Podcast directories are the apps and websites where listeners find shows, and most beginners list their show in only two of them.
Apple Podcasts and Spotify get all the attention. That makes sense, because they are big. But a lot of people listen somewhere else, and if your show is not listed there, those people can never find you.
A podcast directory is simply a searchable catalog of shows. Think of it like a phone book for podcasts. You add your show once, and listeners search the catalog, press play, and subscribe.
This guide is for someone who has a show (or is about to launch one) and wants to know where else to list it. You will learn which directories are worth your time, which ones fill themselves, and how to avoid doing the same submission twelve times.
What Are Podcast Directories and Why Do They Matter?
A podcast directory is a catalog that lists podcasts so listeners can search, browse, and subscribe. Some directories are apps, like Apple Podcasts. Others are websites, like Goodpods. Your show can live in many of them at the same time, and it costs nothing to be listed.
Here is the part that surprises most beginners. Your episodes do not live inside any directory. They live on your podcast host, which is the service that stores your audio files and gives you your RSS feed.
An RSS feed is a web address that holds your show's title, artwork, description, and a list of every episode. Directories read that feed. When you publish a new episode, your host updates the feed, and every directory that reads it picks up the new episode.
So the real job is not "upload to twelve places." The real job is "tell twelve places where your feed lives."
I learned how much this matters while watching my wife's Hindi food podcast grow. It crossed 3.1 million downloads and reached the Apple Podcasts Top 10. Plenty of those listeners came from apps that had nothing to do with Apple. Being everywhere was part of the story.
Why one or two directories is not enough
Different listeners use different apps. A commuter in London might use Spotify. A listener in Mumbai might use JioSaavn or Gaana. Someone on an Android phone might use YouTube Music. A person who already has Amazon Prime might never open another app.
If you list in only two places, you are quietly telling everyone else that your show does not exist. Listing in more places costs you an afternoon, once. That is a very good trade.
Start With Your RSS Feed (Everything Else Depends on It)
Your RSS feed is the single source that feeds every podcast directory, so your host matters more than any individual listing. Get the feed right first, then submit it everywhere. If the feed has a problem, every directory inherits that problem.
To get an RSS feed, you need a podcast host. A host is a service that stores your audio and creates the feed for you. I recommend Buzzsprout for beginners, because it gives you the feed link on the first screen. It also walks you through the submissions to the big directories. Other good options are Acast and Hubhopper.
Before you submit anywhere, check these five things in your feed:
- A clear show title with no extra symbols
- Square cover art, at least 1400 by 1400 pixels
- A description that says who the show is for in the first sentence
- At least one published episode (some directories reject empty feeds)
- A category that matches your topic
Need help with the artwork? My guide to tips for stunning podcast artwork covers the size rules. It also shows what looks good in a tiny thumbnail.
Why you should never host in two places
Beginners sometimes make a second show page "just in case." Please do not do this. Two feeds for one show means two sets of download numbers, two sets of reviews, and confused listeners.
Keep one host and one feed. Every directory below points to that single feed.
The Big Podcast Directories You Should List In First
The big podcast directories cover most of the world's listeners, so list in these first. Most hosts let you submit to several of them from one dashboard, which saves a lot of time.
Here is the short list, with a plain description of each one:
- Apple Podcasts: The oldest and best known. You submit through Apple Podcasts Connect. Review usually takes a few days.
- Spotify: Submit through Spotify for Podcasters. Spotify is where many younger listeners spend their time.
- YouTube Music: Google lets you add your RSS feed through YouTube Studio, and your episodes then appear in YouTube Music and YouTube search.
- Amazon Music: Submit through Amazon Music for Podcasters. It matters most if your listeners already have Prime.
That is four. If you stop here, you already cover the majority of English-language listening apps.
How long does approval take?
Most directories approve a show in a few minutes to a few days. Apple is usually the slowest. Do not panic if your show is not live the same hour you submit it.
A good habit is to submit everything on the same day, write down the date, and check back after a week. If something is still missing after seven days, look at the email address attached to your feed, because rejection notices often land there.
