83 Comments
User's avatar
Aaron Ross Powell's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Aaron Ross Powell's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Bailey @ Substack's avatar

I heard something nicer is coming very soon ...

Expand full comment
Sean Adams's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Evan J. Xavier's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Judah Freed's avatar

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!

Expand full comment
Kathy Martens's avatar

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...

Expand full comment
Judah Freed's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Nadee's avatar

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!

Expand full comment
Judah Freed's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Nadee's avatar

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 :)

Expand full comment
Lava Lamp Lounge's avatar

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?

Expand full comment
Dhruva Pandey's avatar

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

How i can do that ?

Expand full comment
ric leczel's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Katie @ Substack's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
John Mulnix's avatar

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?

Expand full comment
ric leczel's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Sophie Hansen's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Clearing a New Path's avatar

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?

Expand full comment
John Mulnix's avatar

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?

Expand full comment
Christian Gurtner's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Chevanne Scordinsky's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Bailey @ Substack's avatar

We don't offer editing services (yet)

Expand full comment
mcsvbff bebh's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Sarah's avatar

Will you be offering video?

Expand full comment
Katie @ Substack's avatar

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

Expand full comment
JCStudResDoc94's avatar

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!

Expand full comment
Brenda Cordray's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Sarah's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Brenda Cordray's avatar

Thank you, Lily Chili! I shall sub back.

Expand full comment
Sarah's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Cole Noble's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Sarah's avatar

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!

Expand full comment
Cole Noble's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Sarah's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Sarah's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Sarah's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Katie @ Substack's avatar

Hopefully in the near future, stay tuned!

Expand full comment
Hertzdame's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Kurt Frehe's avatar

May 25: Same here. No idea how to connect a human being at Substack support. Did you find a solution for this?

Expand full comment
Hertzdame's avatar

No, no solution so far, just frustrated.

Expand full comment
Monica's avatar

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?

Expand full comment
Matt Handley Sr's avatar

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?

Expand full comment
Eccentric Creativity's avatar

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

Expand full comment