Podcast Distribution Platforms: Expand Your Audience Reach

July 3, 2025

thepodcastconsultant

15 min read

podcasting

Maybe you’re looking to get new ears on your podcast, or maybe your existing podcast host doesn’t offer enough distribution features. Either way, you’re on the market for a podcast distribution platform — and you’re ready to make the most of your RSS feed.

To help you make an informed decision, we’re breaking down the best podcast distribution platforms here. We explain each platform’s submission processes, requirements, and features, then show how best to complement your approach with a step-by-step strategy guide.

But first:

What is Podcast Distribution?
- So How Do I Generate an RSS Feed?
- Distribution vs. Hosting: Key Differences
Top Podcast Distribution Platforms
Your Podcast Distribution Strategy Guide
The Bottom Line on Podcast Distribution Platforms

What is Podcast Distribution?

Podcast distribution is the process of pushing your content from your podcast host to a front-facing tool. This is done by condensing all your show’s information — think audio, title, and artwork — into an XML file that the distributor can read.

This XML file is typically referred to as an RSS feed, which stands for Really Simple Syndication. Since the data gets updated in real time, audiences can instantly catch new episodes of your podcast in every app with the RSS feed attached (like Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio).

This checklist gives a simple overview of things to consider when picking a podcast hosting solution.

So How Do I Generate an RSS Feed?

There are two different ways to make an RSS feed: build one on your own or partner with a podcast hosting platform. If you choose to build an RSS, you may need to learn specific coding languages or tools. You could also purchase a low-cost RSS tool such as RSS.com, although it might be more cost-effective to purchase a podcast host with extra bells and whistles for the same price.

Every podcast host will have a different process for creating an RSS feed. Some require you to enable the feed, while others might generate one automatically.

Either way, let’s take a closer look so you’re better prepared for the process:

Choose a podcast hosting platform. We cover quite a few below to help you get started.
Upload your first podcast episode. Most distribution platforms require at least one episode before generating an RSS feed.
Fill out the fine details. This includes adding a title, description, podcast art, category tags, author names, and possibly more, depending on your host.
Locate your RSS feed link. In your hosting platform of choice, look for a section like RSS Feed or Distribution. This will likely contain a unique RSS link to your feed.
Copy and submit your RSS feed. Once you have your RSS link, you can submit your podcast to directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.

Depending on your podcast host, you might automatically distribute your show to multiple platforms. A few of the most popular include Podbean and Buzzsprout, which offer instant submissions in just one click.

Learn more about choosing a podcast hosting platform.

Distribution vs. Hosting: Key Differences

Learn about the top podcast distribution platforms to ensure your podcast is available everywhere.

Podcast hosting and podcast distribution are two very different things. You might hear people use the terms interchangeably, but there are several key differences worth considering here.

Podcast hosting platforms, for example, are places where you publish podcasts. You upload, store, and create RSS feeds that help people find your podcast online.

Podcast distribution platforms, on the other hand, are primarily directories or apps that list and play podcasts. These are front-facing tools designed for audiences rather than creators, which means you won’t need access to tools like analytics.

Here’s a quick chart breaking this down:

Features	Hosting Platforms	Distribution Platforms
Primary Function	Store audio files and generate RSS feeds (backend)	Provide access to podcasts for listeners (frontend
Storage	✔️	❌
RSS Feed	Creates and maintains RSS	Reads and displays content from RSS
Audience Analytics	✔️	❌
Monetization Tools	Usually offers integrations, subscriptions, and donations	May or may not provide direct monetization
Customization	Episode scheduling, show notes, artwork, etc	Minimal (based on platform)

Keep in mind that there are all-in-one podcast platforms designed for hosting and distributing your show. This allows you to automatically submit your feed to distributors without having to switch between platforms or manually upload one feed at a time.

So what does all this mean for you?

If you have a host-only service, you’ll have to manually submit your RSS feed to distribution platforms. If you use a distribution-only service, you’re simply listing your podcast for search and discoverability. If you use a combined service, you get the best of both worlds, although you’ll usually pay a higher price tag for convenience.

