Getting your podcast on Spotify might sound techy, but trust me, it’s much easier than it seems. I’ve helped a few people through the process and done it myself, and I can tell you, once your show goes live on Spotify, it feels amazing. You’re suddenly in the same space as big names, and more importantly, people who need your content can find you more easily.
Let’s walk through it together.
Spotify now has over 546 million podcast listeners across the world (Source). That’s not a number to ignore. Whether you’re a teacher, a business owner, a storyteller, or even just testing out a side hustle, putting your podcast on Spotify helps you reach a much bigger audience.
Why Should You Use Spotify?
Spotify is one of the most-used apps for listening to podcasts. It works well on both phones and laptops, and people can listen while working, driving, walking, or relaxing.
Here’s what I personally love about Spotify:
- You can submit both audio and video podcasts
- It gives you useful stats about your listeners (age, location, number of plays)
- It’s free to use and supports most podcast platforms
- They now offer monetisation tools to help you earn from your podcast
If you want to be taken seriously as a podcaster, Spotify is one of the best places to show up.
How to Put Your Podcast on Spotify
Uploading your podcast to Spotify is one of the most important steps you can take to reach more listeners. Whether you’re just starting or already recording episodes, this guide breaks everything down into easy, clear steps—even if you’re not tech-savvy.
#1. Get Your Podcast Ready
Before you even visit Spotify’s website, you need to have a few things in place:
- A recorded episode: Start with at least one finished episode in MP3 format. It should be edited and ready to go. You don’t need 10 episodes to launch—one is enough to start.
- A podcast name: Keep it simple, memorable, and relevant to your topic. Avoid long or complicated titles.
- A short description: Write 2–3 sentences that describe what your podcast is about and who it’s for. Think of it like your elevator pitch.
- Cover art: Create a square image that’s ideally 1400 x 1400 pixels. Use a free tool like Canva to design something clean, bold, and readable at a small size.
- An RSS feed: This is like your podcast’s “home address.” It updates Spotify every time you upload a new episode. You get this feed from your hosting platform (like Anchor, Buzzsprout, Podbean, etc.). If you don’t already use one, you’ll need to sign up for a podcast host first.
Tip: Don’t skip the artwork. Spotify will reject submissions without proper cover art.
#2. Create a Spotify Account
If you already use Spotify to listen to music, you’re halfway there. If not:
- Go to spotify.com
- Click Sign Up
- Use an email address you check regularly (this will be used for verification)
You’ll use this account to manage your podcast on Spotify for Podcasters.
#3. Go to Spotify for Podcasters
Once your Spotify account is set up:
- Visit podcasters.spotify.com
- Click Log In
- Use your Spotify credentials (email and password)
This is your dashboard for submitting, tracking, and managing your podcast.
#4. Submit Your RSS Feed
You’ll see a button that says “Add Your Podcast” — click it.
- Paste your RSS feed into the box
- Spotify will scan the feed and pull in your podcasts:
- Title
- Cover image
- Description
- Existing episodes
If everything looks correct, you can move to the next step.
What if you don’t have an RSS feed yet?
Please return to your hosting platform (such as Anchor, Buzzsprout, or Podbean) and find your RSS feed. It’s usually under Settings or Distribution.
#5. Verify Your Ownership
To make sure you actually own the podcast you’re submitting, Spotify will send a verification code to the email address listed in the RSS feed metadata.
- Check your inbox for a code
- Enter that code on the Spotify screen to confirm your ownership
Troubleshooting tip: If you don’t get the email, check your spam folder or confirm the email attached to your RSS feed is still active.
#6. Add Extra Info About Your Podcast
Next, Spotify asks you a few questions. These questions help their system recommend your show to the right audience.
You’ll need to fill in:
- Language: What language are your episodes in?
- Country of origin: Where are you producing your podcast?
- Podcast category: Choose a category that fits your topic. For example:
- Health & Fitness
- Comedy
- Business
- Education
- True Crime
- Hosting platform: Select the service you’re using (e.g., Anchor, Buzzsprout)
Tip: Pick a category that closely matches your content. This helps Spotify show your podcast to the right listeners.
#7. Submit and Wait
Once you’ve confirmed all the details, hit Submit.
Here’s what happens next:
- Spotify processes your request
- You’ll see a message saying your podcast is being reviewed
- It can go live in minutes, but sometimes it takes a few hours to 1–2 days
Once it’s live, Spotify gives you a public link. You can now share your podcast with friends, embed it in blog posts, promote it on Instagram, or even add it to your email signature.
Bonus Tip:
Bookmark your Spotify podcast link and add it to your Linktree, website, or social media bios.
Do You Need a Podcast Hosting Platform?
Yes — and here’s why.
Spotify is a podcast distributor, not a podcast host (except when you use Spotify for Podcasters, formerly known as Anchor). Your podcast episodes genuinely reside on a hosting platform. The hosting platform provides an RSS feed that Spotify uses to display your episodes.
What does a podcast host do?
- Stores your audio files
- Provides an RSS feed (a link Spotify uses to fetch your episodes)
- Tracks analytics (listens, downloads, etc.)
