Member-only story
How to Choose a Podcast Hosting Platform
Understanding your podcast goals and objectives is key to choosing the right hosting platform
One of the first questions I’m asked in podcast consulting meetings is how to get a podcast on Apple or Spotify.
It’s not quite as simple as uploading to Apple Podcasts or Spotify. The podcast distribution model is very similar to the music streaming model — there’s a middle man that helps get your content out to the world.
Just as platforms like DistroKid and TuneCore help artists get their music onto Apple Music and Spotify, podcast hosting platforms help distribute your podcast to the listening platforms.
What do hosting platforms do?
A hosting platform is a place where your audio file, artwork, and notes are stored. The host creates an RSS feed (an online file that contains all the content from your podcast), which is then submitted to the distribution platforms (i.e., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, etc.).
Some hosting platforms will distribute to most distribution platforms, offer monetization options through an ad network, and provide analytics, so you know who is listening to your podcast and where, when, and how.
