You’re nearing the finish line for your podcast. The strategizing, planning, recording, and editing are finally done.
Now what?
Now it’s time to get your podcasts in front of the right people. This is achieved through an essential component of the podcast process: Publishing your show on podcast directories.
Much like you would have used a phonebook back in the day to look someone up, a podcast directory helps you find relevant podcasts. You can listen, subscribe, rate, and review, all in one place.
In this blog, we'll be outlining what podcast directories are, how you can get your podcast on them, and going over the top 16 directories to leverage in 2024.
What is a podcast directory?
A podcast directory is an application or website that gathers podcast RSS feeds and organizes them into various categories. These directories function as both a podcast player and a search engine for podcasts. Being listed in prominent podcast directories helps you:
- Attract new listeners: Exposure in a popular directory can bring in new audiences.
- Increase ratings and reviews: A higher visibility often leads to more listener feedback.
- Notify subscribers of new episodes: Subscribers can easily stay updated on the latest episodes.
How do I get my show on a podcast directory?
Once you've recorded and edited your show, you'll need to upload your episodes to a podcast hosting platform of your choice.
Once your episodes are uploaded, submit your podcast's RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed to various podcast directories. This submission is a one-time process; after your RSS feed is in the directories, they will automatically update with each new episode you release. This ensures your latest content is always available to your listeners without any additional effort on your part.
CoHost Tip: If you’re interested in learning how to get your podcast on all the major listening apps, consult our guide.
So, what are some of the biggest podcast directories today? Here is a brief overview of the directories you won’t want to ignore as a podcaster:
1. Spotify
Spotify recently overtook Apple Podcasts as the number-one podcast directory, accounting for 34% of all podcast downloads. In terms of demographics, Spotify Spotify skews significantly younger than Apple Podcasts. For people aged 65+, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts are most preferred after the radio.
Spotify also has their own highly exclusive podcast hosting platform called Megaphone, which is geared toward professional podcasters and enterprise publishers/networks with over 20,000 downloads per episode.
The company also owns the free platform, Spotify for Podcasters, that helps podcasters distribute, grow, and monetize their show. They have various advanced analytics data and advertising tools catered to beginners, pros, and everyone in between.
Another standout feature for Spotify is their integration with Patron - which allows your paying subscribers or "patreons" to listen to exclusive content directly in the Spotify app.
Acquiring Anchor in 2018 and Gimlet Media in 2019, Spotify is a massive player in podcasting that creators cannot afford to miss out on.
2. Apple Podcasts
Making up 32.5% of podcast downloads, Apple Podcasts is another top podcast directory not to miss.
Contrary to popular belief, Apple didn’t invent podcasting, but they were certainly one of the first players to hit the field when they added podcasting to its music software back in 2005.
As of late 2023, Apple Podcasts include episode art and a new Now Playing experience. This comes with a few other advancements including search filters and the ability to connect subscriptions to top apps from the App Store. Most recently, they've added transcripts for every podcast on the app for users using the latest version of iOS and iPadiOS.
Importantly, Apple Podcasts is also the home of podcast charts like New & Noteworthy and Top Charts, which is one of the most common ways podcast listeners discover new shows.
Apple Podcasts offers a variety of advertising and promotion options. Check them out here.
3. YouTube Podcasts
YouTube Podcasts has officially taken over Google Podcasts as the tech giant's main podcasting hub. With the platform boasting over 5x as many users as traditional podcast directories, the platform offers a lucrative opportunity creators are quickly taking advantage of.
To start a podcast on YouTube, you need to create a podcast playlist. You can either turn an existing playlist into a podcast playlist or create a new one specifically for your podcast episodes. Additionally, you can upload audio-only podcasts by converting them into audiograms, which are visual representations of audio files.
YouTube Studio offers comprehensive analytics to help you measure your podcast’s performance including metrics like average watch time, views, and audience retention.
4. Amazon Music and Audible
Combined, Amazon Music and Audible currently make up 1.4% of all podcast downloads. While that may not seem like much, the platforms do reach over 55 million listeners. Plus, over recent years, the platforms have begun to cater more to podcasts and offer many of their shows ad free to subscribers.
