sure you have published at least one podcast episode and have a verified email address. Directories like Spotify and Apple Podcasts require this information in order to accept your show.

Some hosting platforms, such as Podbean, restrict direct integration with Spotify to paid plans. If you're on a free plan, you may not be able to connect to your RSS feeds directly through your host.

Instead, you can manually submit your RSS feed to Spotify using Spotify for Podcasters.

2. Visit Spotify for Podcasters

If you think your podcast show is all set up on your hosting platform, then you can follow these steps to upload your podcast to Spotify.

All you need to do is visit creators.spotify.com and click on the “Start” button.

3. Log in or create an account

You can log in to your current Spotify account or create a new one. The email address linked to your Spotify account does not have to be the same as the email address in your RSS feed, but Spotify will send a verification code to the email address in your RSS feed to verify that you own the RSS feed.

4. Select an existing podcast option

On the next screen, tap “ Find an existing show.” If your podcast is hosted by Megaphone, select “Megaphone by Spotify.” If not, select “Somewhere Else” to continue.

For this tutorial, we’ll select “Elsewhere” because we’re linking to podcasts from other platforms like Podbean or Buzzsprout.

5. Submit RSS feed

On the Find Your Podcast page, paste the podcast's RSS feed URL into the RSS Feed Link box. You can get this link from your hosting provider.

If you use Buzzsprout, go to "Catalog" > "RSS Feed" to find and copy the link. After entering the URL, click "Next" to continue.

6. Verify ownership

Check on the next page to see if this is your podcast. If it is the podcast you want to submit, click "Next" .

Next, you will see **the Verify Your Podcast page. Spotify will send an **8-digit code to the email address provided in your RSS subscription .

Check that email and enter the code on the Spotify for Podcasters website. Once you're done, it'll say "You're verified. Let's finish setting it up ." You can click Next .

7. Add podcast details

You'll be taken to the " Tell us more about your podcast" page. Here, you'll need to provide some additional information about your podcast. Specifically, you'll need to share:

• Where is your podcast produced?
• Main languages used in podcasts
• Primary Category
• Select up to three subcategories of this category
• You can also add other categories

After double-checking that all the information is accurate, you can click Next to continue.

8. Submit and review

Spotify will ask you if everything is OK . This is just a review of the information you entered.

If everything looks good, click Submit . You won't be able to make any changes after you submit. If you see confetti printed on your cover image and a message saying "You're Done," you're ready.

Just click Let's continue.

Tips for Uploading Podcasts to Spotify

You've learned all the steps on how to upload your podcast to Spotify. Now, let's explore some tips to make the process smoother:

• Keep audio file metadata as minimal as possible - When uploading to Spotify, keep the information about your audio files as concise as possible. Use small images (less than 500 KB) and only include basic information such as title, artist, and album.
• Prefer MP3 — You can upload other audio formats to Spotify, but MP3 or AAC work best. They sound good and have small file sizes.
• Normalize the volume before uploading - Stereo episodes should be set to around -16 LUFS. This will keep the volume even and comfortable, as Spotify will adjust the volume during playback.
• Make your title mobile-friendly —keep it short, about 20 characters. Longer titles will be truncated on mobile, and key information will be obscured by ellipses. So put your main keywords at the beginning.
• Check the email you use - it's best to use the same email for Spotify and your hosting platform, even if you can use different ones, to avoid verification issues.
• Use Host Recommendations - Spotify's feature that lets you recommend music, audiobooks, or podcasts on your show page. Use this feature to engage listeners and increase exposure for your show.
• Don’t overlook the “sweet spot ” — this is a quick way for new listeners to get into your show without having to jump straight to the latest episode. Just pick an episode that’s clear and easy to follow to hook them.
• Check your uploads after 24 hours - Spotify usually updates episodes within a few hours. If it takes longer than a day to update, there may be an issue with your RSS feeds, hosting server, or login information.
• Understand the requirements for video podcasts —your content should be less than 12 hours long and may only contain one video and one audio track. Keep this in mind when uploading your podcast to Spotify.

Uploading Podcasts to Spotify: Conclusion

Congratulations! Your podcast is now live on Spotify. This will help you reach more people who will enjoy your ideas and personality.

As more and more people follow you, you will become an expert in your field. This will bring you unprecedented diversified income sources.

Don't just limit yourself to ads or subscriptions. With Gank, you have more options . You can accept donations, create memberships, earn commissions, or sell items. Are you ready to join the Gank?

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