What Is a Podcast RSS Feed?
A podcast RSS feed is a public XML file, usually generated by your hosting provider, that lists your show's details and every episode's audio file so that directories such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube can read them.
Each of the three platforms can take the same feed. You submit it once per platform; after that, new episodes reach each platform when they appear in the feed. Apple's guide says the feed must follow RSS 2.0, be “publicly addressable (not password-protected)” and give every episode a GUID “which never changes” (Apple requirements). For the full Apple list, see what Apple actually requires of a podcast feed.
How to Submit a Podcast at a Glance
| Step | Action | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check the RSS feed against Apple's required tags | Feed has every required show and episode tag |
| 2 | Prepare square cover art at 3000 x 3000 pixels | One JPEG or PNG file that meets Apple's spec and YouTube's recommendation |
| 3 | Confirm the email address in the RSS feed | Verification codes reach an inbox you control |
| 4 | Create an Apple Podcasts Connect account | Signed in with an Apple Account using two-factor authentication |
| 5 | Submit the feed in Apple Podcasts Connect | Feed validates; show goes to review |
| 6 | Claim the feed in Spotify for Creators | 8-digit code accepted; show appears in your dashboard |
| 7 | Submit the feed in YouTube Studio | Episodes upload as private videos |
| 8 | Publish on YouTube and record all three listing URLs | Public podcast playlist; three working links |
Apple, Spotify and YouTube Requirements Compared
| Platform | Account needed | Artwork spec (as documented) | Review or processing time (as documented) | RSS or upload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Podcasts | Apple Podcasts Connect account, built on an Apple Account with two-factor authentication and a valid payment method; Managed Apple Accounts cannot be used (Apple) | Show Cover 3000 x 3000 px preferred; via RSS, 1400 x 1400 to 3000 x 3000 px; JPEG or PNG; RGB; 72 dpi; no transparency or alpha channel (Apple, RSS guide) | No review duration published. Apple emails when status changes (Apple). Feed changes “usually display quickly — often within a few hours” (Apple) | RSS feed (or a show created in Apple Podcasts Connect for Apple Podcasters Program members) |
| Spotify | Any Spotify account, free or paid, signed in at creators.spotify.com; ownership verified by an 8-digit code sent to the feed's email (Spotify) | Spotify's public help does not specify artwork dimensions or file formats. For shows not hosted with Spotify, it says to check with your host about adding cover art (Spotify) | No review time published. New shows “usually appear after a few hours” in search (Spotify); changes can take up to 24 hours (Spotify) | RSS feed via claim, a partner host's submission, or hosting on Spotify for Creators |
| YouTube | YouTube channel. RSS upload is an advanced feature: identity verification or sufficient channel history (YouTube); channel location must be on the RSS country list (YouTube) | Square podcast thumbnail, 1280 x 1280 px recommended (YouTube). Via RSS, YouTube builds each video from your show art (YouTube) | Episodes “may take a few days” to upload; YouTube emails when the podcast is ready to publish (YouTube) | RSS feed (select countries) or video uploads into a podcast playlist |
Where a cell says no time is published, we did not find one in the platform's documentation. Third-party estimates exist, but this guide only states what the platforms state.
What You Need Before Starting
- A public RSS feed URL from your hosting provider, beginning with https.
- At least one published episode in the feed. Apple requires one (Apple).
- Square show artwork, ideally 3000 x 3000 pixels, JPEG or PNG, RGB, with no transparency.
- An email address in the feed that you can read today.
- An Apple Account with two-factor authentication and a payment method on file.
- A Spotify account (free accounts work) and a YouTube channel signed in to YouTube Studio.
- A list of any host-read ads or sponsorships in the episodes, for YouTube's branded content declaration.
Step 1: Check Your RSS Feed Against Apple's Required Tags
Open your feed URL in a browser and confirm every required tag is present. Apple publishes the most explicit list of required tags of the three platforms, so it is the practical checklist to start from.
Apple's RSS guide says required tags “must be present in your RSS feed or it won’t pass validation to be listed in Apple Podcasts” (Apple). At show level (inside <channel>) they are <title>, <description>, <itunes:image>, <language>, <itunes:category> and <itunes:explicit>. At episode level (inside each <item>) they are <title>, <enclosure> and <guid>. Apple also recommends <itunes:author> and <link>. Spotify's public help does not publish a full list of required tags; it names cover art, title and description as examples of details that trigger a “missing elements” error when absent (Spotify).
Expected result: each tag appears once with a value. How to verify: search the page source for each tag name. Common mistake: stuffing keywords into the show title. Apple warns that a long keyword list in the title can get a show removed from its directory.
