Apple Podcasts remains one of the largest and most important podcast directories, so making sure your show is correctly listed there is essential. This guide walks you through how to submit a new show, connect an existing one, and manage your Apple connection directly from Acast.
Requirements to submit a podcast to Apple
To appear on Apple Podcasts, your show must meet these standards:
Correct RSS Feed: (Acast handles this for you).
Cover Art: .jpg or .png, square, 3000 x 3000 pixels recommended (1400 x 1400 minimum).
Content: At least one published episode or trailer.
Claim your show on Apple Podcasts Connect
Claiming gives you access to Apple's analytics and management tools.
Log in to Apple Podcasts Connect.
Select Claim Existing Show and enter your show's URL.
Copy the generated Claim Token.
In Acast, go to the Distribution tab and paste the token. Note: Tokens expire after 7 days. Apple typically verifies the claim within 24 hours.- Paste the claim token into the Copyright field under Author Details (preferred) or the Keywords field under Discovery in your Acast dashboard.
Allow approximately 30 minutes for the token to propagate in your RSS feed before returning to Apple Podcasts Connect to verify.
Deactivate or reactivate your show
In the Acast Distribution tab:
Deactivate: Your show will be archived on Apple Podcasts and won’t appear to listeners.
Reactivate: You can make your show live again at any time.
If the distribution was enabled through Acast, the show can be deactivated or reactivated directly from Acast. Otherwise, it must be managed directly from Apple, where it was originally set up.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until my show appears?
Usually within 1 to 24 hours. If this is your very first show, Apple's manual review can sometimes take up to a week. If your show still isn't showing up please reach out to Apple Support.
Can I still manage my show in Apple Podcasts Connect?
Yes. Once your show is submitted or linked, you can claim it in Apple Podcasts, connect to access analytics and additional settings.
What does the spinning gear icon mean?
This means your submission is being processed. You don't need to take any action while this happens.
I don’t have the option to deactivate my show. Why?
This means the distribution was originally set up directly from Apple, so the show needs to be managed there instead.
How can I verify the claim token in my RSS feed?
Open your public RSS feed URL and use your browser’s "View Source" option to check the raw XML. Confirm that the claim token appears in the Copyright or Keywords field and matches what Apple provided.
What should I do with a draft Apple Podcasts listing?
If you have a draft Apple Podcasts listing, keep it unpublished. It will not interfere with claiming your existing published show. Avoid generating a new token unless the current one expires or Apple instructs you to do so.
How do I update the Apple Podcasts verification tag?
To update the verification tag in your Acast RSS feed:
Log in to your Acast dashboard and open your show’s Settings.
Paste the Apple-provided claim token or Show ID into the Copyright or Keywords field.
Save your changes and allow 30 minutes for the update to propagate.