Podcasting questions answered
Answers to common questions about podcasting on Substack.
When publishing a podcast on Substack, you can share free episodes broadly—publishing to your Substack subscribers and listeners on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or Pocket Casts simultaneously.
But podcasting on Substack offers you some superpowers:
Own your audience: Just like everything else on Substack, podcasters will always own their email lists. Export listeners’ emails and walk away at any time if you wish.
Direct connections with your listener community: On Substack, podcasting can transform from a one-way megaphone into more of a conversation. Invite listeners to weigh in on episodes directly with you and with each other through comments and discussion threads, or not. You’re in control.
Enrich the listener experience: Publishing essays, additional audio, video, and extended show notes is easy when you distribute your podcast through Substack.
Seamless paywall: Substack is the only podcasting host where free listeners can convert to paid subscribers in one space. Share free episodes broadly, or consider putting episodes or (premium) content behind a paywall to build a subscription business around your podcast.
Own your content: Podcasters retain all rights on the work they publish, including the rights to republish material elsewhere, and media rights. Substack takes no cut of any potential movie or TV adaptations.
If you’re interested in starting a new podcast or migrating a podcast from another hosting platform to Substack, here are some answers to common podcasting questions.
Will I keep the email addresses for my podcast listeners?
You will always own your subscribers’ email addresses and be able to export them at any time, if you wish. When a new person subscribes from the Substack iOS app or the Substack website, you’ll get their email address.
If you distribute your podcast through other hosting platforms, there will be a distinction between people who listen on those podcasting apps and people who subscribe directly to your Substack.
How can subscribers listen to podcasts hosted on Substack?
You can listen from your email, in the new Substack iOS app, or on the web, as well as register your podcast to be distributed (via RSS feed) to Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Spotify (public feeds only), and more. You can find more information on how to distribute your podcast to other platforms here.
How do free and paid subscriptions work with podcasts?
Free subscribers get all free episodes in their podcast feed. They do not see any paid or paywalled content in their feed.
Paying subscribers can listen seamlessly in the Substack iOS app, or will receive a private RSS feed that they can enter into an alternative podcast player of their choice. This link is included in their welcome email and is accessible on the Substack episode page.
What happens when a writer uses the early-access feature for a podcast?
If you use the early-access feature for a podcast episode, the episode will be initially posted for subscribers only and distributed via private RSS feeds. When the post is opened for all subscribers, it is then sent out to public RSS feeds in addition to free subscribers' email inboxes.
How do I set up a podcast on Substack?
We created a step-by-step guide here.
How much does it cost to host my podcast on Substack?
It's free to host and distribute podcasts via Substack. Podcasters who turn on paid subscriptions keep 90% of their revenue, minus credit card fees.
What about advertising?
Just the way we believe writers should be rewarded directly by readers for the value of the writing they produce, we feel podcasters should be rewarded by listeners in a direct relationship via subscription, with no intermediaries, advertising, or algorithms.
How do podcast listens show up in the dashboard stats?
You can view podcast-specific stats, like total downloads and average downloads after publish date, in the Podcast tab on your main dashboard. There, you’ll also see an Episodes table where you can see publish date, downloads, and paid subscriptions per episode, as well as tables for Top countries and Top players, so you can understand where your audience is listening. Stats for each episode post (e.g. link clickthrough) can also be viewed in the Posts dashboard.
We’ve added new articles to our support center about podcasting. If you’re having trouble, head there.
If you have questions about how the app works, you can ask those in the comments section of this post and we’ll do our best to answer.
Is there a way to automatically show direct links to a podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.? Right now, episode pages just show a (very small) "Listen in podcast app" link, and that takes you to a page that makes you email yourself to get links.
I'd much prefer the ability to just display direct links to the various services the way other podcast hosts do, both on individual episode pages and on the /podcast homepage.
I figured out a hack to get part way there, at least until Substack adds the ability to show links. In your Substack settings, go to "Recommended Links" and add links to your show at the various apps, with the "Group" set to something like "Listen to the Podcast." Those links will show up on your home page, but also on your podcast home page if you have the podcast tab option turned on in the settings. It ends up looking like this: https://www.reimaginingliberty.com/podcast
The only problem is while the links are prominent when viewing the page in a desktop browser, in a mobile browser, everything's forced to a single column, and they get pushed all the way to the bottom of that, beneath the episode list.
So, not ideal, but better than nothing.
I heard something nicer is coming very soon ...
Any update on when this change might come? We're managing to get a decent impact on the Apple Podcast chart (top 20 in the UK) but missing out on users who've signed up with RSS link rather than subscribing on Apple directly. I'm sure you know what a big difference prominence on the Apple charts and potential editorial support makes, so would be huge if this small change could be implemented in the dropdown.
