With over 100 million listeners in 2023, Spotify for Creators is one of the best podcast hosting platforms in the world. You may have known this for years and maybe even considered launching a show there once or twice, but never quite felt ready to hit record…..
Until now.
This guide explains the step-by-step process required to start a podcast on Spotify for Creators. It covers hardware and software, Spotify’s audiovisual spec requirements, and how to optimize for Spotify’s Discovery feed so you can build a podcast audience.
- Getting Started with Spotify for Creators
- The Bottom Line on How to Start a Podcast on Spotify
Getting Started with Spotify for Creators
It’s easy to see what makes Spotify for Creators so popular: you don’t need to pay monthly fees to get started, and you don’t need to be a technical whiz to make a successful show. It’s also simple to use for podcasters from any background, regardless of experience, audience size, or income.
There are other benefits to podcasting on Spotify:
- It’s 100% free, which you can’t say about every podcast host. Rather than paying a monthly fee, you can upload as many audiovisual files as you’d like for $0 per month.
- Spotify for Creators comes with built-in monetization tools for ads, sponsorships, and subscription content. Just keep in mind you might need to meet certain requirements to qualify for particular monetization ‘vehicles.’
- Spotify supports both audio and video production, which allows you to upgrade your podcast from audio to video and take advantage of other monetization opportunities.
These, among other reasons, make Spotify the perfect platform for newer shows. All that’s left is to bring your show to life.
Let’s take a look at what needs to happen to do this, starting with a step-by-step guide to getting your podcast off the ground.
1. Pre-Launch Preparation
Before diving deeper into Spotify for Creators, you’ll first need to construct your podcast concept. This means developing the topic, format, and length based on what you want to cover and what your audience might want to see.
Next is acquiring your equipment essentials: a microphone, audio interface or podcast mixer, a pair of headphones, and a podcast laptop. Of course, if you plan to branch into video production, you may need to purchase additional tools. We have dedicated guides to podcast cameras and recording accessories for tools like greenscreens and soundproofing materials.
Don’t feel like sourcing individual pieces of equipment? You could always purchase everything at once in a podcast equipment bundle. Just keep in mind you may not be able to mix and match equipment, and as always, you get what you pay for.
💡Related: The Best Podcast Equipment Kits for Every Podcaster
Now that you have a strong concept and arsenal of tools, it’s time to begin the recording and production process. Not sure if you’re genuinely ready to launch? You can use our podcast launch checklist to get a better idea of your readiness.
2. Recording and Production Setup
The right podcast equipment allows you to record episodes in person, remotely, or in a hybrid setup (i.e., multiple in-person hosts and visiting guests). This might be a dedicated studio, or a soundproofed spare bedroom with extra carpeting. Even walk-in closets or isolation booths can help to boost the quality of your audio if you’re not recording video.
Speaking of recording, the next step is choosing recording software. You should know Spotify for Creators doesn’t come with built-in recording technology, so you’ll need to source podcast recording software to get up and running.
One of the most popular of these is Riverside.fm, which natively integrates with Spotify for Creators. But keep in mind it might not offer all the functionality you need (like in-depth editing tools), so you may need to purchase podcast editing software separately.
Regardless of the software you choose, be sure you’re recording within Spotify’s audio and video standards. These include:
| Container | Video | Audio |
| .MP4 or .MOV | H.264 or H.265 (HEVC) | AAC-LC or PCM |
| 1 video and 1 audio track | 1080p resolution | Bitrate of 192 Kbps or higher |
| Tracks must have same duration | 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio | Stereo |
| Recommended bitrate of 25 Mbps for HD, or 35 Mbps for 4K | Maximum bitrates of 25 Mbps for 1080p source, or 35 Mbps for 4k source | No surround/multi-channel audio |
| Use a fixed frame rate between 24 to 60 frames per second | 12 hours max | |
| Maximum duration of 12 hours | ||
| Use 8-bit color depth and 4:2:0 subsampling |
If editing your show yourself, you should expect to spend somewhere between 2 and 4 times the length of the recording to completely edit your podcast episode. This, however, is a generous rule of thumb. As long as you have clean audio and quality video, you shouldn’t need to worry about too much ‘tuning up’ in the background. Alternatively, you can save the hassle of learning a new skill and hire a professional editor.
Otherwise, you’ll need to be familiar with these basic editing techniques:
- Trimming filler words. These can clutter your audio and make your message less clear. You can cut them manually in your DAW (digital audio workstation) or use AI-powered tools like Descript or Hindenburg PRO.
- Fixing fuzzy audio. A quality mic and good recording environment are more than half the battle. You should also learn how to position your microphone ideally, place it around six inches away from your mouth at a slight angle. If all else fails, you can always improve poor audio quality with Adobe Enhance or similar tools.
