Submitting your podcast to Spotify opens the door to a massive global audience and a reliable way to grow listener numbers. This practical workflow helps independent creators and established studios distribute episodes consistently and professionally.
By following clear steps and platform requirements, you can avoid common delays and ensure your show appears in Spotify search and recommendation feeds.
Submission Workflow Overview
Use the structured summary below to track key details, responsibilities, and timing across the submission process.
| Stage | Key Action | Owner | Target Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Confirm artwork, metadata, and audio specs | Creator / Producer | Day 1 |
| Upload | Submit RSS feed or use Spotify for Podcasters | Publisher or Admin | Day 2–3 |
| Review | Spotify checks content, rights, and compliance | Spotify Platform | Day 4–7 |
| Go Live | Episodes appear in search and browse | Platform | Day 8–14 |
Prepare Your Podcast for Spotify Submission
Before you submit, verify technical and legal readiness to reduce rework and speed up approval.
Artwork and Branding Requirements
Spotify enforces clear size, format, and safety rules for show and episode artwork. Prepare multiple resolutions and keep text inside safe zones so logos and titles remain visible on all devices.
Metadata and Episode Details
Organize title, description, language, and category tags so algorithms can match your show to the right listeners. Consistent naming across episodes also improves search relevance and browsing clarity.
Submit Through RSS or Spotify for Podcasters
Most creators distribute through an RSS provider that is already integrated with Spotify, which automates submission when requirements are met.
Using an RSS Partner
Check that your hosting platform has a verified partnership with Spotify and supports required authentication. Once connected, new episodes often appear in Spotify within the usual review window without manual re-submission.
Direct Submission via Spotify for Podcasters
If you do not use a compatible RSS feed, log in to Spotify for Podcasters, verify your account, and upload an episode file directly. This path is helpful for testing or for shows not yet on a host that Spotify recognizes.
Spotify Review and Indexing Process
After you submit a podcast, Spotify runs automated checks and, when needed, a light human review to confirm policy compliance.
Automated Checks
The system scans artwork, metadata, and episode files for policy violations, broken links, and format issues. Resolving these before upload prevents rejection and saves review time.
Manual Review and Approval
Spotify may manually review certain categories or episodes to verify content suitability. If issues appear, you receive guidance on how to edit or replace files to meet standards.
Optimize Your Presence on Spotify
Launching on Spotify is a step in a longer strategy to build audience trust, encourage saves and shares, and refine your show over time.
- Verify artist and show pages to improve credibility in search results
- Use consistent titles and episode numbers across seasons
- Monitor analytics to identify which topics drive the most plays and retention
- Encourage reviews and completion signals to boost recommendation potential
- Update older episodes with accurate links and refreshed descriptions
FAQ
Reader questions
How long does Spotify usually take to approve a submitted podcast?
Most episodes are reviewed within a few days, but complex cases or shows in regulated categories can take up to two weeks.
What happens if my artwork does not meet Spotify specifications?
Spotify will notify you of the exact issue, and you can update and resubmit once the file matches size, ratio, and content rules.
Can I submit a podcast only available on Spotify and not on other platforms?
Yes, you can limit distribution to Spotify during submission by adjusting the platforms section in your RSS settings or Spotify for Podcasters dashboard.
Why is my new episode not appearing in search after approval?
Spotify indexing can take additional time; ensure categories, tags, and episode details are accurate to help the algorithm surface your show in relevant searches.