How to Start a Podcast on Spotify in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

Want to launch a podcast? With the global podcast market is expected to reach $34.89 billion in 2025, it's a great time to get started.

Platforms like Spotify make it easier than ever to get started. With just a mic, a quiet space, and a hosting platform, you can easily publish your first episode. Spotify’s tools ( like audience Q&As, polls, and monetisation options) help you grow and engage your listener base. Upload your episodes, customise your show, and reach millions.

What Is a podcast and how do they work?

A podcast is a digital audio or video show that you can stream or download to your device. Episodes typically range from 20 to 60 minutes and cover specific topics or themes.

Two main podcast formats:

• Audio podcasts
  • Sound-only format—ideal for multitasking (e.g. commuting, working out).
  • Popular on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and other audio platforms.
  • Relies on storytelling, interviews, or sound design to engage listeners.
• Video podcasts (vodcasts)
  • Combine audio with visual elements like interviews, tutorials, or demonstrations.
  • Better for content where visuals add value—e.g. product demos or panel discussions.
  • Hosted on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and Spotify Video.

Whether you choose audio or video, podcasts offer flexible, on-demand content that fits into everyday life—making them one of the most popular formats for creators and audiences alike.

What does a podcast hosting service do?

Podcast platforms let you host your podcast. It helps send your podcast out to places like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Here's how: You upload your sound to the host, they make a special web feed, and send your episodes out to different places.

Some well-known podcast hosting sites are Casted, CoHost, Castos, Buzzsprout, Captivate, Libsyn, and PodBean. Look out for these features when choosing one:

• Easy way to turn spoken words into written words
• Plenty of storage and no limits on data use
• Podcast website features
• Ways to see how your podcast is doing
• A tool to write and edit show notes

What do you need to start a podcast?

Today, podcast recording is easier than you might think. and doesn't need much:

• A microphone – Don't use the mic on your computer or phone. A good XLR or USB microphone will sound much better. A dynamic mic is good for beginners and doesn't pick up background noises. If you have a special room for recording, a condenser mic could be a better choice.
• A quiet place – You want to record in a place without background noises. Making a room soundproof helps a lot.
• Editing software – After recording, you'll need to edit your podcast to add music or ads and remove anything that doesn't fit. You can use editing programs like Audacity, Adobe Audition, or Descript, each with different features.
• Headphones that block out noise – Crucial for ensuring your recording sounds right, while you're making it and editing it.
• A subscription to a hosting platform – Before your podcast can be heard by others, you need to upload it to a hosting service.

If you want to create a high-quality podcast, TYX podcasting studios are a great place to do it. Equipped with top-of-the-line equipment, and podcasting experts, we've helped many aspiring creators level up their podcasting. We have everything to launch a successful podcast.

Why list my podcast on Spotify?

Last year, Spotify upped its podcasting game by partnering with Anchor and Patreon. It was already a dominant streaming platform, but has now become a huge podcast hosting company. Listing your podcast on the platform offers many advantages. It can:

• Increase your show’s visibility
• Attract new listeners
• Enhance your show's credibility
• provide valuable listener insights and feedback
• Aid with promotion

Spotify is a leading podcast directory (competing closely with Apple Podcasts and surpassing Google Podcasts), and most podcasters use it.

The latest statistics reveal the platform's growing dominance over the streaming market, with BuzzSprout revealing that 28% of podcast listeners use Spotify. Its chief selling point is its impressive reach, boasting over 500 million monthly active users (a 22% year-over-year increase in 2023). Moreover, there's been a consistent rise in its user base and podcast offerings.

Considering Spotify is the second biggest podcast hosting company (close behind Apple Podcasts) not using it could mean missing out on a significant growth opportunity. Spotify's investments in exclusive content and innovative features like video podcasts signal ongoing expansion.

Given all this, we recommend leveraging this podcast hosting site sooner rather than later.

Understanding the RSS feed link

An RSS feed is like your podcast's passport—it lets you share your episodes beyond Spotify, reaching listeners on platforms like Apple Podcasts.

What you need to know

• Your email goes public – When you set up your RSS feed, your email gets listed too. It's how podcast platforms make sure you're you.
• Spread the word yourself – Once your RSS feed is up, you can pitch your podcast to other places. Spotify won't do this part for you.
• Expect surprises – Sometimes, your podcast might pop up on platforms you didn't submit to. They find you through your RSS feed.