- Cutting long pauses. Too-long periods of silence can feel awkward in podcasts. To fix this, you should edit out unnatural gaps between sentences and check to make sure all your speakers have consistent volume levels. Too-quiet audio could inadvertently sound like silence, which is easily addressed with a quick mic check-up.
- Adding intro and outro audio. This could be as simple as picking a theme song for your podcast or adding a 30-second summary of your show explaining who you are and what to expect. You can save completed intros and outros as snippets in your DAW so you can easily add ‘blocks’ into future audio productions.
- Syncing audio and video. This is especially important for multicam editing, which happens when you record a video podcast from more than one angle. You can use tools like Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere Pro to access timeline-based syncing, or opt for freemium platforms. But again, you might get what you pay for.
- Providing subtitles or closed captions. Platforms like Rev, YouTube Studio, or Premiere’s built-in transcription tools can help to improve reach, engagement, and accessibility for listeners of all kinds.
Pssst — feeling overwhelmed by all the editing steps required? It might make sense to consider outsourcing to a team of professional editors.
With your editing process now firmly in place, all that’s left is to record your episodes. The length of each episode is less important than the quality, but if you’re looking for a place to get started, start with 20 to 30-minute shows.
It may be worthwhile to record episodes in batches so you can maximize your time and stay consistent without weekly recording. For example, you can record your first few Spotify episodes up-front, then drip them out over time to build up a buffer of quality content.
3. Podcast Hosting and Distribution
Once you’ve recorded at least five episodes, it will be time to start uploading to Spotify for Creators.
Here’s what to know about the Spotify podcast submission process if you’re planning on using it as a solo podcast host.
- Start by creating a Spotify for Creators account. You can do this on the web or via the Spotify for Creators Android or iOS app. Keep in mind you can log in with an existing Spotify account, which might make the process faster if you’ve already created a client-side user.
- If you’ve signed up for a brand new account, simply tap Create a new show in the pop-up screen. Otherwise, in your web dashboard, tap New episode → Select a file. On the mobile app, tap Podcast → + → Select a file. If you are not using Spotify to host your show, tap Find an existing show to look up your podcast via RSS feed.
If you’re creating a new show: Add your show name, description, and creator name. You can also select its category and upload language.
Next, be sure to verify your email address. This will be important for logging in later on.
Next, tap on Publish an episode to navigate to the upload screen. You can upload audio or video content as an mp3, m4a, wav, mpg, mp4, or mov. If you don’t already have said content to upload, you can connect with Spotify’s Riverside integration to begin filming.
You can learn more about how The Podcast Consultant uses tools like Riverside here.
If you’re connecting an RSS feed: You can find your Spotify show’s RSS feed under Settings → Availability.
If you’re uploading a show from another RSS feed (i.e., one from Buzzsprout or Captivate), tap Find an existing show → Somewhere else.
Then, enter your podcast’s RSS feed.
You’ll have to enter an eight-digit verification code sent to your email address to verify ownership. When that’s all set, you’re ready to rumble.
Keep in mind, Spotify for Creators doesn’t have to be your podcast host, since you can always set up an account with platforms like Libsyn or Buzzsprout. However, doing this means you won’t be able to host video podcasts natively, which means you’d be stuck doing separate uploads for video integration on Spotify.
It also might be somewhat limiting as a podcast distribution platform. That said, choosing Spotify as your host and distributor may offer certain benefits you can’t get on other platforms.
We cover the rest of these nitty-gritty details in our guide to choosing a podcast hosting platform.
4. Optimizing for Spotify Discovery
Spotify for Creators offers something we’ll dub ‘Discovery feeds,’ which help users find new podcasts and content to enjoy. This is a powerful tool for growing your audience, but only if you know how to leverage it correctly.
Let’s look at some ways to optimize your podcast for discovery:
Clips and Previews
Spotify can help you reach new users by advertising ‘snippets’ through Discovery feeds. These feeds introduce new viewers to your subject matter and content via Clips (short vertical videos) and Previews (small snippets of your actual episode).
You’re required to upload Spotify Clips manually, which means you’re responsible for the editing process, as well as following all content guidelines and rules. You must also adhere to the following requirements:
- 15 to 90 seconds long max
- 1 GB size max
- .MP4 or .MOV
Spotify Previews can be generated with AI, which means you don’t need to spend time editing them yourself. You can enable them in your platform by:
- Tapping Settings
- Scrolling down to Only on Spotify
- Toggling Episode previews on and selecting your preview type
- Clicking Save
Creating Compelling Podcast Artwork
Spotify allows you to add podcast cover art by tapping Settings → About on the web app only. It recommends the following dos and don’ts for new podcasters:
- A dimensions ratio of 1:1 (like 1400×1400 or 3000×3000 pixels)
- Simple or minimalist colors
- Easy-to-read font
Of course, you may require a few additional tools, including Canva, Photoshop, or other similar platforms. You can learn more about the details in our guide to building your podcast brand.
