Podcast show notes are the written page that sits next to your episode, and most beginners treat them like homework they can do later.
Here is why that is a mistake. Podcast show notes are a short written summary of an episode, with links. They help a listener decide to press play. They also help Google understand what your episode is about. They take about 15 minutes to write. They keep working for years.
I learned this in an uncomfortable way. Early in my podcasting life, I published an episode that almost nobody downloaded. Six months later, someone found it through a Google search, emailed me, and hired me for a $2,000 project. That email only happened because Google had something to find. A search engine cannot listen to audio the way a person does.
So in this guide, I will give you a plain template you can copy today. I will show you what goes in show notes, what does not, and how they differ from your episode description. You will not need any special tools.
What Are Podcast Show Notes (and Why Do They Matter)?
Direct answer: Podcast show notes are the text that accompanies a podcast episode. They usually include a summary, key points, links, and a call to action. They help listeners and search engines understand your episode before they press play.
Think of a movie trailer, but in writing. A listener scrolling a podcast app has maybe five seconds. Your show notes are the thing they read in those five seconds.
There are two jobs show notes do at the same time:
- For humans: They answer "Is this episode for me?" and give quick access to links mentioned in the show.
- For search engines: They give Google real words to read, since Google cannot listen to your audio the way a person does.
Both jobs matter. Most beginners only think about the first one.
Show notes vs. episode description: what is the difference?
This confuses almost everyone, so let me define both.
The episode description is the short text that appears in podcast apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It is entered into your hosting platform. Your podcast host is the service that stores your audio files and sends them to the apps. Examples include Acast and Buzzsprout.
The show notes are the longer, richer version, usually published on your own website as a blog post. They can include headings, links, images, and a transcript.
Here is the simplest way to remember it:
- Episode description = short, lives inside the podcast app, about 100 to 300 words.
- Show notes = longer, lives on your website, anywhere from 300 to 1,500 words.
You can use the same core text for both. You just trim it for the app.
What Should Go in Your Podcast Show Notes?
Direct answer: Good show notes include a one-sentence hook and a short summary. Add a bulleted list of what the episode covers, links to everything you mentioned, and one clear next step. Keep it scannable.
Let me walk through each part. I will keep this practical, because I know you want to finish your notes today.
Part one: the hook sentence
Your first sentence should say who the episode is for and what they will get. Do not start with "In this episode, we talk about." That wastes your best line.
Compare these two:
- Weak: "In this episode, we discuss microphones."
- Strong: "If you are about to buy your first podcast microphone and feel stuck, this episode saves you from the most common mistake."
The second one makes a promise to a specific person. That is what gets a click.
Part two: the short summary
Write two to four sentences about the story or argument of the episode. Use plain language. Include your main topic phrase once, naturally.
This is your search engine paragraph. It tells Google what the page is about, so mention the topic the way a listener would type it.
Part three: what the episode covers
Use a bulleted list of three to six points. Each point is a promise. Listeners love lists because they can scan them in seconds.
Make each bullet a real idea, not a vague label. "Why your first ten episodes matter" beats "Introduction."
Part four: links and resources
List every tool, article, book, or person you mentioned. Use descriptive link text, like Audacity, not a pasted web address.
If any links are affiliate links, add a short disclosure. It is honest, and in many countries it is also required.
Part five: timestamps (optional)
Timestamps are small time markers, like "04:30 Why consistency beats perfection." They help listeners jump to the part they want.
Add them if your episode is longer than 20 minutes. Skip them for short episodes.
Part six: one call to action
Give the listener one next step. Not four. One. It might be to subscribe, download a free guide, or join a challenge.
Pick the thing that moves them forward most. Too many choices means they choose nothing.
The Simple Podcast Show Notes Template (Copy and Fill In)
Direct answer: Here is a fill-in template you can copy for any episode. Replace the brackets with your own words, then publish.
I use this structure on The Podcasting University. You can adapt it to your own show.
EPISODE TITLE: [Clear promise, with your topic phrase in it]
HOOK: [One sentence. Who is this for? What do they get?]
SUMMARY: [2 to 4 sentences. The story or main argument of the episode.]
WHAT I COVER IN THIS EPISODE:
- [Point one]
- [Point two]
- [Point three]
- [Point four]
LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED:
- [Tool or article one] - [one line on why]
- [Tool or article two] - [one line on why]
TIMESTAMPS (optional):
00:00 [Intro]
03:15 [First big idea]
08:40 [Second big idea]
NEXT STEP: [One clear call to action with a link]
SUBSCRIBE: [Short line + links to Apple Podcasts, Spotify]
That is it. If you fill in every bracket, you have professional show notes.
A real example of the structure in action
The show notes on this very blog follow that pattern. Each episode page opens with a short story. Next comes a bulleted list of what the episode covers. After that come a few recommended tools, and finally a link to the 7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge.