Top Podcast Distribution Platforms

So, how do the best podcast distribution platforms line up side-by-side?

Here’s a quick overview to get the details at a glance:

Platform	Best For	Listener Base	Monetization Options
Apple Podcasts	Wide reach	28.5 million	Apple Podcasters Program (paid subscriptions)
Spotify	Hosting and distribution	615 million	Podcast Subscriptions, Listener Support, Ads
YouTube Podcasts	Search visibility	1 billion	YouTube ads, channel membership
Amazon Music	Amazon ecosystem listeners	80 million	Amazon Ads, Sponsorships
iHeartRadio	Multi-platform distribution	128 million	❌
Overcast	Apple Podcast users	28.5 million	❌ (supports Apple Podcast subscriptions)
Pocket Casts	Featured placements	1 million	❌

Now, let’s look a little closer at the best distribution platforms, starting with the first entry on our list:

Apple Podcasts: Best for wide reach

Everything you need to know about podcast hosting platforms.

Listener Base: 28.5 million
Monetization Options: Apple Podcasters Program (paid subscriptions)
Submission Requirements: Apple Podcasts Creator account; RSS tags; At least one episode; Podcast Artwork

As one of the biggest distribution channels for podcasts worldwide, it’s hard to pass up a platform like Apple Podcasts. You can publish episodes manually or upload your RSS feed automatically, then join the Apple Podcasters Program if you’re looking for extra revenue.

It takes eight steps to submit your show to Apple Podcasts:

On podcasters.apple.com, scroll down and tap Submit a new show.
Sign in with your Apple ID. If you don’t have one yet, visit account.apple.com/account to make one.
Scroll down and select Add Show.
You’ll see two options: add your show with an RSS feed, or add your show manually. Select the one you wish to use and tap next.
If you’re using an RSS feed, copy/paste it from your host and enter it into the on-screen text box. Tap Add.
After a few minutes, refresh the page to see the RSS information retrieved. Make sure this looks correct before continuing.
Enter the information required.
When you’re ready, tap Submit.

Just keep in mind that Apple Podcasts has strict requirements for uploading RSS feeds and individual shows. Plus, paid subscriptions only net 70% to 85% of the cost — Apple takes the other 30% to 35% of your revenue.

💡Related: Make Your Podcast Profitable

Spotify: Best for hosting and distribution

Spotify for Creators is one of the best podcast hosting platforms.

Listener Base: 615 million
Monetization Options: Podcast Subscriptions; Listener Support; Ads
Submission Requirements: Size and format requirements; Artwork; Title, image, and description

You probably don’t need much of an introduction to Spotify: it’s one of the most popular platforms for listening to music. Its podcast platform, Spotify for Creators, supports tens of thousands of podcasts, including support for video podcasts (which is still relatively rare at this point).

With this in mind, here’s how to submit your podcast to Spotify:

Log into your existing Spotify for Creators account or sign up at podcasters.spotify.com. Note that your personal Spotify account won’t allow you to upload podcasts directly.
You’ll see two options: I want to start a podcast, or I have a podcast. Since we’re assuming you already have an existing RSS feed, tap the latter.
Be sure you have the right information on your podcast hosting site. For successful RSS distribution, Spotify needs:
1. An audio MP3 file under 200 MB
2. 1400p x 1400p podcast artwork in JPG or PNG formats
3. A title, image, and at least one episode on your RSS feed
Go back into your Spotify for Creators account. You’ll notice you can either upload audio/video into Spotify or enter your RSS feed. Now that you’ve properly verified your RSS feed, you can paste the link directly into the text box.
If you’re asked to verify RSS ownership, do so now.

It’s hard to find fault with podcasting via Spotify, especially since both hosting and distribution are 100% free. Just keep in mind that its requirements for RSS feeds are fairly steep. It also takes a 50% cut of your revenue, which is significantly more than other podcast hosting platforms.