Step 2: Prepare Square Cover Art at 3000 x 3000 Pixels
Export one square image at 3000 x 3000 pixels as a JPEG or PNG in RGB, with a solid background. That single file meets Apple's preferred size and exceeds YouTube's 1280 x 1280 recommendation. Spotify's public help does not specify artwork dimensions.
Pixels per side, as stated in platform help pages, read October 10, 2026
Sources: Apple Podcasts for Creators, Show Cover; YouTube Help, Create and manage podcasts; Spotify for Creators Help, Uploading cover art.
Apple accepts 1400 to 3000 px through RSS and prefers the largest. YouTube states a recommendation, not a minimum. Spotify's cover art page gives no dimensions.
Apple accepts 1400 to 3000 pixels through RSS and prefers the largest; it says Show Covers “cannot contain transparency” and may be rejected if they include Apple logos or hardware (Apple). Upload the file through your host so it is referenced in <itunes:image>.
Expected result: the feed's image URL opens a square image. How to verify: check the file's pixel dimensions and colour mode in any image editor. Common mistake: exporting a PNG with an alpha channel.
Step 3: Confirm the Email Address in Your RSS Feed
Verify that your feed shows an owner email address you can access. Spotify and YouTube both send their ownership codes to the email in the feed, not to your account email (Spotify, YouTube).
The address usually appears in <itunes:email> inside <itunes:owner>. If it is missing, look for an owner email setting in your host's dashboard or ask your host. YouTube says that if you don't know the address, you should contact your hosting provider.
Expected result: your email appears in the feed source. Common mistake: using an address belonging to a former producer or agency.
Step 4: Create an Apple Podcasts Connect Account
Sign in to Apple Podcasts Connect with an Apple Account that has two-factor authentication. Apple requires an active account with a valid payment method and says you won't be charged until you make a purchase (Apple).
Choose Individual if you represent yourself or a sole proprietorship, or Company if you are a registered organisation, then accept the terms. Apple says that if you use a hosting provider for free RSS shows, “you're ready to go” at this point. The Apple Podcasters Program is only needed for paid subscriptions.
Expected result: the Apple Podcasts Connect dashboard loads. Common mistake: trying a Managed Apple Account issued by an employer, which Apple says cannot be used.
Step 5: Submit the Feed in Apple Podcasts Connect
Click the Add (+) button, select New Show, choose “Add a show with an RSS feed”, enter the feed URL and click Add (Apple).
Then review the Show Information page, set Content Rights, add contact details, and open Availability. There you choose countries or regions, whether the feed is publicly distributed, whether Apple generates transcripts or you supply them (the trade-off is covered in why podcast transcripts may matter more than the audio), and when the show is released. Apple says all countries or regions are selected by default (Apple); how Apple then features shows by market is covered in whether Apple Podcasts has stopped curating by country. Click Save, then publish. The feed is validated first; a warning must be fixed before you can publish.
Expected result: the show moves into review. How to verify: the status indicator turns yellow while a process is under way (Apple). Common mistake: assuming validation means approval. Apple says passing validation “doesn't necessarily mean your podcast will be approved” (Apple).
Step 6: Claim the Feed in Spotify for Creators
Log in to creators.spotify.com, select Find an existing show, then Somewhere else, and enter your RSS feed URL (Spotify). If you already manage a show there, open the menu in the top-right corner and choose Add a new show first.
Spotify then emails an 8-digit code to the feed's address. Paste it into the form. If your host appears on Spotify's partner list, you can instead follow that host's own Spotify submission guide.
Expected result: the show appears in your Spotify for Creators dashboard. Common mistake: trying to claim a show someone else already claimed. Spotify says a show can only be claimed once; the existing admin has to add you.
Step 7: Submit the Feed in YouTube Studio
In YouTube Studio, click Create, then New podcast, then Submit RSS feed (YouTube). Accept the RSS Ingestion Tool Terms of Service, enter the feed URL, click Send code, and enter the code sent to the feed's email.
Choose which episodes to upload: all existing episodes, those since a date, or only future ones. If most episodes carry branded content, tick the option that says so. YouTube says podcast content uploaded through RSS cannot contain advertisements, and host-read promotions or sponsorships must be declared (YouTube). Review visibility and click Save. Episodes upload as private videos first.
Expected result: an email saying the podcast is ready to publish. YouTube says this “may take a few days”. Common mistake: submitting a video show this way. RSS ingestion makes static-image videos from your show art, so filmed episodes should be uploaded as videos instead. Why the YouTube listing matters for discoverability is set out in our Spotify versus YouTube test protocol.