The Best Podcast Directories Beyond Apple and Spotify
The best podcast directories beyond the big four are free to join and bring in different kinds of listeners. These are the ones worth adding next.
Here is a plain guide to each:
- Goodpods: A discovery app where listeners follow shows, make lists, and see what their friends play. It has a feature where listeners can claim and review a show.
- Castbox: A popular player, especially on Android, with a built-in way to claim your show.
- Player FM: A web and mobile player with a clean, simple search.
- JioSaavn: A major audio app in India. If you want Indian listeners, this one matters.
- Gaana: Another large Indian audio app, with its own podcast section.
- Pocket Casts: A paid-app favorite among heavy podcast listeners.
- iHeartRadio: A big name in the United States, and a place many casual listeners find shows.
- Podchaser: A database where listeners rate shows and creators list their credits.
You do not need all eight on day one. If you serve an Indian audience, put JioSaavn and Gaana at the top. If you serve a US audience, put iHeartRadio and Pocket Casts near the top.
Which of these fill themselves?
Here is a pleasant surprise. Several of these apps find your show without you doing anything. They read the open podcast catalog that Apple's directory feeds, so once you are in Apple, you may appear in them within days.
That is why the order matters. Do Apple first. Then check which of the others already list you before you submit again.
To check, search your exact show title inside each app. If your show comes up, you are done with that one. If it does not, find the app's "add your podcast" or "claim your show" page and paste in your RSS feed.
Why Goodpods deserves a special mention
I give Goodpods extra attention because it is friendly to small, independent shows. I have a Goodpods link in the footer of my own posts. One of my shows has also ranked in the Goodpods Top 100 Technology Indie Podcasts.
Claim your show there, add a short description, and ask your first listeners to follow you. It is a gentle way to build early signals that you are worth a look.
How to Submit Your Podcast to Podcast Directories, Step by Step
To submit a podcast to podcast directories, copy your RSS feed link once and paste it into each directory's submission page. The whole process takes about an hour the first time, and almost no time after that.
Follow these steps in order:
- Log in to your podcast host and copy your RSS feed link.
- Submit to Apple Podcasts through Apple Podcasts Connect.
- Submit to Spotify through Spotify for Podcasts.
- Add your feed to YouTube Music through YouTube Studio.
- Submit to Amazon Music for Podcasters.
- Search for your show in Goodpods, Castbox, Player FM, Pocket Casts, and iHeartRadio.
- Claim or submit in any app where your show does not appear.
- Add JioSaavn and Gaana if you want Indian listeners.
- Save every listing link in one note, so you can share them later.
Write the listing links down as you go. You will use them in your show notes, your email signature, and your social profiles.
Use the shortcuts your host gives you
Many hosts have a "distribution" or "directories" page that handles several of these in a few clicks. Buzzsprout, for example, walks you through the big ones and tells you when each one is approved.
Use that page first. Then do the manual submissions for whatever it did not cover.
A quick tip on the show description
Directories show only the first line or two of your description in search results. Put the most important sentence first. Say who the show is for and what they get.
"A weekly show for first-time founders who want plain-English marketing advice" works. "Welcome to my podcast" does not.
Podcast Listing Sites That Are Worth Your Time (and Ones That Are Not)
Not every site that says it will "promote your podcast" is worth your time. Stick to the directories that real listeners actually open, and skip anything that asks you for money to be listed.
Here is a simple way to decide:
- Does it have a real listener app or search page? If yes, list the show.
- Is it free? Real directories almost never charge to list your feed.
- Does it ask for your hosting login? Never share this. A directory only needs your RSS link.
If a service promises thousands of downloads for a fee, walk away. Real growth comes from real listeners finding you in places they already use.
What a new show should ignore
Skip tiny directories nobody uses, and skip submission "blasting" services that claim to push you to 100 sites at once. Most of those sites are abandoned copies of each other.
Your time is better spent writing a good episode title. My guide on writing an ultimate podcast episode title shows how a small change in wording can help the right listener click.
