Ultimate Podcast Directories Guide: Where to Submit Your Show

Once you’ve submitted your show to all the top directories, consider branching out and submitting your RSS feed to as many of the smaller directories as you can.

The process for listing your show with a directory is similar for each; simply navigate to the site and follow the instructions to copy and paste your RSS feed link into the appropriate dialog box. Some sites require you to create an account first, and others have strict guidelines for the types of shows they allow—so be sure to follow the posted instructions for each directory.

Directories Aren’t Everything: More Ways to Distribute Your Podcast

Are you ready to think outside of the box?

Successfully promoting your podcast takes more than simply submitting your RSS feed to the right directories, then waiting for your audience to grow. If you want maximum reach and engagement, you should get creative with the places your podcast can be found.

YouTube Podcasts

YouTube is one of the biggest platforms for audio content on the web—so it makes sense to make your podcast content available on YouTube, even though it’s not technically a podcast directory.

Keep in mind that podcast distribution via YouTube is not the same thing as starting a YouTube channel.

YouTube isn’t a podcast host—so if your goal is to get your episodes listed on all the main podcast directories like Spotify and Apple Podcasts, you’ll need to start a podcast in the traditional way first. Then, you can take the additional step of uploading each new episode to YouTube as part of your audience-building strategy. This is a great move, as YouTube is starting to cater more to podcasting. For example, they recently released a page dedicated to podcasts.

Check out our guide to starting a podcast on YouTube for more details on how to distribute your content there!

Podcast Directories FAQ

Is there a directory for podcasts?

Yes, you can choose between various directories for your podcast. These directories display your podcasts in an organized way so that listeners can easily find your podcast show. Listeners can also subscribe to your podcast through a directory, to automatically receive updates every time you add a new podcast episode. Some podcast directory examples include Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and more.

How do I find podcast directories?

You can find plenty of good podcast directories online, but we if you don’t know where to start we recommend checking out our list in the above article. To help you find the right podcast directory, we cover various options in detail including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and more.

What is the most popular podcast directory to listen to podcasts?

Apple Podcasts used to be the definitive answer to this question. But in 2021, Spotify officially took over Apple Podcasts. Spotify grew to 28.3 million monthly podcast listeners in the US whereas Apple only sat with 2.1 million. It’s estimated Spotify’s winning lead will only grow and that it’s clearly strengthening its spot as the most popular podcast directory.

Are podcast directories free?

Luckily many podcast directories are completely free and other include free plans or options. Some free popular podcast directories in our list include Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or even iHeartRadio.

What's the best free podcast app?

As with anything, the definition of “best” will be different for everyone.

Apple Podcasts has one of the biggest libraries of podcasts, and it’s a great choice for iPhone, iPad, or iOS users who want to ask Siri to navigate their podcast listening experience or suggest new shows.

Spotify is a great choice for those who already listen to music using the app and want to keep everything in one place. It isn’t the most customizable listening app, but its sophisticated algorithm does a great job of recommending new shows based on your tastes.

And those who prioritize advanced customization options and granular control might gravitate toward apps like Stitcher or Overcast.

What are the biggest podcast directories?

The directories that have the biggest listener bases are undoubtedly Apple Podcasts and Spotify.