Step 8: Publish on YouTube and Record the Three Listing URLs
Go to Content, then Podcasts, and click Publish under Video count. The button only appears once uploads finish, and the podcast is not public until you click it (YouTube).
Before publishing, open the Videos tab and check for copyright or monetisation flags, as YouTube advises. Then copy the public URL of the show on each platform into one document, along with the account that controls it.
Expected result: three public listings and a record of who owns each. Common mistake: editing episode details in YouTube Studio. YouTube says that blocks future edits to that episode from your RSS feed.
How to Verify It Worked
- Apple: a confirmation email with a link to the show, and a green Show Published status in Apple Podcasts Connect. Apple says a show is live once it is published and has at least one published episode (Apple). The last-refreshed date and time on the show information page confirms Apple is reading your feed (Apple).
- Spotify: the show listed in your Spotify for Creators dashboard, then visible in Spotify search, which Spotify says usually happens after a few hours.
- YouTube: the podcast listed under Content, then Podcasts, with a video count matching the episodes you selected, and the playlist opening for a signed-out viewer.
- All three: publish a new episode on your host and check that it appears. Apple suggests troubleshooting if a new episode is missing after 24 hours (Apple); Spotify says changes can take up to 24 hours.
Common Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Apple: “Invalid feed URL” | URL incomplete | Use the full address with protocol, hostname and file name (Apple) |
| Apple: “Can’t connect to your feed” or “Can’t download episodes from your feed” | Server timeout, or no support for HEAD and byte-range requests | Ask your host to enable HEAD and byte-range requests on feed, media and artwork |
| Apple: “No episodes exist in your feed” | Missing or malformed <enclosure> | Each episode needs an enclosure with URL, length and type pointing to a supported file |
| Apple: category tag error | Unescaped ampersand or wrong capitalisation | Escape the ampersand and match Apple's casing exactly; Apple's example of correct formatting is <itunes:category text="Society & Culture" /> |
| New artwork not showing | Same filename and URL reused | Save the new image under a new filename and URL; Apple and Spotify both advise this (Apple, Spotify) |
| Spotify or YouTube code never arrives | Feed carries no email, or an old one | Change the feed's owner email in your host's settings, wait for the feed to update, then resend |
| Spotify: “missing elements” error | Feed lacks a required field such as art, title or description | Ask your host to add the missing details (Spotify) |
| Spotify: show already claimed | Someone else holds admin access | A show can be claimed once; the existing admin must invite you (Spotify) |
| YouTube: no Submit RSS feed option | Channel location not eligible, or no advanced feature access | Check the location list and Studio's Feature eligibility page; verify identity if offered |
| YouTube: corrected audio not updating | RSS-ingested audio cannot change after publishing | In Studio, use Re-upload from RSS feed on that episode |
| YouTube: deleted episode comes back | Episode still in the RSS feed | Set the video to private instead, or remove the episode from the feed |
How to Choose a Submission Route
| Situation | Recommended method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Audio show with a hosting provider | Submit the same RSS feed to all three platforms | One feed keeps episodes, titles and artwork in step everywhere |
| Your host is on Spotify's partner list | Use your host's Spotify submission guide, or claim the feed directly | Spotify links each listed host to its own submission instructions |
| Show is hosted on Spotify for Creators | Skip the Spotify submission | Spotify says shows it hosts are published to Spotify automatically (Spotify) |
| Show is recorded on video | Upload video episodes to a YouTube podcast in YouTube Studio rather than using RSS | RSS ingestion creates static-image videos from your show art |
| Channel location is not on YouTube's RSS list, or no advanced feature access | Upload videos in YouTube Studio, or ask your host whether it distributes to YouTube | YouTube says some hosting platforms offer this, and MP3s cannot be uploaded as podcasts directly (YouTube, YouTube) |
| Show is already on YouTube | Connect the RSS feed from the podcast's details page and start after the latest episode already on YouTube | YouTube recommends this to avoid duplicate episodes (YouTube) |
| You want paid subscriptions on Apple | Join the Apple Podcasters Program | Subscriptions need the program, which carries an annual fee (Apple) |
What Not to Do
- Do not change episode GUIDs. Apple says changing them can produce duplicate episodes, inaccurate analytics and problems with chart placement. Keep each GUID fixed, even when you change the title or audio URL.
- Do not reuse an artwork filename when you change the art. Platforms may keep the old image. Use a new filename and URL.
- Do not publish on YouTube before all episodes finish uploading. YouTube recommends waiting so problems can be fixed while videos are still private.
- Do not leave sponsorships undeclared on YouTube. Its terms require branded content to be declared. Tick the branded content option at submission or on the podcast details page.