Common Mistakes When You Submit a Podcast (and How to Fix Them)
Most failed submissions come from three problems: a broken feed, small artwork, or an email address nobody checks. Each one has a simple fix, and each one is easy to avoid.
Here is what goes wrong, why it happens, and what to do:
- The feed is rejected for artwork. Directories want square art of at least 1400 by 1400 pixels. Re-export your cover and update it in your host.
- The approval email never arrives. It goes to the address inside your feed. Open your host settings and confirm that address is one you actually read.
- The show appears with the wrong name. This happens when you change the title after submitting. Update it at the host, and wait a day for directories to refresh.
- Episodes do not update. This usually means the directory has a cached copy. Wait 24 hours before you worry.
- Two listings for one show. You submitted twice, or you made a second feed. Contact the directory and ask them to remove the older one.
When I help new podcasters, the single most common problem is the email address. People set up a feed with an old email, then wait for a message that is sitting in an inbox they stopped using.
How to tell if a listing is working
Search for your show by name inside the app. Open the page. Check that the artwork, title, and latest episode all look right.
Then play an episode all the way through at least once. If the audio loads cleanly, the listing is healthy.
Do You Need to Do This Again for Every Episode?
No. After the first setup, your host updates the feed with every new episode, and every directory picks it up on its own. The one-time work pays off for the life of your show.
This is the reason I tell beginners not to feel overwhelmed. You do the directory work once. Then you spend your time on the thing that matters, which is making the next episode.
If you ever change hosts, the story changes a little. You will need to redirect your old feed to the new one, which most hosts support. Do that carefully, and do not delete the old feed until the move is complete.
Where This Fits in Your Launch (Day 6 of the Challenge)
Directory listing is one small step in a launch, and it works best when it sits inside a clear order of tasks. A listed show with no plan behind it still gets no listeners.
This is exactly where many beginners stall. They list the show, then wait. Nothing happens, and they quietly give up.
Distribution is Day 6 of my 7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge. Each day is gated behind proof of the work from the day before. By Day 6, you have a recorded episode, so listing your feed is the natural next step. You finish the week with a show people can actually find.
If you have been stuck on the "where do I even submit this" step, that is the order that breaks the loop.
Podcast Directories vs. Podcast Hosts: What Is the Difference?
A podcast host stores your audio and makes your feed. A podcast directory is a catalog that reads that feed. You need one host, and you can use as many directories as you like.
People mix these up all the time, and the mix-up causes real trouble. Someone uploads an episode straight into a listening app, then wonders why it only plays there. That is not how podcasting works.
Here is a simple way to remember it:
- Host: your warehouse. It holds the audio files.
- Feed: the shipping label. It tells everyone where the files are.
- Directory: the shop window. It shows your show to shoppers.
If you remember only that, you will avoid the most common beginner confusion. The window can be changed, added to, or removed. The warehouse stays put.
What to Do After Your Show Is Listed
Getting listed is the start, not the finish. A listing only gives people the chance to find you, so the next step is giving them a reason to press play and come back.
Here are four small actions that help in the first two weeks:
- Share the direct link to your show on the app your friends use most.
- Ask your first ten listeners to follow or subscribe, not just play once.
- Ask for a short rating in the app where they listen.
- Put your listing links in your email signature and social bios.
I like to keep one page with every listing link, so I never hunt for them again. When someone asks "where can I listen?", I send one message. It saves me time, and it makes a new show look organized.
One more thing. Do not worry that your first few downloads are small. A new show with a handful of listeners is normal, and the numbers climb as you publish more episodes.
Quick Checklist: Your Podcast Directory Plan
Use this checklist the next time you are ready to list a show:
- Confirm your feed has square art, a clear title, and at least one episode.
- Submit to Apple Podcasts first.
- Submit to Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music.
- Wait a few days, then search for your show in Goodpods, Castbox, Player FM, Pocket Casts, and iHeartRadio.
- Claim or submit anywhere your show is missing.
- Add JioSaavn and Gaana for Indian listeners.
- Save every listing link in one note.
- Share those links in your show notes and bio.