Would like to see an option to disable downloads of podcasts.
I have a podcast on Buzzsprout that enjoys international distribution. Is there as way I can import that podcast to substack while still hosting it at Buzzsprout?
OR, is there any issue with posting the same content at Substack that I post at Buzzsprout. Louis says that since I own the IP right, I should be able to distribute both ways, but I'm unsure.
Clarity welcome!
Did you ever get an answer to this question Judah? I also have my pod hosted with BSprout and would like to have it in both places...
Hi Kathy -
Spoke with Buzzsprout and got email reply from Substack. Was told that I CAN import my Buzzsprout podcast, but I have not yet created time to do so, let alone create additional posts. Stay tuned.
I hope to be mindful enough to notify you here when the import is done, yet I suggest you do a freebie subscription to get an alert when I've achieved it
https://judahfreed.substack.com
Blessings,
Judah
I'm looking for info about this same thing. I just imported my podcast to Substack (I host on Buzzsprout) thinking I could have it in both places at once - it was super easy. But I'd like to continue hosting on Buzzsprout and just importing relevant episodes to Substack as I publish them. Perhaps I should have researched this a little more before importing!
Good for you! My Buzsprout podcast feed has been imported to Substack as a freebie for subscribers and l followers.
Now I'm trying resolve the ethical issue of making my Buzzsprout podcast into a PAID subscription on Substack while still offering it for free on all the Buzsprout outlets like Apple, Tune In. iHeart, and more worldwide.*
How can I ask to be paid here for what's free elsewhere? Feedback welcome.
* FYI, I skip Amazon on Buzzsprout because their rights license is too lopsided, I feel.
Thanks Judah!
As to your question about how to ask to be paid here for what's free elsewhere, I have a couple of thoughts for consideration :)
First, could you add some value to your Substack subscribers that they don't get by subscribing elsewhere? Perhaps some insights they can't see anywhere else, or resources related to the episode?
The other way of looking at it as that it's simply a choice for the subscriber. Perhaps they prefer Substack over anywhere else, and paying for the convenience of having your podcast here is worth it to them (and maybe they don't want it elsewhere). Maybe it's simply a way for them to show you appreciation and support, that they cannot do if they subscribe on another platform.
Just some thoughts for you :)
When I upload a new podcast Episode 2 on Substack will it also post to Spotify automatically? I recently linked it to Spotify and it has Episode 1 available, but I do not see Episode 2. Does it take a while to get shown on Spotify or is there an extra step?
Here is what I want to do:
i have over a year of posts I want to go back and add a "listen to this post" so I get how I can add a single podcast to a prior post. I want to record a months worth of posts, say March 2021, that has 5 articles. Can I make a new post with 5 separate audio files? The goal is that a reader/listener can click "March 2021" and listen to all 5 articles.
thanks
ric
Hey Ric, sounds like you want to have multiple audio files in one post. We've heard requests from others for a feature like this, especially musicians, and it's on our radar. Stay tuned.
I'm still interested but I've got a few questions-
I use Fireside for hosting right now. They have really good stats and a ton of controls over podcast episodes. Can you share screenshots of the dashboards/tools/etc. I can't seem to find examples of these tools.
What happens to a massive back catalog of episodes? Do they show up as separate posts?
The hosting is free now, what's the plan for charging in the future?
Are there web player options for embedding episodes in websites?
Yay, thanks Katie, the new features are coming hot and heavy, it's great!
I don't want to show podcasts inside my posts in the home page, Want to keep them separate.
How i can do that ?
Hello. We have a podcast (Something to Eat and Something to Read) and currently use Lybsn to host it and share on Apple/Spotify etc. I would like to switch to Substack for the pod but dont' want to lose season one/our subscribers etc. Does anyone know if it's possible to switch to Substack as our podcast hosting platform and keep our existing episodes/audience? Thank you! Sophie
Was this answered? I'm looking to leave my RSS provider (because of cost) and was hoping I can host it from Substack but I'm not sure that's possible?
A few questions-
I use Fireside for hosting right now. They have really good stats and a ton of controls over podcast episodes. Can you share screenshots of the dashboards/tools/etc. I can't seem to find examples of these tools.
What happens to a massive back catalog of episodes? Do they show up as separate posts?
The hosting is free now, what's the plan for charging in the future?
Are there web player options for embedding episodes in websites?
The feed are not properley encoded to handle special characters like ã, á, â etc. This makes lots of words in portuguese appearing badly in itunes, spotify etc... Another thing, the episode images are not beeing sent to the platforms via feed and then, not beeing shown in the platforms.
Can the audio be edited in Substack or within the original audio format program?
