Last week, Apple announced that all Apple Podcasts content would be available directly on your browser.
That’s great news for all of us content creators because instead of having to use (and link out to) the Apple Podcasts app, we can utilize the full functionality of Apple Podcasts directly in Chrome, Safari, Edge, or whatever internet browser you and your listeners are using.
But this update has a few implications (mostly good) for you as a podcaster, and for your listeners.
What Apple Podcasts In The Browser Means For You
But you might be wondering, what does this mean for me as a podcaster?
Quite a lot, actually.
Apple’s announcement to bring Apple Podcasts into the browser really means more exposure and accessibility for your show, to a broader audience.
Here are just a few ways that Apple has expanded the reach of Apple Podcasts by bringing it natively into the browser (instead of a dedicated desktop or mobile app.
Access Premium Content
Previously, if you wanted to access your Apple podcasts library, or really any of the “logged in” features of Apple Podcasts, you would need to do so from the desktop or mobile apps.
No longer.
With the full functionality of Apple Podcasts in the browser, your subscribers can now sign up for and manage Premium Content right from the browser.
This includes things paid subscriptions and other member perks from podcast subscriptions.
View Library
Like premium functionality, you can view podcasts you’re already subscribed to right in the browser.
No more confusing switching between your browser and the Apple Podcasts app to view your podcast content.
Available on Android
Previously, Apple Podcasts was only available on Apple and Windows products.
However, with this release, Android users will be able to install Apple Podcasts on their Android devices.
Here’s how to install Apple Podcasts on Android:
- Open your web browser (like Google Chrome or Firefox)
- Visit podcasts.apple.com
- Press
⫶(the Chrome menu icon) and click “Add to Home Screen” - Then confirm in the window that appears.
Any existing links to your podcast and episodes will still work as before in the new Apple Podcasts in the browser, so no need to change any links in your already-published show notes.
One thing that a lot of Windows users will be happy with is they can stop using the older iTunes application on their Windows machine.
Ditch iTunes on Windows
Now that Apple Podcast has full support right in the browser, there’s no need for yet-another application on your audience’s computers to tune into your show.
Enhanced Castos Analytics Support
As a podcaster, you might be wondering what impact this will have on your analytics.
Never fear; we’ve got you covered.
As of today (August 27, 2024), our team has rolled out our full support of Apple Podcasts web-based analytics.
This means that in your analytics dashboard, you will start to see Apple Podcast (web player) – a web player segment separate from plays in the Apple Podcasts desktop or mobile app within your analytics dashboard.
Adding Other Web-Based Podcast Players
Additionally, we’ve enhanced the specificity of several other web-based players.
So, along with separate buckets for your listens in Apple Podcasts – Web Player you’ll also see broken out other web-based players like:
- Amazon Music
- Audible
- Chartable
- Discord
- Goodpods
- ListenNotes
- Pandora
- Podcast Index
- and about 40 other popular web-based players
Ongoing Updates to Apple Podcasts
Apple’s addition of full podcast support in the browser is arguably a long time coming. But Apple Podcasts does have its roots all the way back to the ’90s with the legacy setup of iTunes and the original iPod. It’s great to give creators and their audiences the full functionality of the original podcasting platform in a more accessible platform like the browser, instead of requiring the podcasters and their listeners use dedicated apps.
Castos is fully committed to continuing support of Apple Podcasts’ enhanced functionality for public podcasts, private podcasts, and their related analytics into the future.