- Do not delete episodes on YouTube to hide them. They are re-uploaded while still in the feed. Set them to private.
- Do not give the YouTube podcast a generic title. YouTube says titles such as “Full Episodes” may be replaced with your channel name in YouTube Music (YouTube).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate RSS feed for Apple, Spotify and YouTube?
No. All three accept the same public feed. Submit it once on each platform, and new episodes then reach each one from that feed.
How long does Apple Podcasts take to approve a new podcast?
Apple does not publish a review time. It emails you when the status changes and shows the status in Apple Podcasts Connect. Once a show is live, Apple says feed changes usually appear within a few hours.
Is it free to put a podcast on Apple Podcasts?
For a free show delivered by RSS, Apple's account and submission documentation mentions no submission fee. You need an Apple Account with a payment method on file, but Apple says you are not charged until you make a purchase. The annual fee applies only to the Apple Podcasters Program for paid subscriptions.
Can I put an audio-only podcast on YouTube?
Yes, through RSS in eligible countries. YouTube builds a static-image video for each episode from your show art. You cannot upload an MP3 directly as a YouTube podcast episode.
Why don't I see the Submit RSS feed option in YouTube Studio?
YouTube documents two conditions: RSS ingestion is only available if the channel owner's location is on its list of countries and regions, and RSS upload is an advanced feature, so channels without advanced feature access must verify identity. You can check access under Settings, Channel, Feature eligibility.
What size should podcast cover art be for all three platforms?
A 3000 x 3000 pixel JPEG or PNG in RGB with no transparency meets Apple's preferred size and exceeds YouTube's recommended 1280 x 1280 square podcast thumbnail. Spotify's public help does not specify artwork dimensions.
Does claiming my podcast on Spotify move my hosting to Spotify?
No. Claiming gives you access to the show in Spotify for Creators while your existing host keeps serving the feed. Moving hosting to Spotify is a separate process.
Will changes to my RSS feed update automatically on YouTube?
Partly. YouTube says episode details update from the feed, but show details do not update automatically. Replaced audio files also do not update; you must re-upload the episode from the feed in YouTube Studio.
Do I need to submit separately if my show is hosted on Spotify for Creators?
Not for Spotify, which publishes shows it hosts automatically. You still submit the feed to Apple and YouTube yourself.
Sources and Methodology
We read each platform's current public help pages and Apple's RSS tag guide on 6 October 2026, and quote menu labels and specifications only where those pages state them. We did not submit a test show to any platform for this guide, so the expected results describe what the documentation says should happen, not what we observed. Platforms change their interfaces without notice; if a label differs from what you see, follow the current help page. Time estimates are ours. Review times are omitted where the platforms do not publish them.
- official Apple Podcasts for Creators, Podcast RSS feed requirements. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Apple Podcasts Connect Help, A Podcaster's Guide to RSS. Required show and episode tags; artwork 1400–3000 px, JPEG or PNG, RGB, 72 dpi. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Apple Podcasts for Creators, Show Cover. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Apple Podcasts for Creators, Create an Apple Podcasts Connect account. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Apple Podcasts for Creators, Show settings (availability, distribution, transcripts). Read 6 October 2026.
- official Apple Podcasts for Creators, Submit a new show. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Apple Podcasts for Creators, Validate your podcast RSS feed. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Apple Podcasts for Creators, Review process. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Apple Podcasts for Creators, Statuses in Apple Podcasts Connect. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Apple Podcasts for Creators, RSS feed refresh. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Apple Podcasts for Creators, Troubleshoot podcast availability. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Spotify for Creators Help, Claiming your podcast on Spotify for Creators. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Spotify for Creators Help, Getting your show on Spotify. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Spotify for Creators Help, Uploading cover art. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Spotify for Creators Help, Show not appearing in search results. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Spotify for Creators Help, Missing elements in RSS feed. Read 6 October 2026.
- official Spotify for Creators Help, New episodes or podcast updates not appearing on listening platforms. Read 6 October 2026.
- official YouTube Help, Deliver podcasts using an RSS feed. Read 6 October 2026.
- official YouTube Help, Publish or disconnect episodes from an RSS feed on YouTube. Read 6 October 2026.
- official YouTube Help, RSS feed delivery available locations. Read 6 October 2026.
- official YouTube Help, Learn about feature access for YouTube Creators. Read 6 October 2026.
- official YouTube Help, Create and manage podcasts. Includes the 1280 x 1280 thumbnail recommendation. Read 6 October 2026.
- official YouTube Help, Distribute podcasts on YouTube. Read 6 October 2026.