Much like Spotify for Podcasters, Amazon Music for Podcasters provides comprehensive analytics, giving you insights into listener engagement and audience growth.
Ultimately, for podcasters looking to reach listeners who prefer using Alexa-enabled devices or enjoy integrating podcasts into their audiobook routines, submitting your RSS feed to Amazon Music and Audible is a strategic move.
5. Podchaser
Often referred to as the “IMDB of podcasts,” Podchaser is website-only podcast directory that allows users to create curated podcast lists and connect with other like-minded podcast lovers in the community. It offers a tool for listeners to build a feed of their favorite shows, as well as a list of the most popular shows that should be on your radar right now.
The platform makes use of its impressive podcast database to offer helpful features like the ability to claim, customize, and promote your podcast page, which will ultimately help you grow your audience and strengthen your community. Furthermore, podcasters have the ability to incorporate merchandise offerings through their own virtual storefront.
Lastly, the platform has released Podchaser Pro, an all in one podcast research, planning, and monitoring tool for advertisers.
6. iHeart Radio
You may recognize them for their music, but iHeart Radio is the number one podcast publisher around the world with over 250,000 podcasts - including some of your favorites like Stuff You Should Know and Disgraceland.
Although iHeart Radio is accessible only in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand, it still manages to reach a wider audience compared to many other apps - the most recent research sites that they have a user base of over 128 million people. This is partially due to its vast accessibility - you can tune into iHeart on over 250 different devices.
Reaching 9/10 Americans a month, iHeart has a variety of competitive advertising options to consider.
7. Castbox
Currently responsible for 2% of all podcast downloads, Castbox is one of the top free podcast directories available with over 95 million volumes of content available across Android, Apple iPhone, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Carplay, and Android Auto.
Castbox distinguishes itself through SEO and AI-enhanced functionalities, simplifying the search experience for its users. When you choose to showcase your podcast on Castbox, you'll be apart of the Creator Studio, equipped with podcast analytics and social capabilities that empower podcasters to interact with their audience.
8. Podcast Addict
If you’re hoping to reach Android users, Podcast Addict is another essential podcast directory to list your show. Podcast Addict holds the top spot among Android podcast apps, boasting a remarkable 10 million downloads and 500,000 reviews. This feature-rich platform provides cloud backup, powerful audio customization, and the convenience of offline listening.
9. Overcast
Overcast is an award-winning podcast player for iOS users. The platform has set itself apart from the competition with several unique features like Smart Speed, which allows users to speed up podcasts without distortion, and Voice Boost, which ensures you can hear your favorite shows loud and clear regardless of your surroundings. For only $10 a year, Overcast allows users to hide ads completely, which is another big draw for many listeners.
10. Player FM
Player FM is a multi-platform podcast app that helps listeners find new shows they’ll love. It lists over 20 million free podcasts across different hosting sites, which helps it maintain a diverse and eclectic selection of fascinating pods. Additionally, PlayerFM has an array of advanced search features that make it perfect for discoverability.
PlayerFM helps you and your team build out an advertising strategy for their platform. Submit the form and learn more here.
11. Acast
As one of the largest podcast companies in the world with over 60 million monthly active users, Acast is another important podcast app to add to your list. Along with being a podcast directory, Acast is also a network and provides hosting, analytics, ads, growth support, and more, making it a great full-service option for all podcasters.
Plus, with over 125,000 podcasts listened to more than 400 million times every month, Acast offers a lot of promising advertising options. The company has an audience-first approach to advertising. Simply select your objective and start advertising on the platform.
12. Pandora
Strictly for U.S. listeners, Pandora is a prominent player in the audio streaming industry with over 64 million active monthly listeners and 13 Billion stations created. A subsidiary of SiriusXM, the platform offers an extensive collection of podcasts in addition to its music streaming services.
