Adding RSS Feeds to Spotify: A Comprehensive Guide

Can you add an RSS feed to Spotify? In short, the straightforward answer is: No, you cannot directly add an RSS feed to Spotify anymore. Spotify discontinued support for RSS feeds for podcasts directly within the app in 2017. This feature, which was a core part of Spotify’s early podcast ambitions, allowed users to subscribe to podcasts by pasting an RSS feed URL. However, Spotify now relies on a curated catalog and distribution channels managed by podcast hosting platforms and distributors. While you cannot directly add an RSS feed, you can find nearly all podcasts by searching within the Spotify app. This process typically involves the podcast creator or distributor submitting the podcast to Spotify through a specific channel.

The Evolution of Podcasts on Spotify

From Open Feeds to Curated Experience

Early in its podcasting venture, Spotify embraced the open nature of RSS, allowing users to manually input podcast feeds. This made Spotify a flexible platform, akin to a traditional podcast app. However, as Spotify’s ambitions for podcasting grew, they shifted toward a more curated and controlled ecosystem. This decision aimed to improve user experience, streamline podcast discovery, and provide better analytics for podcasters.

The move away from direct RSS feed additions meant Spotify could maintain quality control over the content available on its platform. It allowed them to enforce content policies, reduce copyright infringement, and implement monetization strategies more effectively. This curated approach is now the industry standard for most major music and audio streaming platforms.

Understanding Spotify’s Current Podcasting Ecosystem

Today, Spotify operates like most large podcast platforms. Podcasters or their hosting providers submit their shows through specific channels. Once accepted, Spotify adds the podcast to its catalog, making it discoverable to millions of users. This system ensures podcasts meet Spotify’s technical requirements and comply with its content guidelines.

For listeners, this means that instead of manually adding RSS feeds, you now search for podcasts directly within the Spotify app. The search functionality is quite powerful, allowing you to find podcasts by title, host name, keywords, or even episode topics.

Navigating Podcast Discovery on Spotify

Searching and Subscribing to Podcasts

Finding podcasts on Spotify is a user-friendly experience. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Open the Spotify app: Launch Spotify on your mobile device or desktop.
2. Navigate to the “Search” tab: This is usually located at the bottom of the app on mobile devices and on the left-hand side on desktop.
3. Enter your search query: Type in the name of the podcast, host, or a relevant keyword.
4. Browse the search results: Spotify will display podcasts, episodes, playlists, and other relevant content.
5. Select the desired podcast: Click on the podcast’s artwork or title.
6. Follow the podcast: On the podcast’s page, click the “Follow” button. This adds the podcast to your library and ensures you are notified of new episodes.

Using Spotify’s Podcast Recommendations

Spotify’s algorithm is designed to suggest podcasts that align with your listening habits. The more you use Spotify, the better its recommendations become. Here are a few tips for leveraging Spotify’s recommendations:

• Listen actively: Pay attention to podcasts that interest you and skip those that don’t. This helps Spotify understand your preferences.
• Explore curated playlists: Spotify often features curated podcast playlists based on genre, topic, or mood.
• Check out “Your Daily Podcasts”: This personalized playlist provides a selection of episodes based on your listening history.

How Podcasters Get Their Shows on Spotify

Submission Process Through Podcast Hosting Platforms

Most podcasters don’t directly upload their shows to Spotify. Instead, they rely on podcast hosting platforms like Libsyn, Buzzsprout, Anchor, or Podbean. These platforms handle the technical aspects of hosting and distributing podcasts, including generating the RSS feed.

The process typically involves the following steps:

1. Create an account with a podcast hosting platform.
2. Upload your podcast episodes to the platform.
3. Submit your podcast’s RSS feed to Spotify through the hosting platform’s integration feature. Most hosting platforms have a one-click submission process.
4. Wait for Spotify to approve your submission. This process usually takes a few days.
5. Once approved, your podcast will be available on Spotify.

Direct Submission via Spotify for Podcasters (Anchor)

Spotify acquired Anchor in 2019, making it easier for podcasters to get their shows on the platform. Anchor is a free podcast hosting platform that directly integrates with Spotify. Using Anchor, podcasters can:

• Create and host their podcasts for free.
• Distribute their podcasts to Spotify and other platforms with one click.
• Monetize their podcasts through Spotify Audience Network and other tools.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why did Spotify remove the ability to directly add RSS feeds?

Spotify removed the direct RSS feed addition feature to centralize control over its podcast catalog, improve content moderation, and enhance the overall user experience. This shift allowed them to implement better analytics and monetization strategies for podcasters.

2. Is there a workaround to add RSS feeds to Spotify?

Unfortunately, there is no officially supported workaround to directly add RSS feeds to Spotify. The best approach is to search for the podcast within the app.

3. Can I listen to private or premium podcasts on Spotify?

Premium podcasts that are available only to paying subscribers require a specific integration that is not generally available for all podcasts on Spotify. If a podcast offers a Spotify-specific subscription option, you can subscribe through Spotify and access the premium content within the app. Private podcasts, which require a unique link or authentication, cannot be directly accessed through Spotify in most cases.

4. How do I suggest a podcast to Spotify if it’s not already available?

As a listener, you cannot directly add a podcast to Spotify. The podcaster must submit their show to Spotify through a podcast hosting platform or directly through Spotify for Podcasters (Anchor). You can suggest that they do so!

5. What are the best podcast hosting platforms for Spotify?

Popular podcast hosting platforms that offer seamless integration with Spotify include Libsyn, Buzzsprout, Anchor, Podbean, Spreaker, and Transistor. Each platform offers different features and pricing plans, so choose one that best suits your needs.

6. How long does it take for a podcast to appear on Spotify after submission?

The approval process usually takes a few days to a week. The exact timeframe depends on Spotify’s review queue and the accuracy of the podcast’s metadata.

7. Can I transfer my podcast subscriptions from another app to Spotify?

There is no direct transfer feature to import podcast subscriptions from other apps to Spotify. You will need to manually search for and follow each podcast within the Spotify app.

8. How can podcasters track their podcast’s performance on Spotify?

Spotify provides podcasters with detailed analytics through Spotify for Podcasters. This includes data on listener demographics, episode performance, engagement metrics, and more.

9. What is the Spotify Audience Network?

The Spotify Audience Network (SPAN) is an advertising platform that allows podcasters to monetize their content by inserting ads into their episodes. Podcasters can opt into SPAN through Spotify for Podcasters (Anchor) or by working with an approved ad network.

10. Does Spotify offer any podcast editing tools?

Anchor (Spotify for Podcasters) offers basic podcast editing tools, allowing podcasters to record, edit, and enhance their audio directly within the platform.

11. What are the technical requirements for podcasts on Spotify?

Spotify recommends that podcasts are submitted in MP3 or AAC format, with a bitrate of at least 128 kbps. The podcast should also have clear audio quality and accurate metadata.

12. How can I report a podcast on Spotify for violating content guidelines?

You can report a podcast on Spotify by navigating to the podcast’s page and clicking the three dots (ellipsis) menu. Select the “Report” option and follow the prompts to provide details about the violation.