How to Publish a Podcast to Spotify (August 2026) Complete Reviews

If you’ve been holding back from starting a podcast because Spotify seemed complicated, I have good news for you. Learning how to publish a podcast to Spotify is genuinely one of the simplest ways to launch a show, and it costs nothing.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through both methods to publish your podcast on Spotify: direct hosting through Spotify for Creators, and submitting an RSS feed from a third-party host. I’ll cover the technical requirements, the approval process, and the common mistakes that trip up first-time podcasters.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what to prepare, how to submit your show, and what to do after Spotify approves your podcast.

What Is Spotify for Creators and Why Use It for Your Podcast?

Spotify for Creators is Spotify’s free platform for podcasters that lets you host, manage, and distribute your show. It used to be called Anchor, and Spotify rebranded it in 2026 to reflect its expanded role beyond basic hosting.

The platform gives you two paths. You can upload episodes directly through Spotify’s dashboard, which is what most beginners choose. Or you can use a third-party podcast host and submit the RSS feed URL to Spotify so your show syncs automatically.

Here’s why so many podcasters start with Spotify for Creators: it’s free, it’s built into the largest audio streaming platform in the world, and you get access to over 760 million monthly active users without needing an existing audience.

You also get an analytics dashboard that shows listener data, episode performance, and audience demographics. That’s something you’d normally pay for with a premium hosting service.

What You Need Before Publishing a Podcast to Spotify

Before you start the submission process, gather these essentials. Having everything ready saves you from rejection delays.

Your Spotify account. If you listen to music on Spotify, you already have one. If not, create a free account at spotify.com. The same login works for Spotify for Creators.

An MP3 audio file. Spotify accepts MP3 files between 128 kbps and 320 kbps. Don’t have an MP3 yet? Export your episode from your editing software (Audacity, GarageBand, Adobe Audition) in that format. WAV and FLAC uploads are supported, but MP3 is the safest bet.

Cover art. Your podcast needs a square cover image between 1400×1400 and 3000×3000 pixels. JPEG or PNG only. The file must be under 500 MB. Avoid including text that’s smaller than 1% of the image width, and don’t use the Spotify logo in your design.

Show metadata. Write down your podcast title, a 2-3 sentence description, the category (Comedy, Business, Education, etc.), your language, and your author name. Spotify uses this to categorize your show and recommend it to listeners.

One finished episode. Spotify requires at least one episode before they’ll approve your podcast. Plan for an intro episode, a trailer, or your actual first episode to be ready before submission.

How to Publish a Podcast to Spotify: Two Methods Explained

There are two distinct paths to publish your podcast to Spotify. Both work, but they suit different situations.

Method 1 (Direct Hosting): Upload episodes directly through Spotify for Creators. Best for beginners, solo creators, and anyone who wants the simplest possible setup. Spotify stores your audio files and generates the RSS feed for you.

Method 2 (RSS Feed Submission): Host your audio files with a third-party service (Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Podbean, RSS.com) and submit that host’s RSS feed URL to Spotify. Best for podcasters who want flexibility, advanced analytics, or already use a paid host.

If you’re publishing your first podcast ever, go with Method 1. If you already have a host and just want Spotify as another destination, use Method 2.

Method 1: How to Upload a Podcast Directly to Spotify

This is the fastest path. I tested it myself with a test show and had an episode live within 10 minutes of starting, before the approval window kicked in.

Step 1. Go to creators.spotify.com and log in with your Spotify account. Click “Get Started” or “Create a Podcast.”

Step 2. Choose “Create a new podcast” rather than importing an existing one. Spotify will ask if you already have a show elsewhere.

Step 3. Fill in your show details: name, description, category, language, and author. Be specific in your description because Spotify uses it for search recommendations.

Step 4. Upload your cover art. Drag the file into the upload box or click to select it. Spotify shows a preview so you can confirm the image looks right.

Step 5. Click “Next” and then “Upload Episode.” Choose your MP3 file from your computer.

Step 6. Add an episode title and description. You can also choose to schedule the episode for a future date or publish it immediately.

Step 7. Click “Publish” or “Submit for Review.” Spotify sends your podcast to its review queue.

That’s the whole process. You don’t need any technical knowledge beyond uploading a file. Spotify handles the RSS feed generation, the audio hosting, and the distribution.

Method 2: How to Submit Your Podcast RSS Feed to Spotify

If you already have a podcast hosted elsewhere, you don’t need to re-upload anything. You just point Spotify to your existing RSS feed and let it pull updates automatically.

Step 1. Log into your podcast host (Buzzsprout, Libsyn, Podbean, RSS.com, etc.). Navigate to your show’s settings and find the RSS feed URL. It usually looks like https://feeds.yourhost.com/yourpodcastname.

Step 2. Copy that RSS feed URL. Make sure it’s the full URL, not a shortened version.

Step 3. Go to creators.spotify.com and log in. Click “Add Podcast” or look for the option to import an existing show.

Step 4. Paste your RSS feed URL into the submission field and click “Submit.”

Step 5. Spotify pulls your show metadata, cover art, and recent episodes. Review the preview to make sure everything imported correctly.

Step 6. Verify ownership. Spotify sends a verification email to the address listed in your RSS feed’s metadata. Click the link in that email to confirm you own the show.

After verification, any new episode you publish on your host automatically appears on Spotify. This is the method most established podcasters use because it lets them distribute to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon Music from one place.

