Podcast Distribution Checklist: Submit to the Major Platforms
TL;DR: Start with the platforms your audience actually uses. We suggest submitting to Apple Podcasts and Spotify first, then YouTube if you publish video, then Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and open indexes like Podcast Index. Prepare your feed, artwork and metadata first, submit in one session, then verify every listing.
Table of Contents
- Distribution Strategy Overview
- Pre-Distribution Checklist
- Tier 1: Essential Platforms
- Tier 2: Major Directories
- Tier 3: Additional Reach
- Tracking Your Submissions
- Post-Submission Verification
- FAQ
Distribution Strategy Overview
Prioritize platforms based on where your listeners are and the effort required.
Here's the thing: you don't need to be on every obscure podcast directory. Among US weekly podcast consumers age 13+, the services used most often for podcasts in Q4 2025 were YouTube (39%), Spotify (20%) and Apple Podcasts (11%), according to the Infinite Dial 2026 presentation. Cover those first, then add secondary directories, and pursue smaller ones only if you have a specific audience reason. Your hosting analytics will show which apps your listeners actually use.
Platform Priority Tiers
| Tier | Platforms | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Apple Podcasts, Spotify (and YouTube if you publish video) | Must do |
| Tier 2 | Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Podcast Index | Should do |
| Tier 3 | Listen Notes, Podchaser, Deezer and others | Nice to have, depending on your audience |
Time Investment
Set aside one focused session. How long each submission takes, and how long review takes afterwards, varies by directory and by whether your feed validates cleanly the first time.
Submit everything in one session while you have your information ready.
Pre-Distribution Checklist
Verify everything before starting submissions.
Feed Requirements
- RSS feed URL is accessible (test in browser)
- Feed validates without errors
- At least one episode published (Apple requires at least one episode)
- HTTPS is working (no certificate errors)
Artwork Requirements
- Artwork is square and between 1400 x 1400 and 3000 x 3000 pixels, the range Apple Podcasts accepts via RSS
- Format is JPEG or PNG, with no transparency (Apple Podcasts show cover specs)
- File size is within each platform's current limit
- Image displays correctly in feed
Metadata Requirements
- Show title is final and correct
- Description is complete and compelling
- Author/host name is accurate
- Owner email is accessible (for verifications)
- Categories are selected
- Language is set correctly
- Explicit rating is accurate
Information to Have Ready
Prepare these before starting:
RSS Feed URL: _______________________
Show Title: _______________________
Show Description: _______________________
Website URL: _______________________
Owner Email: _______________________
Apple Account: _______________________
Spotify Account: _______________________
Amazon Account: _______________________
Tier 1: Essential Platforms
Apple Podcasts
Submission: Apple Podcasts Connect
Process:
- In Apple Podcasts Connect, choose to add a new show with an RSS feed and enter your feed URL (Apple's submission guide)
- Check the show information, set content rights and provide contact information (Apple's submission guide)
- Set availability, then publish once the feed passes validation (Apple's submission guide)
Apple's guide notes that "All shows must pass technical validations and a review process before they're made available on Apple Podcasts." It doesn't give a review time, so check back in Podcasts Connect.
Full guide: Submitting to Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Submission: Spotify for Creators
Process:
- If you host with Spotify for Creators, confirm the show is live: Spotify says those shows are published to Spotify automatically
- Otherwise, find your host in Spotify's list of hosting partners and follow the submission guide for that host
Full guide: Submitting to Spotify
Tier 2: Major Directories
Add these for broader coverage.
Amazon Music
Submission: Amazon Music for Podcasters
Process:
- Use "Add Or Claim Your Podcast" on Amazon Music for Podcasters and follow the prompts
iHeartRadio
Submission: iHeartRadio for Podcasters
Process:
- Check you're eligible: iHeartRadio for Podcasters accepts submissions only from people in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand
- Log in or sign up with an iHeartRadio account and enter your podcast's RSS feed URL on the submission page
Podcast Index
Why it matters: An open podcast index that other apps can build on.
Submission: podcastindex.org/add
Process:
- Enter your RSS feed URL on the Podcast Index add-feed page
Tier 3: Additional Reach
Complete these if they suit your audience.
Listen Notes
Why it matters: A podcast search engine.
Submission: listennotes.com/submit
Process:
- Submit your Apple Podcasts URL or RSS feed URL on the Listen Notes submit page
Podchaser
Why it matters: A podcast database; its claim page lists podcast credits and reviews among its features.
Submission: podchaser.com/claim
Process:
- Log in to Podchaser and claim your show from its claim page
- We suggest completing your creator profile once the claim goes through
Deezer
Submission: Deezer for Podcasters
Process:
- Check whether your host already distributes to Deezer
- If not, use "Publish my podcast" on Deezer for Podcasters
Other Apps
If your show is missing from an app your listeners mention, look for a "submit" or "claim" option on that app's website.
Tracking Your Submissions
Keep records of your distribution status.
Submission Tracker Template
| Platform | URL | Submitted | Status | Approved | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Podcasts | [ ] | ||||
| Spotify | [ ] | ||||
| YouTube | [ ] | ||||
| Amazon Music | [ ] | ||||
| iHeartRadio | [ ] | ||||
| Podcast Index | [ ] | ||||
| Listen Notes | [ ] | ||||
| Podchaser | [ ] | ||||
| Deezer | [ ] |
Account Credentials
Store login information securely:
- Apple Account
- Spotify for Creators login
- Amazon Music for Podcasters login
- Other platform logins
Use a password manager for security.
Post-Submission Verification
Confirm everything worked correctly.
Verification Checklist
After approval, verify on each platform:
- Show title displays correctly
- Artwork appears properly
- Description is complete
- Episodes are listed
- Audio plays correctly
- Categories are accurate
When to Verify
Check each dashboard for your submission status and any emails from the platform, and search for your show in each app once it's approved. Keep a note of when you submitted so you know when to follow up.
Troubleshooting Missing Listings
If your podcast doesn't appear when you expect it to:
- Check submission status in the platform dashboard
- Review email for rejection notices
- Validate RSS feed again for errors
- Verify feed URL is publicly accessible
- Contact support if it's still missing
Ongoing Maintenance
Regularly:
- Verify all listings are current
- Check that new episodes are appearing
- Review analytics across platforms
When making changes:
- Update in your hosting platform first
- Apps pick up feed changes on their own schedules
- Check the major apps after a change to confirm it came through
FAQ
Do I need to submit to every directory?
No. Focus on Apple Podcasts and Spotify first, plus YouTube if you publish video. Add Tier 2 platforms for broader reach. Tier 3 platforms are optional; add them if your audience uses them.
What if my hosting platform distributes automatically?
Check your host's distribution settings; it may submit to major directories for you. Even with auto-distribution, verify listings exist and claim your profiles where possible (for analytics and control), because a host may not cover every platform.
How often should I check my directory listings?
Check more often in your first few weeks, then settle into a regular routine. After each release, confirm the new episode appears on the major platforms. If you notice issues (missing episodes, outdated information), start by checking your RSS feed.
Can I be removed from directories after approval?
Yes. Platforms can remove shows that break their guidelines, and you can ask to be removed. Keep your feed healthy and read each platform's rules. If you want to remove your podcast from a directory, check its specific removal process.
Ready to Get Your Podcast Everywhere?
Work through this checklist systematically and your show will be available on the platforms your listeners use.
As your episodes go live everywhere and your catalog grows, make every episode discoverable. Try PodRewind free with five episodes, then upgrade to search your entire archive to find any moment across all your episodes in seconds.