We don't offer editing services (yet)
I want a private RSS feed that includes paid written content as well. Substack pretends to be open and accessible but they lack support for the most basic RSS feature you could ask for. VC money is going to make sure this is a closed ecosystem as quickly as possible
Will you be offering video?
Video is in beta on Substack! You can learn more and request access here https://on.substack.com/p/video-on-substack
video is still a bit chopy for my, i have been avoiding anything only put on subS, bc of buffering. but it was early, and has been a while. & the audio is fine. thx!
Video is working well for me. I answered the call to be a beta tester. The video I posted of a backyard hummingbird feeding brought rave reviews, and started people talking. Asking for ideas for podcast topics has created increased interaction as well. I think both add so much value to this platform. Thanks, Substack! It's fun to participate in the rollout of new features. I look forward to every Writer's Hours. Thanks for this, too.
I subbed :) More mystics - more oneness = better world for all!!
Thank you, Lily Chili! I shall sub back.
<3 <3 Thank you. Have a wonderful night (if it's eve where you are)
Video has been great so far in the beta program. My one question on the back-end: would it be possible to display total page views? I like getting the watch time information and total video plays.
But I'm aware that some people prefer to read my video posts rather than watching them. And they're missing from the analytics. I can still figure the number out, I just have to do extra math based on the open %, total subscriber number, and traffic source stats.
It seems weird to make people request it at this point it was supposed to be out for all a few weeks after a January post. Please make it public now! <3 Thx!
If I had to guess, they're worried about video storage. If they give it to everyone before they're prepared, it could completely swamp their servers.
Maybe. That could be a legit concern. In which case saying, "We're doing a slow rollout to be mindful of making sure we can handle the storage issues" would be super transparent. I love transparency and open communication. I'd love to either see everyone get it or a 100% honest explanation of the unexpected delay.
I think it's equally likely if alot of people post high vibe dance videos it might bust the dark lord's temporary control on the consciousness of humanity. Or something like that.
Interestingly the substack direct feature of my video, isn't working and my upload is extremely slow, so lucky for you, no dance video today. I had never heard a conspiracy theory of dark lord control by high vibe dancing. I respect your right to make a video about it though if you want to! My dance goes out to the universe with love for all, including you and everyone who opposes high vibe dancing, along with anything else based in love and truth that threatens the purse strings of those who'd keep things low vibe.
That's awesome! Do you know when it will be released for everybody? TY <3
Hopefully in the near future, stay tuned!
Looking at the "downloads" graph in the dashboard under podcast, I like that you can see the number of daily downloads. I want to see which episodes were down loaded on particular days. For example if I have a peak day of download activity and I know it is not necessarily from the most recent episode. I want to know what listeners are downloading on that day. I can't seem to find that data. Can anyone help?
I tried to upload my audio file for my podcast but it keeps telling me' something went wrong'. Any advice?
Can I disable publish to apple podcast please?
Making a new podcast/audio file only available on substack - online and the app and download?
Thanks! ¡Gracias!
Greeting, since today I'm not able to upload a more than one hour long podcast, it is a big issue for podcasters, is it possible to solve it please ?
Is there a feature to add multiple posts or podcasts in one go and send out under obe email all together enabled? I want to upload 10 new episodes (not link from elsewhere - upload fresh with some minor edits) and would to do this under cover of one email to all my subscribers not 10 to avoid deluge effect.
Thanks
Katie did this feature get enabled? I want to upload 10 new episodes (not link from elsewhere - upload fresh with some minor edits) and would to do this under cover of one email to all my subscribers not 10 to avoid deluge effect. Thanks
If I change my substack url will it impact the podcast rss url that is associated with it? I was hoping to redirect my podcast rss feed from my old substack to its own new substack, but I think that ends up creating a new rss feed, which is what I'm trying to avoid. Is it possible to do any of this or will I need to set the whole thing up in a new substack and then submit a new rss url to apple, spotify, etc?
I've started a 'podcast' but only to give our substack followers audio versions of our videos. What comes up under podcast on our homepage, is a link to Apple Podcasts (and we've not set anything up for Apple Podcasts). https://notesfromthepast.substack.com/ How do we get rid of this link, as it doesn't actually link to anything and is just confusing for those who would click on it?
There is a bug in the drop-down menu for setting podcast language. Language is always English, this cannot be changed, as it always sets itself back to English.
Is there any way to submit a bug report to support? Is there any support at all?
I have been struggling with this for weeks now, my experience with the support bot has been extremely unpleasant.
Hi! Tried to delete my old podcast, and it seems to have been cleared from Spotify, but it's still available on Apple Podcasts. What gives?
I host my podcast on Spotify for podcasters. My podcast updates everywhere else that my podcast is distributed except for Substack. I have to manually update it. I don't want to have to manually update it. Is there a way to resolve this?