Finding your RSS feed

• On a computer – Head to 'Settings' > 'Podcast Availability' > 'RSS Distribution'. If you haven't turned on your feed, you'll see how to here.
• On your phone – Tap 'Your Podcast' > 'Podcast Availability' > 'RSS Distribution'. If it's your first time, you'll get the option to enable it.

If your podcast was hosted on another platform, check with them on how to get your RSS feed.

How to start a podcast on Spotify

Getting your podcast on Spotify and other podcast directories follows a straightforward path: you sign up, submit your podcast RSS feed, and wait for approval.

In the following step-by-step guide, we'll show you how to get upload your first episode, and launch your podcast on Spotify.

Let's dive in!

First, make sure you meet Spotify’s podcast requirements

To begin a podcast on Spotify's podcast platform, check that your podcast fits Spotify's rules. Here's a simple checklist for your podcast settings:

• Your podcast audio files must be MP3 format, with quality between 96 and 320 kbps.
• Your podcast's cover image should be square and in PNG, JPEG, or TIFF format.
• Your RSS feed link needs a title, a cover image, and information for at least one episode.
• Keep episode titles and other text short, under 20 characters, so they don't get cut off with "..." on Spotify.
• Use HTML codes for special characters in your titles and descriptions. For instance, write “News & Politics” as “News & Politics.” Spotify removes other HTML like <bold>.
• Your video file must be smaller than 200MB, roughly 83 minutes at high quality (320Kbps) or over 200 minutes at a lower quality (128Kbps).

1. Sign up for a Spotify for Podcasters Account

To upload your podcast on Spotify, you need to create a Spotify for Podcasters account. Use this form to sign up and choose "I want to start a podcast" if you're new to podcasting, or "I have a podcast" if you're not.

For starting a podcast – Log in with an existing Spotify account or make a new one.

If you have a podcast – Pick your podcast host from a list, add your RSS feed, and enter a verification code sent to your email.

2. Upload your first podcast episode

The first step is to create and upload your episode. Spotify allows for both audio and video episodes, simplifying the process into manageable steps.

Supported formats include:

• For audio: mp3, m4a, wav, or mpg
• For video: mp4 or mov

For additional tips on creating high-quality episodes, check out Spotify's comprehensive article on the topic.

Don't have a complete episode file ready? You can record and edit audio and video to craft a new episode with Riverside.

Note: Starting June 2024, Spotify's internal recording and editing tools will be discontinued. From then on, Riverside will be the recommended option for recording new episodes.

4. Provide your episode details

After your account is ready, input information regarding your podcast, which includes:

• Your episode title
• Description
• Publish date (now or scheduled)
• Is the content clean or explicit?
• Does your episode contain promotional content?
• Language
• Episode type (Full, Trailer, or Bonus)
• Season and episode number
• Add episode cover art

5. Interact with your podcast audience

After uploading your episode, Spotify offers two optional features to interact with your listeners, enhancing engagement:

• Q&A – Pose questions to your Spotify audience to initiate conversations. Your listeners can respond to these questions directly on the episode’s Spotify page. This interactive dialogue allows you to gather feedback and insights from your audience effectively.

• Polls – To better understand your audience's preferences and tastes, set up polls beneath the episode’s description on Spotify. This feature provides a straightforward way to engage listeners and collect valuable data on their preferences.

These interaction tools offer a direct line to your podcast listeners, so you can build a community around your podcast on Spotify.

6. Review your episode

After finishing your episode and planning how to interact with your audience, review everything before making it public.

By uploading your content to Spotify, you agree to let the platform use automated tools for transcriptions, translations, or making clips to help your podcast reach a broader audience. Make sure you’re comfortable with these terms.

It’s essential to familiarise yourself with Spotify's rules for podcasters. If you haven’t already, review them to ensure your content complies.

Now all you need to do is click "Publish", and you're good to go!

Checking your episode dashboard

Here you have a clear view of all past and future episodes. You can view details, download, get a share link, or delete. You can also "Bulk Replace" episodes, uploading up to 10 episodes at a time.

7. Set up your podcast

Congrats! You've uploaded your first episode and joined the growing ranks of podcast creators. Now it's time to set up the podcast itself. Before distributing Spotify podcasts some key information is required.