You can see the whole structure on any recent episode page on this site. The point is not the exact wording. It is the order. Hook, summary, bullets, links, one next step.
How to Write Podcast Show Notes Fast (15 Minutes or Less)
Direct answer: Write your show notes right after recording, while the episode is fresh. Use your outline or script as the starting point, then trim it. A rough draft takes about 10 minutes.
Most people procrastinate because they treat show notes as a separate writing project. They are not. They are a trimmed copy of work you already did.
Your 6-step fast workflow
- Open the outline or script you used for the episode.
- Copy your main points into the "What I cover" bullets.
- Write the hook sentence last. It is easier once you know the content.
- Write the two-to-four sentence summary in your own voice.
- Add every link you mentioned out loud.
- Add one call to action and publish.
If you have never recorded a script, jot down your five main points in bullet form before you record. Those bullets become your show notes.
Use a transcript if you have one
A transcript is the full word-for-word text of your episode. Many editing tools can generate one automatically. Descript is one option that does this while you edit.
You do not have to paste the whole transcript into your show notes. But reading it back makes finding your key points quick. It also helps with accessibility, since people who cannot listen can still read your episode.
Show Notes and SEO: What Google Actually Reads
Direct answer: Google reads the text on your episode page. It does not listen to your audio. A clear title, a summary with your topic phrase, and scannable headings tell Google what the page covers.
SEO means search engine optimization. It is the practice of writing so that search engines can understand and show your page. You do not need to be an expert. A few habits cover most of it.
Habit one: put your topic phrase in the title
Your episode title is the strongest signal. If the episode is about choosing a microphone, say that in the title. For help with this, read my guide on writing an ultimate podcast episode title.
Habit two: use your topic phrase once or twice in the summary
Write it the way a person would search. Do not stuff it in ten times. Once or twice, naturally, is plenty.
Habit three: use headings
A heading is a title for a section, like the ones on this page. Headings make the page easier to scan. They also help Google see the structure.
Habit four: link to related episodes
Linking to your own older episodes helps listeners find more of your show. It also helps search engines see how your pages connect.
Habit five: write your own words
Do not copy and paste another site's text. Write it yourself. Your voice is what makes a listener stay.
If you want a deeper look at how people find shows, my guide to ways to promote your podcast covers search and several other routes.
Common Show Notes Mistakes (and Quick Fixes)
Direct answer: The most common mistakes are writing too little, skipping links, burying the main point, and writing for yourself instead of the listener. Each one has a quick fix.
This is the troubleshooting list. I see these constantly.
Mistake one: one line of text and nothing else
"Episode 12. Thanks for listening." This tells nobody anything. Add the hook, summary, and bullets.
Mistake two: a wall of text
A giant paragraph is hard to scan on a phone. Break it up with bullets and short paragraphs. Two or three lines per paragraph is a good limit.
Mistake three: forgetting the links
If you mentioned a tool, link it. Otherwise listeners have to search for it themselves, and many will not bother.
Mistake four: no next step
Without a clear call to action, the listener finishes the episode and drifts away. Give one next step.
Mistake five: writing show notes before you know the episode
Writing them in advance, then changing the episode, leaves mismatched notes. Write them after recording.
Mistake six: skipping show notes for "just this once"
Missing one is fine. Missing six in a row means your catalog is invisible to search. Build the 15-minute habit instead.
Where to Publish Your Show Notes
Direct answer: Publish the full show notes on your own website, and a shorter version in the episode description inside your podcast host. Your website holds the long version that Google can find.
Here is the simple setup.
- Record and edit the episode.
- Upload it to your podcast host. Hosts like Acast let you paste a description with the episode.
- Publish a full show notes page on your website with the same audio embedded.
- Link the two pages together where you can.
If you are still choosing a host, my guide to the best podcast host walks through the options for beginners.
One more tip for Apple Podcasts. The description field accepts basic formatting, such as paragraphs and links. Apple Podcasts Connect is where you can check how your show appears there.
Before and After: One Weak Entry, One Strong Entry
Direct answer: A weak entry says almost nothing, while a strong entry gives the listener a reason to press play. The difference is about ten minutes of work.
Seeing the gap helps more than any rule, so here is a made-up pair for an episode about choosing a first microphone.
The weak version
"Episode 14. Today we talk about microphones. Thanks for listening."
That is 10 words. It tells a listener nothing, and it gives Google almost nothing to read.
The strong version
"Standing in a shop with five microphones and no idea which to pick? This episode saves you from the most common first-microphone mistake.
I explain the difference between a USB and an XLR microphone in plain words. Then I give you one simple rule for deciding in under five minutes."
Then comes a short bullet list of what the episode covers, two linked tools, and one next step. Notice that it names the person, the problem, and the payoff.
Why the strong version wins
It speaks to one reader. It uses the topic phrase the way a person would search for it. It also gives a clear reason to listen, which helps when someone is scrolling a busy app.