Hi all. I'm not seeing very many questions being answered by SubS here... Is there somewhere else to get more expedient answers to technical questions like these???
How do I publish a post for free subscribers and do a read of that same post available only to paid subscribers?
I'm only now noticing that my podcast shows on Apple Podcast with my full email in the title. It says my Podcast title followed by (private feed for ***@gmail.com)
My podcast is not private so I'm not sure why that's there and I have no idea how to change this. Any help?
Is it possible to write a post first and then, after publishing it, add a podcast voice-over later? Or do I have to have the audio file attached to the post when it first gets published? TIA!
Is there a way in the Podcast Settlings to link your RSS to Amazon Music?
Why is Substack 3 days behind on the podcast postings for Joyce Vance and Heather Cox Richardson? I get my Robert Hubbell every day, but I see them 3 days late.
Thanks,
Jaquelin Harris
How can I reset a podcast episode to a draft? My VA put a typo in the episode title and although I've changed it the URL is now incorrect. Thanks
On my podcast page of my Substack it will not let anyone comment unless they are paid??? I do not have any paid option turned on for my Substack yet. Any ideas? My substack is http://rewskidotcom.substack.com
Thanks!
how long can my podcasts be on Substack?
How do you do a remote podcast with someone in another location in substack?
If my substack account is private, will my podcast episodes be private as well? I just transferred my podcast from spotify.
I like how you can split a post in two with free content at the top and a paywall halfway down for the rest of the post. I'd like to do that with some text at the top and the recording below the jump. But Substack wants the podcast to be at the top of the post. Any ideas for a work-around?
My welcome emails didn't include the automatic "private podcast set up" link at the bottom because I hadn't yet set up my podcast (I'm guessing that's why). How do I now tell those subscribers how to get the podcast? Also, I want to make the first episode available to all subs to try and encourage some to upgrade to paid. How do I grant them access to the show? Finally, if I want this to be a primarily private podcast feed only for paid subs, should I have submitted it to Apple?
Can anyone help me with this - can you have a free and paid version of the same podcast? ie the paid version has bonus content on there? Or can you only send a free preview version of the paid podcast?
Is there a way to retrieve a podcast episode that's been deleted by recorded locally right into Substack? It doesn't come up in drafts, but would think it would be somewhere on substack's servers?
Hello!
I find my episodes are updating across all platforms except substack. The initial import captured my library, however, since then, as I update the main platform hosting the episodes, substack is the only location that remains stagnant. Do I have to manually load each episode here if I do not host directly on substack?
hello a very new person here - I use Podsqueeze to help me create show notes etc.
Do I have to publish an episode to get the RSS Feed link? I can't find anywhere that answers this. I batch record and schedule, but I'd like to do notes, links and my newsletter in advance too
thanks for any advice.
Is there a way to stop podcast episodes from appearing in the Home tab? I was hoping to silo my writing and my recorded content since there is a default podcast link at the top of the page. Should I have created my Pod in a section instead? If I move it to a section will break all of my distribution links?
Did you ever figure this out? I have the same question!
No. I ended up using tags to label podcast episodes and writing. Then under settings>site design, I turned on Groups. This segmented my homepage with the names of the tags. Hope this makes sense/helps!
I want to go back through more than a year's worth of postings and add a "listen to this post" link; thus, I need to figure out how to attach a single podcast to an older article. https://on.substack.com/p/podcastfaq/ https://retrotecmobowl.com
Can I upload wav audio files if my podcast is hosted on Substack?
Substack says that you can set up more than one podcast within the same substack. But if you do this, will it distribute as a separate podcast to apple, spotify etc? At the moment, it looks like you can only distribute one podcast per substack. Is this correct? I really need help with this and cannot find this information anywhere! Thanks.
I'm preparing a podcast that is a series of short motivational meditations. A few will be free, and most will be by subscription. My questions are about music licenses. Can I use CC BY NC for the free episodes and CC BY for the subscription episodes? What other license categories are allowed? Please and thank you.
I added a podcast to substack and it will not update past Feb. of 2022
Can you host multiple podcasts on Substack or only one
I would like to STRONGLY suggest that we be able to organize the podcast this way:
Blog above, then free podcast, then some more text, then paywall.
I would like to be able to send my blog to EVERYONE, and ENTICE them to jump off my blog and into my podcast.
Can we, please? That would be so perfect!
Am I right in thinking that the numbers displayed in the podcast tab about downloads after 7/30/90 day covers downloads across all podcasting platforms i.e. if someone listens to my show in Apple Podcasts not Substack that is still included in the data?
Can I make my podcasts paid and all my other emails and print posts free? I don't want to go Paid all the way alerting new subscribers at sign on yet but I have some timely podcasts that are valuable before I go all paid..
Does percentage of links clicked mean percentage that actually listened?