YouTube Podcasts: Best for Google Search

Listener Base: 1 billion
Monetization Options: N/A
Submission Requirements: Only available in select countries

YouTube Podcasts, which replaced Google Podcasts in 2023, is one of the largest podcast distribution platforms globally. Not only is it home to more than one billion active users, but podcasts can also appear in YouTube search results (which makes it easier for users to find ‘gateway’ episodes while browsing).

Here’s how to distribute your podcast to YouTube Podcasts:

Log in to YouTube Studio (studio.youtube.com)
Click Create → New podcast → Submit RSS feed
Accept YouTube’s RSS terms of service
Enter your RSS feed into the text box
Select which episodes you would like to publish, then tap Save

Your YouTube podcasts mirror YouTube’s video format, which means you’ll also have access to YouTube’s monetization options. You can join the YouTube Partner Program to make extra money with ads, or release limited content via channel memberships (which is similar to Apple Podcast subscriptions).

Amazon Music: Best for Amazon Ecosystem Listeners

How to strategize optimal microphone placement to set up a podcast studio.

Listener Base: 80 million
Monetization Options: Amazon Ads, sponsorships
Submission Requirements: RSS feed, Podcast cover art, Amazon Music account

Amazon Music has expanded its offerings from music and audiobooks to audio podcasts. It’s also a great way to reach existing Audible users, since the service gets bundled with Amazon Music Unlimited subscriptions.

Here’s how to submit your podcast to Amazon Music:

Go to Amazon Music for Podcasters and log in or create an account
Click Add or Claim a Podcast and enter your RSS feed link
Verify ownership via the email address associated with your RSS feed
Confirm your podcast details (title, description, artwork, etc)
Click Submit and wait for approval (usually 24 hours)

If you’re also looking for unique monetization opportunities, you should keep Amazon’s Music Influencer Program top of mind. You’ll get compensation in exchange for ads and sponsorships — if you can meet its steep requirements, that is.

iHeartRadio: Best for Multi-Platform Distribution

Listener Base: 128 million
Monetization Options: N/A
Submission Requirements: Must be located in United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, or New Zealand

iHeartRadio is essentially terrestrial radio turned digital, with more than 250 platforms and 2,000 devices supported (think gaming consoles, auto-dashes, wearables, and more). Although it doesn’t offer any monetization features, it’s simple and easy to distribute podcasts automatically.

Here’s how:

Visit podcasters.iheart.com and log in or create an account.
Click on Submit Your Podcast.
Enter your RSS feed link into the submission form.
Fill out all the required details (podcast title, category, and contact information)
Agree to iHeartRadio’s terms and conditions.
Click Submit and wait for approval (usually two to three days)

But you should know that iHeart doesn’t serve every podcaster — it only offers distribution services in five countries (AKA North America and Australasia). If you’re outside its supported area, you can’t distribute your show. If that’s you and you’re looking for alternatives, you might want to try using Apple Podcasts plus Overcast (which we’ll discuss in the section below).

This checklist provides a high-level overview of key points to think about before distributing a new podcast episode.

Overcast: Best for Apple Podcast Users

Listener Base: 28.5 million
Monetization Options: N/A
Submission Requirements: Must upload to Apple Podcasts first

Overcast is a podcast player specifically designed for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. It’s inherently connected to Apple Podcasts — when you upload an episode, it automatically populates into Overcast.

This means the only way to submit a podcast to Overcast is to follow the steps for Apple Podcasts. Your RSS feed should populate in one to two days, and if not, you can manually add it by visiting overcast.fm/add.

You should know that Overcast doesn’t offer monetization features, although you can get around this by using subscription features in Apple Podcasts. You can also tap into display ads for better visibility, which comes with views, taps, and subscription information.

Pocket Casts: Best for Featured Placements

Listener Base: 1 million
Monetization Options: N/A
Submission Requirements: Minimum of 1-2 episodes before eligible for Featured Placement

Pocket Casts is a cross-platform podcast player offering advanced discovery and organization features. You can submit your podcasts to their platform for free, ask for a (free) featured spot on the roster, or pay extra per month for a sponsored ad (running anywhere from $124 to $5,000 for seven days).

