Podcast Help Desk™

One thing you can always say about how podcasting works, it's always changing. The last couple of weeks it seems that there is a sort of shift in how it works on basic levels. Or, does it work the same and only some apps are changing? Apple changed Subscribe to Follow for free podcasts. Apple added "Subscribe" for premium podcasting. Spotify say "Me too!" and adds Premium Podcasting for a very limited number of people. Apple may have changed how their app works when it comes to "followed"...

One thing you can always say about how podcasting works, it's always changing. The last couple of weeks it seems that there is a sort of shift in how it works on basic levels. Or, does it work the same and only some apps are changing? Apple changed Subscribe to Follow for free podcasts. Apple added "Subscribe" for premium podcasting. Spotify say "Me too!" and adds Premium Podcasting for a very limited number of people. Apple may have changed how their app works when it comes to "followed"...

Apple announced "Subscriptions" after changing the name of subscribing to a free podcast to "Follow". We have more details about that system. Today I will attempt to tell you, technically, how this is going to work and what it will not do.

Apple announced "Subscriptions" after changing the name of subscribing to a free podcast to "Follow". We have more details about that system. Today I will attempt to tell you, technically, how this is going to work and what it will not do.

100% my opinion. I air my podcasting grievances.

100% my opinion. I air my podcasting grievances.

I love it when people correct me! Andy Lehman tells me all about what I didn't get quite right about the Podcast Namespace.

In the history of podcasting, there have been a few Namespaces added to RSS to make podcasting work. Apple added the namespace, Google added the namespace and even Blubrry added the namespace. Now there is a new one done by independent podcasters, app developers, companies and other interested people called the namespace. It's done by the Podcast Index people at https://podcastindex.org. I explain what a namespace is and go over the new tags being added by the "podcast" namespace.

Today I want to go back to the REAL basics of how podcasting works. So, without going into a history lesson, podcasting has worked the same way since it started 16 years ago. (some say longer).

Today I want to go back to the REAL basics of how podcasting works. So, without going into a history lesson, podcasting has worked the same way since it started 16 years ago. (some say longer).

Why would build your podcast on someone else's platform when you can build your own?

Why would build your podcast on someone else's platform when you can build your own?

In 2020, the podcast industry added over 1 million shows. Out of 1.7 million shows listed on Apple, 60% (ish) are inactive.

In 2020, the podcast industry added over 1 million shows. Out of 1.7 million shows listed on Apple, 60% (ish) are inactive.

Here is what I do. I do more show prep. It seems I get more motivated to podcast if I do show prep on a show I'm about to record.

Here is what I do. I do more show prep. It seems I get more motivated to podcast if I do show prep on a show I'm about to record.

There are lots of apps you can use to play podcasts. As a podcaster I'm sure you are also a podcast listener. Here is my top 6 (in reverse order of use).

There are lots of apps you can use to play podcasts. As a podcaster I'm sure you are also a podcast listener. Here is my top 6 (in reverse order of use).

RSS is what powers podcasting. In fact, this is why podcasting even exists. The enclosure tag in RSS2 allows you to “attach” a media file. Mainly an MP3 but you can also attach just about any media like a video file, a PDF or ebook file. “Podcasting” is mostly audio but there are some that do video via RSS.

RSS is what powers podcasting. In fact, this is why podcasting even exists. The enclosure tag in RSS2 allows you to “attach” a media file. Mainly an MP3 but you can also attach just about any media like a video file, a PDF or ebook file. “Podcasting” is mostly audio but there are some that do video via RSS.