Another piece of this puzzle is creating good thumbnails, which can help attract audiences and set the tone for what’s being discussed.
Spotify has the following requirements for podcast thumbnails:
- Horizontal
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- Suggested resolution of 1920 x 1080
Learn more about designing podcast artwork.
Writing Effective Descriptions
Episode descriptions can help you boost discoverability, give context to viewers, and ultimately drive engagement. A great description should tell listeners what to expect, tease key insights or guest highlights, and offer a reason to hit “play.”
Some pointers:
- Include relevant keywords near the top of your description.
- Break long paragraphs into digestible lines or bullets.
- End with a call-to-action, such as subscribing to your podcast, rating the show, or becoming a patron to watch a bonus episode.
Don’t forget to add links to your episode descriptions (think website, newsletter, guest profiles, or resources mentioned in the episode) to help audiences take action on these next steps.
Category Selection
Spotify lets you choose a single primary category for your show, which helps its machine learning algorithm recommend your show to the right listeners. It also helps your podcast show up in the search results more accurately. But remember: you only have one tag, so use it wisely.
Here’s how to get the most out of your category selection process:
- Try to get as specific as possible. For example, you might select ‘Investing’ instead of just ‘Business’ to better direct listeners to your show.
- Do your best not to overuse generic tags. Instead, consider focusing on keywords that your ideal listener would search for. Being hyper-niche and specific may be helpful here.
- Revisit your category choices periodically. If your content direction shifts, your category should reflect that.
This, however, is just the tip of the iceberg.
To make the most of ‘labelling’ yourself in Spotify, you may also want to:
- Enable transcripts and automatic chapter tagging
- Set a ‘Best Place to Start’ episode (automatically your most recent episode, but you can change this manually in your Settings)
- Content type (explicit or clean) to update ad and sponsorship opportunities
Advertise Your Show
If you have the money to spare, you can always advertise your podcast on Spotify. You’ll likely pay a set fee per view or interaction per month.
Just keep in mind it may be pricier than simply optimizing for Discovery feeds. It’s also not a silver bullet for growing your podcast audience, which is something that takes time regardless of your strategy.
Some lower-cost ways of advertising your show may include:
- Sharing your show on social media, like Facebook or LinkedIn
- Embedding a Spotify player on your podcast website
- Recommending content on your show page, which can help listeners and Spotify’s AI algorithm better understand where your show sits compared to others
5. Launching Strategies for Spotify
You’re almost ready to launch on Spotify. Now all you have left are the promotional details.
There are two sides to this equation: podcast marketing and podcast promotion. You’ll need both of these in tandem to build an initial audience.
Let’s break it down.
💡Related: Podcast Launch Guide
Podcast Marketing
Podcast marketing is the process of setting up your show for visibility, typically by capturing inbound traffic. The goal is to attract listeners to your show by creating high-quality content and putting it in places where it can be easily seen.
This includes:
- Creating a branded website or landing page with links to your Spotify episodes
- Sharing content snippets and audiograms on social media platforms
- Repurposing your content as blog posts that link back to each episode
- Building an email list and sending updates when new episodes drop
- Asking for ratings and reviews to bolster your Spotify search rankings
You can also rely on professional podcast marketing services from a trained team like The Podcast Consultant. We’ve got all the podcast services you need to get started, from launches and audits to fully delegated production processes.
Learn more about podcast marketing processes here.
Podcast Promotion
Unlike podcast marketing, podcast promotion is the process of reaching out to potential audience members and advertising your show. It’s more ‘on the nose’ compared to podcast marketing and uses a ‘push’, not ‘pull’ methodology to grow your audience.
There are a few different ways to handle podcast promotion on Spotify:
- Running paid ads (on Spotify or elsewhere) to promote flagship episodes
- Launch monthly campaigns with giveaways or collaborations
- Hosting guest swaps and cross-promotions with other podcasters
- Submitting your show via other podcast directories
- Collaborating with influencer shoutouts or UGC from superfans
If you do everything correctly and start seeing high engagement levels, you may even qualify for the Spotify Creator Milestone Awards.
The Bottom Line on How to Start a Podcast on Spotify
Spotify for Creators is an ideal platform for new podcasters: it’s simple, intuitive, and provides access to features that can grow your income and audience. But that’s not to say you need to be a brand-new creator to reap the benefits. Whether you’re a fast-growing show or a well-established brand, syndicating content to Spotify could take your show to the next level.
Not ready to get started? Here are more resources to help you take a step in the right direction.