Here’s how to submit your podcast to Pocket Casts:

Visit pocketcasts.com/submit/
Enter your RSS feed link (or Apple Podcasts URL) into the text box
Select Public to make your podcast visible to listeners or Private for member-only feeds
Wait up to 12 hours for your podcast to be indexed by the search engine.

There’s not much of a downside to using Pocket Casts, although the audience may be smaller than other leading platforms. However, the cross-platform nature gives it a major boost in listenership — the average listener follows 30+ podcasts and listens to 10 hours of content per week.

Your Podcast Distribution Strategy Guide

These are some of the most popular podcast hosting platforms.

Now that you know which platforms to distribute to, let’s turn our attention to the how and why.

Your overall strategy will largely depend on your goals, but if you’re just looking to get started, here are some best practices to keep in mind.

Managing Multiple Platforms

If you don’t already have a host/distributor platform, it would be a good idea to diversify where your podcast shows up. A minimum of three distribution platforms is a great place to start, typically with one ‘major player’ and one or two smaller channels.

But podcast distribution platforms aren’t the only places where you can get the word out about your show. It’s also a good idea to consider:

Social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram
Your website, if you don’t have one already (keep in mind some hosting platforms offer free landing pages for your podcast)
Email marketing with newsletters or spotlights

Looking to dive a little deeper? Check out our ultimate guide to podcast marketing.

Making the Most of Monetization

Not all distribution platforms offer monetization. But the ones that do require special considerations, especially if you’re looking for ways to offset the cost of production.

Spotify for Creators, for example, offers hosting and distribution features, which means you’ll have the option to use ads, podcast subscriptions, and get listener support in the form of donations. Other platforms like Amazon Music let you set up branded sponsorships, which can help you make extra on top of your ads.

Here’s a quick breakdown of these podcast distribution platforms by monetization options:

Platform	Monetization Options
Apple Podcasts	Subscriptions
Spotify	Subscriptions; Ads
YouTube Podcasts	Subscriptions; Ads
Amazon Music	Ads; Sponsorships
iHeartRadio	❌
Overcast	❌ (supports Apple Podcast subscriptions)
Pocket Casts	❌

Tracking Distribution Success

Before investing more heavily in podcast distribution, you’ll want to make sure your previous efforts have been successful. But considering most distribution platforms don’t offer built-in analytics, you’ll have to get creative to seamlessly track your progress.

Some pointers:

Integrate with a podcast hosting platform (or find a host with built-in distribution features). That way, you can easily track followers, listeners, streams, and downloads and keep an eye out for trends so you can pivot over time. Not sure which options are available to you? Some popular two-in-one platforms include Spotify for Creators and RedCircle..
Download or purchase a third-party podcast analytics tool. Paid options, like CoHost, offer detailed analytics for demographics, performance, B2B analytics, and more. Other platforms (like Podder) are 100% free and still offer IAB-certified analytics to help grow your show.
Track your intangible metrics in a dedicated place. Is your listener feedback mostly positive, or are there constructive criticisms worth noting here? What about your return on investment (ROI) or partnerships/referrals? It’s worth writing these down in a document or spreadsheet.

You should know we’ve barely scratched the surface here — there’s a lot more to learn about podcast metrics. For a more in-depth look at podcast analytics and KPIs, you’re welcome to read our guide on how to analyze and improve your podcast’s performance.

The Bottom Line on Podcast Distribution Platforms

No matter where you’re at in your podcast journey, you’ll need distribution platforms to get more ears on your show. Even just two or three opens the door to tens of millions of potential listeners, not to mention multiple monetization opportunities.

Of course, distribution services can’t live in a vacuum, so to maximize your success, you’ll need a few other podcasting platforms.

Not sure what you specifically need? One of these resources can help you get started: