How to Submit your Podcast to Google Podcasts: Full Guide 2024

What Is Google Podcasts?

Google Podcasts is an app where users can explore podcast content and listen to shows on mobile or desktop devices. Because of the growing popularity of the podcast genre, Google created a solution specifically for distributing podcast content. Podcasters can get their show placed on the platform by submitting their RSS feed to Google via their Podcast Manager. We’ll provide instructions for how to get a podcast listed on the platform later in the article. 

How Do I Find and Listen to Podcasts on Google?

Google Podcasts has a simple user interface that makes it easy for anyone to find and listen to podcasts. You can use the app’s Explore tab to browse podcasts by categories that include topics like news, culture, education, and business. Under the explore tab you can also search for podcasts by name or content type. 

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You can access podcasts from the Home or Explore tabs to listen to them. Under each episode, there are controls to listen, queue, or download the content. Google Podcast’s playback controls allow you to rewind, fast forward, pause, and adjust playback speed, and are all easy to navigate from the playback screen. 

Is Google Podcasts Free?

Google Podcasts is totally free to use. This is true for both listeners and podcasters. Creators can get their content distributed through Google Podcasts for no charge. 

Is Google Podcasts Right for Your Podcast?

Are you considering placing your show on Google Podcasts? It’s a good idea to get your podcast on as many podcast directories as possible so your listeners can find it wherever they prefer to enjoy content. Google Podcasts has some great features, especially considering it’s a free service, but the platform does have some limitations. We’ll explain the advantages and disadvantages of using Google Podcasts for your content.  

Advantages of Google Podcasts for Podcasters

Google Podcasts is a great platform to help your content reach more listeners. Using the platform’s built-in tools and easy update features, you can grow your audience and make sure your show is always accessible to your audience. Keep reading to learn more about the important advantages of putting your podcast on Google Podcasts. 

Audience Analytics 

Podcast analytics will give you a clear picture of the behavior and interests of listeners on the Google Podcasts App. Google Podcast Manager provides data on each of your podcast episodes you can use to improve your content. Analytics data includes info on how many listeners downloaded your show in a week, the total number of daily "meaningful plays" (a listener listening to five consecutive seconds), the average length of the episode listeners listened to, and more. 

For audience data to be recorded, you have to turn on Viewer permissions for your podcast and it usually takes a day or two for data to display on Google Podcast Manager. Google stores episode data for up to 16 months for your review. 

Extend Your Reach

When you submit your podcast to Google, you'll become discoverable in Google search results and Google Podcast Manager will provide you with info to help you extend your reach. You can use data provided by Google to learn how people search for and discover your show to improve your SEO. 

Easy Podcast Updates 

Updating your podcast information can be a pain depending on your hosting platform. Google Podcast Manager makes updating your show's information simple and you can even request for Google to recrawl your feed to make sure all your information has been updated correctly. You can easily change your RSS feed, your logo, your show's description, and more.

Podcast Indexing

Your podcast RSS feed and homepage have to be indexed by Google so they can appear in search results. Indexing occurs when Google "crawls" the internet to find and store content. Once your podcast is indexed, episodes of your show will appear in search results with relevant terms. Indexing can take a couple of days to a few weeks, but you can speed up the process by requesting Google to index your show by submitting a request through the Google Podcasts Manager.

Free to Use

Running a podcast can be expensive and equipment, software, and hosting fees will quickly add up. Google Podcasts is free to use and a great solution for podcasters looking to cut down on costs. Google Podcasts allows you to manage your show and use analytics to understand your audience and improve your content—all free of charge.

Disadvantages of Google Podcasts for Podcasters

Even though Google Podcasts has many great features, there are some drawbacks to using the platform for your content. However, these disadvantages aren’t really dealbreakers (unless you host a video podcast) and we’d still recommend checking out Google Podcasts. As always, we recommend listing your podcast in as many places as possible. Keep reading to learn more about some of the disadvantages of Google Podcasts for podcasters. 

No Video Features 

Before you submit to Google Podcasts, you should know the platform doesn't support video. If you already host a show that uses video or you might plan to in the future, you won't be able to upload video episodes to Google Podcasts. This could be because Google owns YouTube and prefers video creators to use that platform for their content.

