The simplest way to get your podcast on Spotify
You cannot upload a podcast directly to Spotify yourself. Instead, you submit your podcast feed to a podcast distributor — a service that takes your episodes and sends them to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms at once. The distributor handles the technical work of keeping Spotify updated when you publish new episodes.
The most common free distributors are Anchor (owned by Spotify), Buzzsprout, and Podbean. You upload your episodes to the distributor, it creates a feed, you submit that feed to Spotify through their podcast submission page, and Spotify pulls your episodes automatically from then on. The whole process takes a few days to a few weeks for Spotify to review and publish your podcast.
If you already have a podcast feed from another platform — say you started on Apple Podcasts or your own website — you can skip the distributor step and submit that feed directly to Spotify. Either way, you need a feed URL, which is a web address that Spotify uses to find your episodes.
Key Takeaways
- You submit your podcast through a distributor like Anchor, Buzzsprout, or Podbean, not by uploading directly to Spotify.
- The distributor creates a feed URL that Spotify uses to pull your episodes automatically whenever you publish new ones.
- If you already have a podcast feed from another service, you can submit that feed directly to Spotify without a distributor.
- Spotify reviews new podcasts before publishing them, which usually takes a few days to a few weeks.
- Once your podcast is on Spotify, you do not need to do anything else — the distributor keeps Spotify updated automatically.
Using Anchor to create and distribute your podcast
Anchor is the easiest starting point because it is free, it is owned by Spotify, and it handles both recording and distribution. Go to anchor.fm, create an account with your email, and choose a podcast name and description. Anchor walks you through the setup in a few screens.
Once your account is set up, you can record episodes directly in Anchor using your computer microphone, or upload audio files you have already recorded. Anchor accepts MP3 files and most other common audio formats. After you upload or record an episode, add a title and description, then click Publish. Anchor automatically sends that episode to Spotify and other platforms.
The first time you publish an episode, Anchor asks you to submit your podcast to Spotify. You click a button, Anchor handles the submission, and Spotify reviews your podcast. This review usually takes three to seven days. Once approved, your podcast appears on Spotify and new episodes you publish in Anchor show up there automatically.
Submitting an existing podcast feed to Spotify
If you already host your podcast elsewhere — on Buzzsprout, Podbean, your own website, or another platform — you have a feed URL. This is a web address that looks something like podcastname.buzzsprout.com/feed.xml or example.com/podcast/feed. You can find it in your hosting platform's settings, usually under a section called "Feed" or "RSS Feed".
Go to podcasters.spotify.com and sign in with a Spotify account (create one free if you do not have one). Click "Claim Your Show" or "Submit a Podcast". Paste your feed URL into the box Spotify provides. Spotify checks that the feed is valid and that you own it, then asks you to confirm some details about your podcast — the name, description, and cover art.
After you confirm, Spotify submits your podcast for review. This takes a few days to a few weeks. Once approved, your podcast appears on Spotify and stays updated automatically whenever you publish new episodes to your original hosting platform.
What Spotify looks for when reviewing your podcast
Spotify reviews new podcasts to check that they follow basic rules. Your podcast needs a clear title and description, a cover image that is at least 3000 by 3000 pixels, and at least one published episode. Spotify also checks that your podcast does not contain content that violates their policies — things like hate speech, graphic violence, or sexual content involving minors.
Most podcasts pass review without problems. If Spotify rejects your podcast, the rejection email explains why. Common reasons include a cover image that is too small, a feed that is not working, or content that violates their policies. You can fix the issue and resubmit.
How to update your podcast information on Spotify
Once your podcast is live on Spotify, you manage it through your distributor or hosting platform, not through Spotify itself. If you use Anchor, log into your Anchor account and edit your podcast name, description, or cover art in the settings. Changes appear on Spotify within a few hours to a day.
If you submitted a feed directly to Spotify, edit your podcast information in your hosting platform — Buzzsprout, Podbean, or wherever your feed lives. Spotify pulls the updated information from your feed automatically. You do not need to resubmit anything or contact Spotify.
The one thing you cannot change after submission is your podcast's Spotify URL. If you need a completely different name or description, you may need to submit as a new podcast and ask Spotify to remove the old one.
Publishing new episodes and keeping your podcast active
After your podcast is on Spotify, publishing new episodes is the same process you used to get it there. In Anchor, record or upload an episode, add a title and description, and click Publish. In Buzzsprout or Podbean, upload your audio file, fill in the episode details, and publish. Your distributor or hosting platform automatically sends the new episode to Spotify within a few hours.
Spotify removes podcasts that have not published an episode in over a year. If you take a long break, your podcast may disappear from Spotify's directory. You can resubmit it later, but it is easier to publish at least one episode per year to keep it active. If you decide to stop podcasting, you do not have to do anything — just stop publishing episodes.
Troubleshooting common problems
If your podcast does not appear on Spotify after a few weeks, check that your feed URL is correct and that your hosting platform is working. Log into your distributor or hosting account and make sure at least one episode is published. If episodes are published but Spotify still does not show them, try resubmitting your feed to Spotify through podcasters.spotify.com.
If you see your podcast on Spotify but new episodes are not showing up, wait 24 hours — Spotify updates feeds once a day. If an episode still does not appear after a day, check that it is published in your hosting platform and that the episode has a title and audio file. Some distributors require episodes to be marked as "published" rather than "draft" before they send them to Spotify.
If Spotify rejected your podcast during review, read the rejection email carefully. The most common fixes are making your cover image larger, checking that your feed URL works, or removing content that violates Spotify's policies. After you fix the problem, resubmit through podcasters.spotify.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Spotify account to submit my podcast?
You need a free Spotify account to submit through podcasters.spotify.com, but you do not need a paid subscription. Create a free account at spotify.com if you do not have one, then use it to log into the podcast submission page.
Can I submit my podcast to Spotify without using a distributor?
Yes, if you already have a podcast feed from another platform. You submit the feed URL directly to Spotify through podcasters.spotify.com. You only need a distributor like Anchor if you are starting a podcast from scratch and do not have a feed yet.
How long does it take for my podcast to appear on Spotify?
Spotify usually reviews new podcasts within three to seven days, though it can take up to a few weeks. Once approved, your podcast appears when ready. After that, new episodes you publish show up on Spotify within a few hours.
Can I have my podcast on Spotify and other platforms at the same time?
Yes. Distributors like Anchor and Buzzsprout send your podcast to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and many other platforms all at once. You publish once in your distributor and it reaches all platforms automatically.
What happens if I delete my podcast from Anchor or Buzzsprout?
If you delete your podcast from your distributor, it may disappear from Spotify and other platforms within a few days. If you want to keep your podcast on Spotify but move to a different distributor, export your episodes from your current platform first, then import them into the new one before deleting the old account.