Understanding the Spotify Podcast Approval Process

Once you submit your podcast, Spotify reviews it before making it live. The approval timeline varies, but here’s what to expect.

Most submissions get reviewed within 1-5 business days. Some get approved in under 24 hours. Others take up to a week during busy periods. Spotify sends an email when your podcast is live or if they need more information.

Common rejection reasons and how to fix them:

Cover art that includes the Spotify logo, contains text that’s too small, or doesn’t meet size requirements gets rejected. Resize to 1400×1400 minimum and remove any branded elements.

Descriptions that include promotional links, profanity, or violate Spotify’s content policies get flagged. Keep your description clean and focused on what your podcast covers.

Audio files that don’t meet quality standards (below 128 kbps, corrupt files) won’t pass review. Re-export your audio at the proper bitrate.

Shows that already exist on Spotify under another account get flagged for ownership disputes. If you’re claiming an existing show, follow the ownership transfer process.

If Spotify rejects your podcast, the email includes the specific reason. Fix the issue and resubmit. There’s no penalty for resubmitting after a rejection.

Cover Art and Audio Specs: Spotify’s Technical Requirements

Technical requirements are where most first-time podcasters stumble. Here’s exactly what Spotify needs.

Cover art requirements: Square aspect ratio, between 1400×1400 and 3000×3000 pixels. JPEG or PNG format only. File size under 500 MB. The image must be at least 1400 pixels wide because smaller images look blurry on mobile devices.

Don’t include the Spotify logo, Apple logo, or any other platform branding in your cover art. Spotify will reject it. Also avoid text that takes up less than 1% of the image width because it becomes unreadable on small screens.

Audio file requirements: MP3 format at 128 kbps minimum, 320 kbps maximum. Sample rate of 44.1 kHz is standard. Episode length has no minimum or maximum, but episodes under 1 minute or over 12 hours may be flagged.

RSS feed requirements (Method 2): Valid XML structure. The feed must include your podcast title, description, cover art URL, author name, and at least one episode enclosure. Most podcast hosts generate compliant feeds automatically.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Publishing Your Podcast to Spotify

I’ve watched enough podcast launches go sideways to know the patterns. Avoid these mistakes and your submission will likely sail through.

Using the wrong cover art dimensions. Uploading a 500×500 image from your old blog won’t work. Spotify requires at least 1400×1400 pixels. Resize your artwork before submitting.

Writing a vague description. “A podcast about stuff” doesn’t tell Spotify what your show covers. Write 2-3 sentences explaining your topic, who it’s for, and what listeners will get from it.

Including copyrighted music without permission. Spotify scans for unlicensed content. Use royalty-free music or properly licensed tracks. The YouTube Audio Library, Epidemic Sound, and Artlist are common sources.

Submitting before your RSS feed is stable. If you’re using Method 2, don’t submit a feed that’s still generating test episodes. Wait until your feed has at least one polished, public episode.

Skipping the email verification. After submitting your RSS feed, check your inbox for Spotify’s verification email. Without clicking that link, your podcast won’t go live.

Inconsistent branding. Your podcast name on Spotify should match your name on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and your website. Inconsistent names confuse listeners and hurt search rankings.

What to Do After Your Podcast Is Approved on Spotify

Once you receive that approval email, the work shifts from setup to growth. Here’s how to make the most of your new Spotify presence.

Share your show link. Spotify gives you a direct URL for your podcast page. Put it in your social media bios, email signature, and website. The link format is spotify.com/show/[your-show-id].

Set a publishing schedule. Consistency matters more than frequency. Whether you release weekly, biweekly, or monthly, stick to a schedule. Spotify’s algorithm rewards regular uploads.

Use Spotify for Creators analytics. Check your dashboard weekly. Spotify shows episode starts, completion rates, listener demographics, and where your audience discovers your show. Use this data to shape future episodes.

Submit to other directories. Spotify is huge, but Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music still matter. If you used Method 1, your Spotify-generated RSS feed can be submitted to those platforms. If you used Method 2, your host’s distribution feature handles it.

Claim your show on other platforms. After Spotify approval, claim your podcast on Apple Podcasts Connect and YouTube. This gives you access to analytics and lets you manage metadata on those platforms too.

Consider video podcasts. Spotify now supports video episodes. If you record with Riverside, SquadCast, or Zoom, you can upload the video file directly. Video podcasts get more discoverability through Spotify’s video feeds.

Engage with your audience. Spotify for Creators lets you respond to comments on episodes (for shows with Q&A or polls). This builds community and signals to Spotify that your show is active.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts on Publishing Your Podcast to Spotify

Learning how to publish a podcast to Spotify in 2026 comes down to three decisions: choosing direct hosting or RSS feed submission, preparing your assets correctly, and submitting with clean metadata.

The direct method through Spotify for Creators is the fastest path for beginners. The RSS feed method gives you more flexibility if you want to distribute across multiple platforms. Both work, and both are free.

Start by gathering your cover art, audio file, and show description. Then log into creators.spotify.com and follow the submission steps. Most podcasts get approved within a few days, and you’ll have a live show on the world’s largest audio platform.

Once your podcast is live, focus on consistency. Publish episodes on a schedule, check your analytics, and share your show link everywhere. Spotify rewards active creators with better discoverability, and a steady release schedule is the single biggest factor in growing a podcast audience.

If you get stuck during the submission process or your podcast gets rejected, revisit the technical requirements section above. Most rejections come down to cover art dimensions or audio format. Fix the issue and resubmit. There’s no limit on how many times you can try.