No Desktop Downloads 

The Google Podcasts app does not allow desktop downloads, which limits how your audience can access your content. If your audience members are using a laptop or desktop computer to listen to your show, they'll need an internet connection. Some listeners prefer to download podcast episodes so they can experience them whenever. Losing this convenience may mean you lose some listeners.  

Bad Smart Screen Integration

Many people use smart devices like Google Nest to listen to music, podcasts, and more around the house. Surprisingly, Google Podcasts does not have features that integrate well with smart devices like the Nest. Listeners who use these types of devices may be turned off to using Google Podcasts because there are very limited voice commands and the controls aren't intuitive. 

Google Podcasts Compared to Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Google, Apple, and Spotify all have apps you can use to distribute your podcast to your audience. We’ll cover some areas of these apps and explain how each will affect how subscribers and potential new listeners can find and access your content. 

User Interface: Google Podcasts has a simple interface that makes it easy for users to explore and listen to content. Users navigate the app using the Home, Explore, and Activity tabs and current subscribers can quickly and easily access your show via the Home tab. 

Apple Podcasts isn’t as easy to navigate as Google Podcasts, and users have to do a lot of scrolling to access content because of the way content displays—large thumbnails dominate much of the navigation. The navigation features aren’t intuitive and the Browse and Library tabs can be difficult to navigate. 

Spotify was not made specifically for podcasts, but rather for listening to music. This means that it can be a little trickier navigating if your users are trying to access your content. Users who listen to certain podcasts frequently can find them in the "Your shows'' section in the Home tab. 

Show Discoverability: Google Podcasts makes it easy for new listeners to find your show in the Explore section. Here, users can see new shows under the For You tab that are recommended based on their listening history. The app has search features that make it easy for your audience to find your show and since the platform is only for podcasts, they won't have to scroll through a bunch of music-related content returned in search results. 

Apple Podcasts has a section of featured shows and a section where potential new listeners can find your show by browsing different categories. When trying to use the search features, users have to be very specific with their terms and may not be able to find your show as easily. 

Spotify has a section dedicated to podcasts where users can browse and search shows based on topic, which is how new listeners will be able to find your content. It also has search features, but the returned results will also include music and it's not effective for browsing for new podcast content.

Episode Downloads: Google Podcasts and Spotify are very comparable in the area of episode downloads. Your listeners will be able to download episodes on mobile devices for offline listening on both platforms. Neither platform currently supports episode downloads on the desktop app, so your audience will need an internet connection to listen to your show from desktop devices.  

Apple Podcasts supports downloads on mobile and desktop devices, so your listeners can access your content from any device, regardless if they have an internet connection. 

Device Compatibility: All three apps are currently available on desktop and for download for iOs and Android devices.

How Do I Get My Podcast Listed on Google?

Listing your content on Google Podcasts will help you reach a wider audience and you can use the platform’s analytics tools to expand your reach. Before submitting your show to Google Podcast, make sure it meets all of the necessary requirements. Below, we explain Google’s requirements for having your show listed and provide a walkthrough for how to submit your RSS feed to have your show placed on Google Podcasts. 

What are Google Podcasts’ Requirements?

When adding a podcast to Google Play or Google Podcasts, there are certain requirements it must meet to appear on the platform. Before you submit to Google Podcasts, make sure your show follows these guidelines: 

Access to your RSS feed: Your RSS feed can't contain login requirements, tags, or anything else that might prevent Google from reading it. This means you can’t add custom or private feeds to Google Podcasts. 

Episode requirements: Your podcast can't be listed if you don't have any content. Make sure you have at least one episode of your show online before submitting your RSS feed to Google.

Image requirements: You must provide a podcast cover image for your show when you submit a podcast to Google Play. Make sure you have one ready to go before attempting to get your program listed.

Audio file requirements: To be added to Google Podcasts, your RSS feed must contain audio file names that include the format extension. Audio formats currently supported by the platform are m4a, mp3, ogg, and wav. Google Podcasts does not support video files. 