- Helps distribute your podcast to Apple, Google, Amazon, etc.
Popular hosting platforms:
- Spotify for Podcasters (Anchor) – Free, great for beginners, integrates directly with Spotify
- Buzzsprout – Simple interface, free plan with limitations, popular for analytics
- Podbean – Strong monetisation tools, easy distribution
- Transistor – Great for teams, allows multiple users per account
If you’re just starting, Spotify for Podcasters is perfect. It handles everything from recording to distribution, free of charge.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting
Many new podcasters get stuck or delayed because of small errors. Here are the big ones to avoid:
Mistake 1: Submitting without cover art
Spotify won’t accept your show without a cover image that’s:
- Square (1400 x 1400 pixels or larger)
- JPG or PNG format
- Under 500KB
- Clear and readable even in thumbnail size
Mistake 2: Using an RSS feed with errors
Make sure your RSS feed is:
- Valid (test it with Cast Feed Validator)
- Linked to an active email address
- Includes episode metadata like title and description
Mistake 3: Picking the wrong category
These factors can limit your visibility. Always choose the category that best fits your content, even if it’s not the most popular.
Mistake 4: Using copyrighted music
Spotify may reject your episode if it contains music to which you do not have the right. Use royalty-free music or licensed audio only.
Mistake 5: Ignoring your description
Your podcast description is one of the first things people read. Keep it clear, helpful, and keyword-rich.
What Happens After You Upload?
So, what now? After you submit your podcast, Spotify will:
- Process your show – This can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours.
- Send you a public Spotify link—You can share this link on social media, your website, or in emails.
- Automatically fetch new episodes – Every time you publish a new episode to your RSS feed, Spotify updates automatically. You don’t need to resubmit your podcast each time.
Once live, your podcast will appear on:
- Spotify mobile app
- Desktop web app
- Spotify smart speaker integration (Alexa, Google Home, etc.)
Make sure to listen to your podcast on Spotify once it’s live, so you know it’s playing correctly.
Spotify Podcast Analytics: What You Can Track
Using Spotify for Podcasters, you get access to helpful insights to grow your show. It’s free and beginner-friendly.
Key stats include:
- Total plays – How many times people listened to your episodes
- Unique listeners – The number of different people who tuned in
- Follows – People who clicked “follow” on your show
- Listener locations – Countries and cities where your audience is based
- Demographics – Age and gender breakdowns
- Retention – Where people stop listening to an episode
This data helps you:
- Find out what episode length works best
- Discover your most popular topics
- Choose the right posting time
- Understand your audience better
Pro Tip:
Compare Spotify analytics with your host’s data (e.g., Buzzsprout or Podbean) for a full picture.
Can You Monetise on Spotify?
Yes. Spotify gives you a few ways to make money from your podcast—either directly on the platform or through connected tools.
Monetisation options include:
1. Ads through Spotify for Podcasters. If you’re in an eligible region, you can turn on ads for your show. Ads automatically appear at predetermined intervals.
2. Listener Support You can allow fans to contribute monthly (similar to Patreon), helping fund your content.
3. Brand Sponsorships If your audience is niche and loyal, even if it’s small, companies might sponsor your episodes. Just add a mid-roll or end-roll mention.
4. Affiliate Links: Mention useful tools/products and earn a small commission when someone buys through your link. Always disclose affiliate links to your audience.
5. Cross-Promotion You can collaborate with other podcasters and promote each other’s content to grow your audience, which opens more monetisation doors in the future.
Key Takeaways
- You don’t need to be tech-savvy. The process is simple and only takes 10–15 minutes.
- Spotify gives you access to millions of listeners. That’s a big deal for growth.
- Your podcast needs to be hosted elsewhere first. Use free platforms like Anchor or paid ones like Buzzsprout.
- Stats help you grow smarter. Spotify shows you where your audience is and how they behave.
- You can earn money. With features like listener support and ads, Spotify helps creators monetise.
FAQs
Do I need to pay Spotify to submit my podcast?
No. It’s 100% free.
Can I use Spotify to host my podcast, too?
Yes! If you use Anchor (now called Spotify for Podcasters), it handles everything — recording, editing, hosting, and submitting.
How long does it take to appear on Spotify?
Usually under 24 hours, but sometimes within minutes.
What if I don’t have cover art or an RSS feed?
You can create cover art using Canva, and you’ll need to use a podcast hosting service to get your RSS feed.
Conclusion
Uploading your podcast to Spotify is one of the best moves you can make as a creator. It gives you visibility, reach, and tools to grow fast, without needing a studio or a big budget.
It’s something I wish more people knew they could do. So, now that you know how to put a podcast on Spotify, what kind of show are you thinking of launching?
Related Articles
- Podcast Advertising: How It Works
- The Best Programs for Podcasting In 2025
- Podcast Sponsorships: How to Get Paid to Talk About What You Love
- Podcast Advertising: How It Works
- Podcast Monitoring: The 5 Top Podcast Monitoring Tools You Should Use in 2025
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