TL;DR
To get on Apple Podcasts, you need a valid RSS feed from your host, then you submit it via Apple Podcasts Connect.
- Publish your show in your hosting platform
- Copy your RSS feed URL
- Submit in Apple Podcasts Connect and fix validation issues
- Add a “leave a voice message” CTA in your show description and show notes
- Try whatayarn to collect listener voicemails
Apple Podcasts is one of the biggest directories in podcasting.
Getting approved is mostly about having a clean RSS feed and correct metadata.
Starting from scratch? Read How to Start a Podcast in 2026 .
What you need before you submit
Before Apple will accept your show, make sure you have:
- A podcast host
- A published RSS feed URL
- Cover art
- Title and description
- At least one episode (often recommended)
Hosting guide: Best Podcast Hosting for Beginners.
RSS explainer: Podcast RSS Feed Explained.
Step-by-step: submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts
Step 0: Validate your RSS feed before submitting
People usually land on this page when something breaks. Before you submit, check:
- Cover art: readable at thumbnail size + correct requirements from your host
- Explicit flag: matches your content (clean vs explicit)
- Episode titles: clear titles (not “Episode 12”)
- Audio URLs: episodes play end-to-end (no broken links)
- Categories: set in your hosting platform
Here’s a quick “error → fix” map you can use when Apple rejects something:
| Common error | Quick fix |
|---|---|
| Cover art rejected | Too much small text, wrong dimensions, or low contrast |
| Episode won’t play | Broken audio URL (re-export/re-upload in your host) |
| Explicit mismatch | Update the explicit flag in your host, then resubmit |
| Category missing | Set categories in your host and revalidate |
Step 1: Publish your show in your host
Fill in your show settings:
- Title
- Description
- Categories
- Explicit/clean flag
- Cover art
Step 2: Copy your RSS feed URL
Your host will show your RSS feed URL in settings/distribution.
Step 3: Sign in to Apple Podcasts Connect
Use an Apple ID and open Apple Podcasts Connect. (Apple’s UI changes, but the process remains the same.)
Step 4: Add a new show via RSS feed
Paste your RSS feed URL and let Apple validate it.
Step 5: Fix any validation errors
Apple will flag common issues like:
- Missing cover art requirements
- Incorrect episode metadata
- Broken audio file URLs
- Missing required RSS fields
Step 6: Submit for review
Once validation is clean, submit for review and wait for approval.
Common Apple Podcasts submission mistakes
- Unreadable cover art (too much small text)
- Wrong explicit flag
- Broken audio URLs (episodes won’t play)
- Publishing without a clear description
CTA patterns that work in Apple Podcasts descriptions
Apple listeners often read the show description and show notes.
Use a two-step CTA:
- Follow the show
- Reply with one specific prompt
Copy/paste:
Show notes template: Podcast Show Notes Template.
Create your voice message linkChecklist to Get Started
- ✅ Choose hosting and confirm your RSS feed URL
- ✅ Submit your RSS feed in Apple Podcasts Connect
- ✅ Fix validation issues (cover art, explicit flag, audio URLs)
- ✅ Add a voicemail CTA in your show description + episode notes
FAQs about Apple Podcasts submission
Final Word
Apple approval is a checklist problem. Growth is an engagement problem.
If you want the simplest engagement CTA to add in your Apple show notes:
Create your voice message link