RSS feed requirements: Your RSS feed must meet Google standards in order for them to list your podcast. Your feed already probably meets these requirements and all of this should be handled by your podcast host. If you manage your feed yourself, it must include your podcast image, podcast description, your email address, and a link to your podcast's homepage. 

No Mixed Protocols: Make sure your feed contains only HTTP or HTTPS. Don't mix URLs across your feed, homepage, and audio files. Google recommends that all of these things be served from addresses with HTTPS. 

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How to Submit a Podcast to Google Podcasts

Getting your podcast on Google Podcasts is a simple process that doesn’t take much time. Below, we provide instructions with screenshots to show you how to submit a podcast to Google Podcasts.

Step 1: Locate your podcast RSS feed and copy it

Access your podcast host to find the RSS feed for your show. Each hosting site is different, but they all make it easy to find your RSS feed for easy distribution. Once you’ve located your feed, copy it so that you can provide it to Google in step 3. 

Step 2: Access Google Podcast Manager

Open Google Podcast Manager. If your podcast is connected to a Google email address, log in to your account to make the verification process more streamlined. Select the “Start now” button to be taken to the screen where you can start the verification process.   

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Step 3: Provide Google with your show’s RSS feed

Find the RSS feed you copied from your podcast host in step 1. Paste your RSS feed information in the “Enter RSS feed URL” field and click the “Next step” button. 

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Step 4: Verify your RSS feed with Google

If the Google account you’re logged in to is the account associated with your podcast, Google will instantly verify your feed and no further action is needed. You’ll have to take a couple of additional steps if your podcast is connected to a different email address. Open the email Google sends to the email address associated with your podcast and follow the steps there to complete the verification process. 

List Your Podcast on the Google Podcasts App

To make sure your podcast gets as much exposure as possible, use Google Podcasts for your content distribution. The Google Podcasts app has great analytics tools that are free to help improve your audience and expand your reach. Though there are some disadvantages to the platform, they’re outweighed by the advantages and it’s always good to have your content available in as many places as possible. 

FAQs on Google Podcasts

Do you still want to learn more about how to submit your podcast to Google Play? Keep reading for more information about Google Podcast for podcasters and to find out more about adding a podcast to Google Podcasts. 

How does Google Podcasts work?

Google Podcasts is Google’s standalone solution for allowing users to listen to podcasts. It has Android and iOS compatibility and provides listeners with the opportunity to experience their favorite podcasts from any device. Podcasters can get their shows listed on Google Podcasts by submitting their RSS feed. Read the above article for step-by-step instructions on how to upload a podcast to Google Podcasts. 

Is Google Podcasts monetized?

Google Podcasts does not currently provide opportunities to make money in the way other podcast platforms do. This is probably because Google owns YouTube, which has huge money-making potential for creators. If podcast monetization is at the top of your list, be sure to submit your podcast to as many platforms as possible and check the monetization options your host offers.

How Do I Upload a Podcast to Google Podcasts?

The best way to get your podcast on Google Podcasts is to submit your RSS feed and verify ownership via the Podcast Manager. We explain in the article above how to complete these steps to add a podcast to Google Podcasts. 

How Long Does it Take for a Podcast to Show up on Google Podcasts?

It will take up to six days for your podcast to show up in Google Podcasts if you use Google Podcast Manager. Podcast Manager will allow you to verify ownership of your show and request for it to appear on Google Podcasts. Without Google Podcast Manager, your show gets added to Google during its crawling and indexing process. This can take up to a couple of weeks. Review your podcast host's policies for having your show listed on Google after you publish it.

Where Does Google Show Your Podcast?

Once you submit your RSS feed to Google Podcasts and your show is indexed, listeners will be able to find it in the Google Podcast App on mobile and desktop devices. It will also be discoverable via normal Google searches. Read more about how to submit to Google Podcasts in the above article.

How Do I Submit an RSS Feed to Google Podcasts?

Submitting an RSS feed to Google is accomplished in a few simple steps. Check out the section in the above article for a step-by-step guide to Google Podcast RSS feed submission.  

Is Google Podcasts Shutting Down?

Google Podcasts is not shutting down, but Google has made some changes to how podcasts are accessed and managed. The Google Play Podcast Portal has been permanently shut down and replaced with the Google Podcast Manager.