Podcast Distribution

How to Submit Your Podcast to Google Podcasts

5 min read

Last updated

If you’re looking to make your podcast available across Google’s networks of products, you’ve come to the right place. This tutorial will teach you how to submit your podcast to Google Podcasts.

Currently, Android devices are still the most widely used type of smartphone in the world. If your show isn’t listed with Google, you’re missing out on millions of potential listeners. 

Google recently reorganized their products in regards to how they display podcasts and music. This reorganization means you need to submit your podcast to a new service in order to appear on Google Podcasts. You must complete these steps even if you previously submitted your show to (the new defunct) Google Play.

Action

Read to start your own podcast? Learn the nitty-gritty details of starting your own show in our comprehensive guide. Learn what you need to do to start a podcast.

What Happened to Google Play Music?

Google Play Music was both a music platform and podcast streaming service, but Google removed it in September 2020. YouTube Music will take over as Google’s primary music platform. Google Podcasts will serve as Google’s only podcast directory.

Frankly, it’s a lot simpler this way. Instead of operating competing services, Google is putting all music on YouTube and all podcasts on Google Podcasts. 

Google Podcasts comes with some welcome changes, too. The redesigned platform is now compatible with iOS and the new Google Podcasts Manager (which replaces the Podcast Portal) offers some deeper insights into your listeners’ behavior. 

If you listen to podcasts using Google Play Music, you’ll want to  transfer your podcast subscriptions to Google Podcasts

If you run your own podcast, you’ll need to claim your show. In this article, we’ll explain how to submit your show to Google Podcasts. 

Automatically publish your episodes to dozens of podcast directories

With Castos you can send all of your podcast content directly to directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, and many others.

Meet your audience where they already listen to podcasts!

How to Submit Your Podcast to Google Podcasts

Submitting your show to Google Podcasts is a bit different than submitting to other platforms. This is due to the way Google’s algorithm archives information. 

There’s a chance Google already knows about your podcast, but that doesn’t mean it’s listed on Google Podcasts or that you can view analytics on Google Podcast Manager. Therefore, after submitting your show, you have to claim ownership of it.  

Claiming your show also makes your show available in several places: 

  • Google Search on all browsers, desktop and mobile. Users can even play your episodes in the browser.
  • Google Search App for Android
  • Google Podcasts app for mobile devices
  • Google Home speaker system
  • Content Action for the Google Assistant
  • Android Auto in your car

Basically, your podcast will appear across Google’s entire network, but especially in places where people look for content. 

For instance, imagine someone searches for a topic that relates to one of your podcast episodes. Google might display a podcast player loaded with your episode in the search results page. The searcher could give your show a try without committing to visiting your podcast website or subscribing via a podcasting app. 

Obviously this means Google Podcasts is a massive opportunity for anyone who wants more exposure (and who doesn’t?), which is why lately we’ve received a lot of questions about how to submit your podcast to Google Podcasts. 

Before you get started, make sure you have at least one published episode in your RSS feed.

Step 1: Log into the right Google account

Before you go any further, make sure you’re logged into the Google account you want associated with the show. This could be your personal account or an account you made specifically for your show. (Some people make a fresh account so they can share it with their team.)

Step 2: Submit your RSS feed to Google

Google will find your podcast on its own eventually, but you can speed up the process by submitting your show’s RSS feed. Visit the Google PubSubHubbub Hub (silly name, we know), paste your RSS feed in the top field, and click Publish.

First force Google to index your show
Force Google to index your podcast

If you use Castos as your host, you’ll find your RSS feed URL in your show’s settings under the Distribution tab. 

Where to find your show's RSS feed if you use Castos
Where to find your show’s RSS feed in Castos

It can take anywhere from a few moments to several hours for Google to index your RSS feed. 

Step 4: Claim Your Show on Google Podcast Manager

Now that Google is aware of your show, it’s time to list it on Google Podcasts.

Visit Google Podcasts Manager and click the Start Now button.

How to submit your podcast to Google podcasts: Start the process in Google Podcasts Manager
Claim your podcast in Google Podcast Manager

Step 5: Enter your show’s RSS feed

Google needs to match your show here to the one you submitted. Paste in your RSS feed and click Next Step.

How to submit your podcast to Google podcasts: Enter your show's RSS feed
Enter your show’s RSS feed to claim your podcast

Step 6: Preview your podcast feed

Once Google finds your RSS feed, it will show a preview of your podcast. Review those details to make sure Google has everything correct. If it looks good, click Next Step. 

If you notice any errors in Google’s preview, adjust the settings in your podcast hosting account.

Step 7: Verify ownership of your show

Your final step is to verify your ownership of the podcast. 

Google will send a verification code to the email address that’s included in the RSS feed’s details. Open your email account in a new tab, copy the verification code you received, paste it into the space provided in Google Podcast Manager, and click Submit. 

How to submit your podcast to Google podcasts: Verify ownership of your show
Verify ownership of your show

That’s it! You have successfully claimed your podcast. It could take up to a day before your show appears on Google Podcast’s listings.

Keep in mind you won’t see much in your analytics panel right away. Google will only show data going forward as it has no way to collect past data. But once past data is available, you’ll get access to great information. Check out this dashboard: 

A sample analytics dashboard in Google Podcasts Manager
Sample Google Podcasts Manager analytics dashboard

Other Places to Submit Your Show

Submitting your show to as many podcast directories and listening apps is a key way to promote a podcast. This is the most effective way to reach your audience no matter the types of devices, apps, or operating systems they use. 

In most cases, submitting your podcast is as simple as opening an account and pasting in your show’s RSS link. Once they have your link, they will update automatically whenever you publish a new episode. 

It’s extremely important to submit your show to the big directories. These guides will help:

There’s no downside to making your show accessible all over the web, so we recommend submitting your show to the top 30 podcast directories. Read our full guide for a big list of directories and instructions to submit your show: A Complete List Of Where To Publish Your Podcast (30 Podcast Directories).

Photo of author
Dennis is a content marketer and web developer with years of experience helping startups and small businesses build their online platforms. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and daughter.

Leave a Comment

Resources

More from Castos