You can copy that shape for any topic. Swap in your own problem and your own payoff.
Your Pre-Publish Checklist
Before you hit publish, run through this short list:
- The first sentence names who the episode is for.
- The summary uses your topic phrase once or twice.
- You have three to six bullets of what the episode covers.
- Every tool or resource you mentioned is linked.
- There is exactly one clear next step.
- The paragraphs are short enough to read on a phone.
- You added a timestamp list if the episode is over 20 minutes.
Print it. Stick it by your computer. It saves you from the six mistakes above.
Your Next Step: Make Show Notes Part of Launch Day
Direct answer: Write your show notes as part of your launch routine, not as an afterthought. Treat them as one of the assets you prepare before your first episode goes live.
Here is a pattern I see all the time. A beginner records an episode, uploads it, and then stares at a blank description box at midnight. They paste one sentence and hit publish. Nothing about that episode is easy to find later.
Day 6 of the 7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge fixes exactly this. It is the launch assets day, where you prepare your title, description, and show notes before you publish. You do the work in order, so launch day is calm.
Which part of your next episode will you write first?
Transcripts and Accessibility: A Quiet Bonus of Good Show Notes
Direct answer: Written show notes make your episode available to people who cannot listen. That includes people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and people reading in a place where audio is not possible.
This is an easy point to overlook, and it matters. Your audience is wider than the people with headphones on.
Good show notes also help listeners who simply prefer reading. Some people skim the notes first and then decide to listen. Others read the notes, get the answer they needed, and subscribe later.
A simple way to add a transcript
If you use an editing tool that creates a transcript, paste the cleaned version at the bottom of your post. Put it under a heading like "Full Transcript" so it does not crowd the top of the page.
You do not have to polish every line. Fix the names, the product titles, and any obvious errors. Readers will forgive small slips in a spoken transcript.
Keep the top of the page clean
Your hook, summary, and bullets should always come first. The transcript is a reference, not the main event. Think of it as the extra material a curious reader can open if they want.
Done this way, your show notes serve three groups at once. They are listeners in an app, readers on your website, and search engines trying to understand your page.
Listen to the Podcast Episode
Ever stared at an empty description box at midnight and pasted in one sentence? In Episode 218 I walk through how to write podcast descriptions and show notes that make strangers press play. I also share the story of a barely downloaded episode that led to a $2,000 project six months later, thanks to a Google search.
What I cover in this episode:
- The difference between your episode description and your show notes
- The simple order I use: hook, summary, bullets, links, one next step
- Why your first sentence matters more than the rest
- How to write the way people search without stuffing keywords
- How to finish your show notes in about 15 minutes
Tools I recommend:
- Descript – Gives you a transcript while you edit, which makes show notes much faster
- Buzzsprout – Podcast hosting where you paste your episode description
- Riverside – My pick for recording interviews, audio or video
Planning to start a podcast? Then join my 7-Day Podcast Launch Challenge. Day 6 walks you through your launch assets, including your title and description.
FAQ
What are podcast show notes?
Podcast show notes are the written summary that goes with an episode. They usually include a hook, a short summary, a list of topics, and links to resources. They help listeners decide to press play and help Google understand the page.
What is the difference between show notes and a podcast description?
The description is the short text inside podcast apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Show notes are the longer version, usually published on your website. You can write one core text and trim it for the description.
How long should podcast show notes be?
For most episodes, between 300 and 800 words is plenty. A short solo episode can use fewer. A long interview with timestamps and a transcript may go beyond 1,000 words.
Do podcast show notes help with SEO?
Yes. Google cannot listen to audio the way a person does, so it relies on the text around your episode. A clear title, summary, and headings help your page show up in search.
What should I include in podcast show notes?
Include a one-sentence hook, a two-to-four sentence summary, bulleted topics, links to everything you mentioned, and one call to action. Add timestamps for episodes longer than 20 minutes.
How long does it take to write show notes?
About 10 to 15 minutes once you have a template. Writing them right after recording is faster because the episode is fresh in your mind.
Should I put a transcript in my show notes?
It is optional but useful. A transcript helps readers who cannot listen and gives search engines more text. You can add it below your show notes or link to it.
Where should I publish my show notes?
Publish the full version on your own website and a shorter version in your podcast host's description field. The website version is the one Google reads in full.
Do I need a different description for every episode?
Yes. Each episode needs its own unique description and show notes. Copying the same text across episodes confuses both listeners and search engines.
Can I use AI to write my show notes?
You can use tools to draft a summary from a transcript. Always read and edit the result in your own voice. Listeners can tell when text sounds generic.
Final Thought
That one email, six months after an ignored episode, came from a page Google could read. Show notes are quiet work, but they keep paying you back. Fill in the template once, and your next episode already has a head start.
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".
Disclaimer: Some of these links above are affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase from the links above, I will earn a small commission from your purchase at no extra cost to you. Also, The Podcasting University is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
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