What sets Pandora apart is its distinctive personalized listening experience, powered by the innovative Music Genome Project technology. This sophisticated algorithm delves into individual listener preferences, enabling the creation of tailored playlists and recommendations that align with each listener's distinct tastes.
13. PocketCasts
Calling itself a podcast app “for listeners, by listeners,” Pocket Casts is a great listening platform for anyone who likes a little extra customization. Partially owned by NPR, the platform is full of nifty tools and personalized elements so listeners can find shows they’ll love and organize their favorites in a way that makes sense to them.
PocketCasts offers a variety of advertising options to get your show in front of some of the most lota listeners.
14. TuneIn
TuneIn serves as the primary podcast player for Amazon Alexa gadgets, delivering internet radio and podcasts to a vast community of over 75 million engaged users.
While it may represent a mere 0.1% of podcast downloads, securing inclusion on this platform opens up distinctive avenues for your podcast's reach, including accessibility in unconventional locales like Tesla vehicles.
15. The Podcast Index
Created by one of the inventors of podcasting, Adam Curry, and developer Dave Jones, the Podcast Index is a podcast directory designed to protect and preserve the indie podcast ecosystem. The platform does this by steering clear of advertising completely, and remaining free and open for any creators to use.
This index system not only verifies information within pre-existing directories but also facilitates seamless submission directly through your chosen podcast hosting platform.
The Podcast Index does not have advertising capabilities.
16. SoundCloud
SoundCloud functions as both a social network and a streaming platform, providing users with the ability to engage through comments, likes, and shares of the audio content they're enjoying. The app is available across the web, iOS, Android, Sonos, Chromecast, and Xbox One, so you’ll be reaching a broad audience base through SoundCloud.
While Soundcloud is excellent for fostering audience engagement, it may fall short in catering to podcasters' needs.
SoundCloud does however provide advertising support for brands and creators. Learn more about their advertising options here.
Podcast hosting platforms
To make the publication process easier, we highly suggest leveraging a podcast hosting platform with automatic publishing to podcast dictionaries. This automation not only saves time and effort but also maximizes your discoverability and reach.
In short, podcast hosting platforms create and maintain a standardized RSS feed. This feed is then submitted to multiple podcast directories, enabling your content to be automatically updated and accessible to your audience across the globe.
Here are a few of our favorites:
CoHost
CoHost is a podcast analytics, hosting, and audience insights platform. It goes beyond simple distribution to various podcast directories, offering you an extensive set of data and insights to assess your show's performance, understand your audience, and gauge its reception.
Some key hosting features include:
- One click publishing: Publish your episode across all listening platforms including Apple, Spotify, Google, and Amazon.
- Customized media players: Embed your podcast episodes into any website and customize your media player to fit your brand.
- Multi-show management: Switch between client or brand shows without ever having to log out of your account.
- Team collaboration: Invite team members or clients to CoHost while maintaining permissions control and account security
PodBean
PodBean has become a very popular podcast hosting platform and is ideal for beginner to intermediate podcasters. With unlimited hosting and bandwidth, it is suitable for high-volume podcasters.
Here are a few more key features:
- Built-in monetization options: This includes things like patron support and a marketplace for finding sponsors.
- Video capabilities: Podbean supports both video and audio podcasts.
- Simple recording and publication options: Allows you to record and publish episodes directly from your mobile device.
Spotify for Podcasters (formally Anchor)
Spotify for Podcasters is a free podcast hosting platform, making it ideal for podcasters on a budget or for those just starting out.
Here are some more key features:
- Listener analytics: Including episode drop-off, location, demographics, listening platform, and more
- Sponsorships: Available only to US users to monetize their podcast
- Audience engagement tools: Including Q&As and polls
- Listener support: Provides listeners the option to donate to your series
Expand your show’s reach with podcast directories
Whether you're a podcast creator looking to expand your reach or a devoted listener seeking fresh, engaging content, these podcast directories are a great place to start. From established giants like Apple Podcasts and Spotify to emerging platforms catering to niche interests - there's something for everyone.
If you’re looking to take your podcast to the next level, our team of audio experts is always happy to chat!
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