77 Comments

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.

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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.

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I heard something nicer is coming very soon ...

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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.

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Would like to see an option to disable downloads of podcasts.

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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!

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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...

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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

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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!

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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.

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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 :)

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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?

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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

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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.

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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?

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Yay, thanks Katie, the new features are coming hot and heavy, it's great!

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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

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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?

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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?

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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.

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Can the audio be edited in Substack or within the original audio format program?

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We don't offer editing services (yet)

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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

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Will you be offering video?

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Video is in beta on Substack! You can learn more and request access here https://on.substack.com/p/video-on-substack

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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!

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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.

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I subbed :) More mystics - more oneness = better world for all!!

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Thank you, Lily Chili! I shall sub back.

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<3 <3 Thank you. Have a wonderful night (if it's eve where you are)

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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That's awesome! Do you know when it will be released for everybody? TY <3

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Hopefully in the near future, stay tuned!

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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?

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I tried to upload my audio file for my podcast but it keeps telling me' something went wrong'. Any advice?

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Can I disable publish to apple podcast please?

Making a new podcast/audio file only available on substack - online and the app and download?

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I don't want to show podcasts inside my posts in the home page, Want to keep them separate.

How i can do that ?

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Thanks! ¡Gracias!

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