Listen to the Podcast Episode
I recorded a companion episode for this guide, Episode 226, called "Where Else Should Your Podcast Be Listed Besides Apple and Spotify?" In it, I walk through the same idea in a few minutes, in plain spoken words you can play while you work.
What I cover in this episode:
- Why most beginners list in only two apps, and what that costs them
- How one RSS feed quietly fills most of the other directories
- Which free directories are worth the effort, and which ones to skip
- The email mistake that stops approval for new shows
Tools I mention and recommend:
- Buzzsprout for podcast hosting, because it gives you the feed link right away
- Riverside for recording interviews, if you plan to have guests
- Audacity for free editing before you publish
Planning to start a podcast? Join my 7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge. It takes you from idea to a live show, one day at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are podcast directories?
Podcast directories are apps and websites that list podcasts so people can search, browse, and subscribe. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Goodpods are examples. A show can be listed in dozens of them at once, and they all read the same RSS feed from your host.
Do I have to pay to list my podcast in a directory?
No. The real directories are free to join. Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and Goodpods all accept your show at no cost. If a site asks for payment to list your feed, treat that as a warning sign.
How many podcast directories should I submit to?
Start with four: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music. Then add three or four more based on your audience, like Goodpods, Castbox, JioSaavn, or iHeartRadio. Eight listings is plenty for a new show.
Where do I submit a podcast for free?
You submit through each directory's own page, usually called something like "Connect," "for Podcasters," or "Add your show." You paste in your RSS feed link and confirm that you own it. Most hosts also give you shortcuts to the big ones.
What is an RSS feed and where do I find mine?
An RSS feed is a web address that holds your show details and episode list. Your podcast host creates it for you. Log in to your host and look for "RSS feed," "feed URL," or "distribution."
Why is my podcast not showing up on Spotify or Apple?
The most common reasons are small artwork, an empty feed, or an approval email sent to the wrong address. Apple can take several days, while Spotify is often faster. Check the email inside your feed, and wait seven days before you resubmit.
Do I need to submit every new episode to every directory?
No. Your host updates the feed with each episode, and every directory reads it automatically. You submit the show once, then keep publishing. New episodes usually appear within a few hours.
Can I be listed in a directory without my own website?
Yes. You only need an RSS feed from a podcast host. A website helps with search and trust later, but it is not required to be listed.
Are Goodpods and Castbox worth it for a small show?
Yes, they are free and they give new listeners another way to find you. Goodpods in particular is friendly to small and independent shows. It takes about ten minutes to claim your page.
Will being in more directories get me more downloads?
It helps, because it removes the barrier for listeners who use other apps. It will not replace promotion, though. Think of directories as open doors, and your sharing as what brings people to them.
Your Show Can Be Found Anywhere
Think back to the start. Two apps are not the whole world, and a listener you never met is probably searching somewhere you have not listed yet.
Take one hour this week. Copy your feed, submit it to the big four, then add two more directories that fit your audience. Which one will you add first?
Resources that I recommend
Here are some of the resources that I recommended in this episode and the ones that I recommend in Podcasting.
- Ubersuggest – The Keyword research tool that I recommend
Below are the tools that I recommend for podcasting:
- Buzzsprout – Podcast hosting
- Behringer Audio Interface – You will need an audio interface if you are using an XLR microphone. This is my recommended audio interface.
- Behringer Audio Interface (budget option) – A lower-cost alternative if you're just starting out and want to keep costs down.
- Riverside – Riverside is my pick for recording interviews, audio or video. It records each person on their own device, so a shaky connection on either end never ends up in the episode.
- Audacity – This is the best and most feature-rich free audio editing software. It gives you a lot of options while editing your interviews.
- Samson Q2U – My recommended microphone
- Audio Technica ATR-2110x – My recommended alternative microphone
- TidyCal – My recommended calendar and booking solutions
Thank you for joining in
I hope you enjoyed the information that I shared in this episode.
Do subscribe to the show on your favorite podcasting platform in order to stay updated with the latest episodes that I release.
The Podcasting University is available on almost all podcasting platforms. The link to the prominent ones are mentioned below –
Planning to start a podcast?
Then you might want to join my "7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge".
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