Why Apple Podcasts matters
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 Apple’s standard requirements:
A correctly formatted RSS feed (Acast does this automatically).
Cover art in .jpg or .png format, square, between 1400x1400 and 3000x3000 pixels.
At least one published episode - many creators publish a short trailer first.
Acast automatically handles most of these technical details for you.
Submit your show from Acast
To submit your podcast, go directly to your Acast CMS, select the show you want to publish, and open the Distribution tab. From there:
Submit a new show: Choose this option if your podcast is not yet on Apple Podcasts. Acast will automatically send your show to Apple and handle the setup for you.
My show is already on Apple Podcasts: Choose this option if your show already exists on Apple Podcasts. You’ll simply add your Apple Podcasts Show ID so Acast can connect to it.
Claim your show on Apple Podcasts Connect
Claiming your show gives you access to Apple’s analytics and management tools.
To claim your show:
Log in to Apple Podcasts Connect.
Search for your show and select Claim Existing Show.
Copy the claim token that Apple generates.
In Acast, go to your show’s Distribution tab and add the token to include it in your RSS feed.
Apple will verify the claim within 24 hours and transfer ownership of the show to your Apple account.
Deactivate or reactivate your show
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until my show appears on Apple Podcasts?
How long until my show appears on Apple Podcasts?
Usually within one hour after submission. If it still doesn’t appear or shows an error, reach out to Apple Support.
Can I still manage my show in Apple Podcasts Connect?
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?
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.