• Podcast title - Pick a title that reflects the essence or theme of your podcast. You're allowed up to 100 characters, so make it count and ensure it's easy for potential listeners to find.
• Podcast description - This is where you convince people to listen. In 600 characters, describe what your podcast offers, what listeners can expect, and what makes it unique.
• Author - Enter the name of the host, creator, or producing organisation as you'd like it to appear on podcast platforms. This field can include up to 80 characters.
• Podcast Category - Choose the category that best describes your podcast's content. This selection helps listeners discover your podcast when searching for their interests.
• Podcast Language - Specify the primary language of your podcast to ensure it reaches your target audience.
• Choose your podcast cover art - Select an image that visually represents your podcast. This cover art is one of the first things potential listeners will see, so it should be eye-catching and relevant to your podcast’s theme.

8. Monetising your podcast on Spotify

When hosting your podcast with Spotify, you have many ways to make money from your show. The availability of these options depends on where you are and how many listeners you have. Here's a rough breakdown of Spotify's monetisation:

• Podcast subscriptions – Offer special episodes that only paying subscribers can access. You'll need at least two episodes published and 100 listeners on Spotify in the last 60 days to start.
• Listener support – Get monthly donations from your fans. This is currently only for podcasts in the US with at least 100 recent listeners.
• Automated ads (discontinued)– Earn by including sponsor ads in your episodes. This is by invitation in the US, UK, and Australia right now.

To receive payments, you can use Stripe to transfer earnings to your bank account, or set up Spotify Payouts for automatic monthly payments.

Note: Ambassador Ads was discontinued after February 14th, 2024. Spotify is now focusing on Automated Ads and other monetization tools instead. If you're running Ambassador Ads, you'll continue to earn until the last campaign ends.

Remember, Spotify offers resources to help you understand these options better and decide which works for you. Before getting started, we recommend familiarising yourself with Spotify's monetisation rules.

9. Finish up and launch

Now you're good to go! Click finish and your podcast has been launched. It's that simple. On the dashboard (below) you can view key analytics. When you start getting more plays, you'll gain access to Spotify's more detailed analytics insights.

Tips for growing your audience

Want to get more people listening to your podcast? You're not alone. Here's a quick guide on how to boost your listener numbers:

Get to know your listeners
Before you dive into promoting your podcast, figure out who you're talking to. What interests them? What other podcasts might they like? Tailoring your content to a specific group can help attract a dedicated following. Spotify's podcaster tools can help you do this.

Find your niche
Make your podcast about something specific that you're passionate about. This helps you stand out and connect with listeners who are into the same things.

Engage with your audience
Talk to your listeners through Spotify's Q&As and polls. This interaction makes them feel part of your podcast community.

Promote on social media
Create accounts just for your podcast. Post about new episodes, share behind-the-scenes content, and use hashtags to join wider conversations. Check out this article from MeetEdgar for more tips on promoting your podcast on social media.

Create a website
A dedicated website or blog can help new listeners find you through search engines. Add interesting content related to your podcast's topics to attract more visitors.

Email newsletters

Keep your audience updated with emails. Tease upcoming episodes, share exclusive content, and make it easy for fans to subscribe directly from your website or social media.

Make your episodes easy to find

Use clear, compelling descriptions with relevant keywords. This helps your podcast show up in searches, both on Spotify and on search engines.

Collaborate with other podcasters

Work with other creators to reach new audiences. Guest appearances and shoutouts can introduce your podcast to potential new listeners.

Utilise video content

Video podcasts and short clips can attract viewers and convert them into listeners. Share these on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Welcome guests

Invite interesting guests to your podcast. They can share the episode with their followers, bringing new listeners your way.

Encourage ratings and reviews

Ask your listeners to rate and review your podcast. High ratings can make your podcast more appealing to potential new listeners.

Create a podcast trailer

A short, catchy trailer can hook new listeners by giving them a taste of what your show offers.

Remember, growing your podcast audience takes time and effort. Stay patient, keep creating great content, and engage with your listeners. Your audience will grow as more people discover your podcast's value.

For more info, check out Spotify's detailed guide on how to grow your podcast.

TYX Studios—your partner in podcast success!

At TYX Studios, we believe that every podcast has the potential to make a significant impact, and your unique voice deserves to be heard. Implementing the tips we've discussed will help set the foundation for that growth, but the most important factor is your passion and dedication to your show.

Stay consistent, be patient, and keep refining your approach. The trick is finding that balance between your vision and what works best for your audience. Remember, the podcasting journey is a marathon, not a sprint. With each new episode, you're creating opportunities to reach more listeners and make a lasting impression.

We're excited to see where your podcasting journey takes you. Happy podcasting from all of us at TYX Studios!

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