How to Submit Your Podcast to Apple Podcasts (August 2026) Guide

If you have just finished recording your first few episodes, the next step is getting your show in front of listeners. Apple Podcasts remains the largest directory on iOS, accounting for roughly 37.5% of all podcast downloads worldwide. That is why learning how to submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts is one of the first moves every new podcaster should make.

In this guide, I walk through the entire submission process from start to finish. We will cover what you need before submitting, how to find your RSS feed, the manual Apple Podcasts Connect workflow, and the faster one-click option offered by most hosting providers. I will also share troubleshooting tips based on what podcasters actually run into during review.

What You Need Before Submitting Your Podcast to Apple Podcasts?

Apple requires a few items from every show before it will accept a submission. Getting these ready first prevents the back-and-forth that stalls most first-time submitters.

Here is the checklist I use before I hit submit:

• A podcast hosting account. Apple does not host audio files. You need a host that produces a valid RSS feed, such as Buzzsprout, Transistor, RSS.com, Captivate, or Podbean.

• A valid RSS feed URL. This is the link your host generates automatically once you publish at least one episode.

• Square cover art at 3000 x 3000 pixels in JPG or PNG, RGB color, between 60 KB and 3 MB. This artwork also appears in search results.

• Show metadata. Show name, description (up to 4000 characters), author name, language, primary category, and subcategory.

• An Apple ID. A free, personal Apple ID works. Business or Managed Apple IDs can cause issues during account setup.

• Content rights confirmation. Apple asks you to confirm you own or have licensed everything you publish.

One thing that surprises new creators: Apple Podcasts Connect requires a credit card on file even for free podcast accounts. The card is not charged, but Apple uses it for identity verification.

Understanding RSS Feeds and Where to Find Your Feed URL

An RSS feed is a small text file that lists every episode of your show, with download links and metadata. When Apple Podcasts pulls your show, it reads this file on a schedule to detect new episodes. If your feed is broken or invalid, your show will not pass review.

Your RSS feed URL is usually located inside your hosting dashboard. Look for labels like “RSS,” “Distribution,” or “Directory.” Most hosts display the full URL in the format https://feeds.example.com/yourpodcast.xml. Copy the entire URL exactly as shown, including the trailing slash and file extension.

If you are not sure whether your feed is valid, paste the URL into a free validator like the Cast Feed Validator or Podbase. These tools catch problems such as missing artwork tags, malformed enclosures, or duplicate GUIDs before you submit to Apple.

How to Submit Your Podcast to Apple Podcasts Step by Step

This is the manual workflow inside Apple Podcasts Connect. It works for any podcaster regardless of which host you use.

Step 1: Create an Apple Podcasts Connect account. Visit podcasters.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. You will be prompted to enter your name, address, and phone number for identity verification.

Step 2: Add a credit card to your account. Even though the account is free, Apple asks for a card during the verification step. Use any personal card. No charge occurs unless you enroll in paid subscriptions through the Apple Podcasters Program.

Step 3: Click the “+” button and choose “New Show.” You will see two options: “Add a show with an RSS feed” and “Add a show without an RSS feed.” Choose the RSS feed option unless your show has never been distributed anywhere.

Step 4: Paste your RSS feed URL. Apple pulls the metadata directly from your feed, so most fields auto-populate. Review the auto-filled data for accuracy.

Step 5: Complete the remaining fields. These include primary language, category, subcategory, content rights declaration, and show contact information. The contact info is what Apple uses if there is a rights complaint.

Step 6: Select availability and submit. Choose where your show will be available. Most creators select all available countries. Click submit and wait for the review.

That is the core submission process. The whole manual flow usually takes 10 to 15 minutes if your feed is clean.

One-Click Submission Through Your Hosting Provider

If your host supports direct Apple submission, this method skips most of the manual steps. Hosts like Buzzsprout, Transistor, Captivate, and Podbean integrate with Apple Podcasts Connect through partner APIs.

From your host’s dashboard, look for a “Directories” or “Distribution” tab, click Apple Podcasts, and authorize the connection. Your host will push your RSS feed and metadata to Apple Podcasts Connect automatically. You still need to log in once to confirm the show details, but you skip the manual entry.

I recommend this method for beginners because it reduces typo errors and RSS feed mistakes. The manual process still matters if you switch hosts or need to troubleshoot an issue later.

Approval Timeline and What Happens After Submission

Apple usually reviews new submissions within 24 to 72 hours, but some shows wait up to five business days. The reviewer checks that your metadata matches your RSS feed, that your artwork meets the size and content rules, and that your show is actually a podcast (not just music or a single video).

You receive an email from Apple once the review completes. If approved, your show appears in Apple Podcasts within a few hours. It may take another day or two to show up in search results because Apple indexes new shows on a rolling schedule.

If rejected, the email includes a short reason. Common rejection notes cover missing artwork specifications, mismatched metadata, or content that violates Apple’s content guidelines.

Common Rejection Reasons and How to Fix Them

Most rejections come down to a handful of recurring issues. Here is what to check if your submission gets bounced.

Artwork problems. The most common rejection trigger. Your cover art must be exactly square, between 1400 x 1400 and 3000 x 3000 pixels, RGB color (not CMYK), and free of text like “New Podcast” or placeholder logos. Apple also rejects art with iTunes or Apple logos.

Mismatched metadata. The title, author, and description in Apple Podcasts Connect must match what is in your RSS feed. If your host lets you edit these separately, sync them before submitting.

Validation warnings. Apple Podcasts Connect shows warnings about feed issues before you submit. Yellow warnings are advisory, red warnings block submission. Fix every red warning first.

Content rights issues. If your show is mostly third-party music or repurposed broadcast content, Apple may reject it for lack of rights. Make sure you have licenses or use royalty-free assets.

Login or timeout errors. Users on Reddit and Apple Discussions report that Apple Podcasts Connect sometimes loops back to the login screen. Switching to an incognito window or a different browser often resolves the issue.

Submitting a Video Podcast to Apple Podcasts

Apple now accepts video podcasts through the same RSS feed workflow. If your host supports video enclosures (MP4 files), you can mark your show as video during submission. Apple Podcasts Connect adds a checkbox for video format. The artwork and metadata requirements stay the same.

For video episodes, keep file sizes reasonable. Apple recommends H.264 encoded MP4s at standard podcast resolutions like 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Learning how to submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts is one of the highest-impact moves you can make as a new podcaster. With 37.5% of all podcast downloads flowing through the Apple directory, skipping it would cut you off from a huge audience.

The fastest path is one-click submission through your host. The most flexible path is the manual Apple Podcasts Connect workflow. Either way, make sure your RSS feed is valid, your artwork meets the 3000 x 3000 spec, and your metadata matches across both your host and Apple.

Once your show is live, focus on consistent publishing and accurate metadata. That is what keeps your show visible in Apple Podcasts search over the long term.