Podcast RSS Feed Requirements
Podcast RSS Feed Requirements
Ensure your podcast meets directory requirements before submitting to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms.
Quick Checklist
Before submitting your podcast, verify you have:
- Cover art (square, 3000×3000 pixels recommended)
- Podcast title
- Podcast description
- At least one category selected
- Website URL
- At least one published episode or trailer
- Valid RSS feed with no errors
Cover Art Requirements
Your podcast cover art is often the first thing potential listeners see. All major directories require it.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Square, between 1400×1400 and 3000×3000 pixels |
| Recommended | 3000×3000 pixels (highest quality) |
| File format | JPG or PNG |
| Color space | RGB (not CMYK) |
| File size | 1MB or less (or as close to 1MB as you can get) |
Tips:
- Use high-contrast images that are readable at small sizes (think phone screens)
- Avoid small text that becomes illegible when scaled down
- Test your artwork at 150×150 pixels to see how it'll look in podcast apps
Required Podcast Information
Title
Your podcast name. Keep it concise and searchable. Avoid keyword stuffing—directories may reject feeds with excessive keywords in titles.
Description
A summary of your podcast (up to 4000 characters for Apple Podcasts). Describe what listeners will learn or experience. Plain text only—HTML is stripped by most directories.
Categories
Select the categories that best describe your content. You can typically choose:
- One primary category
- One or two subcategories
Categories help listeners discover your show through browsing and recommendations.
Website
A URL for your podcast. This can be:
- Your Castos podcast website (
yourshow.castos.com) - Your WordPress site
- Any website you control
Episode Requirements
You need at least one published episode (or a trailer) before submitting to directories.
Episode requirements:
- Audio file in a supported format (MP3 recommended)
- Episode title
- Episode description (optional but recommended)
Supported audio formats: MP3, M4A
Video podcasts: Only some directories support video. See Video Podcast Distribution for details.
Validating Your Feed
Before submitting to directories, check your feed for errors:
- Go to CastFeedValidator.com
- Enter your RSS feed URL
- Click Validate
- Fix any errors or warnings that appear
Common validation errors:
- Missing cover art or incorrect dimensions
- Missing website link
- Missing required fields (author, categories)
- If using an SSP RSS feed: site security blocking your RSS feed from being being crawled
Directory-Specific Requirements
While the requirements above apply to most directories, some have additional rules:
Apple Podcasts
- Strict enforcement of content policies
Spotify
- Does not accept video episodes from third-party hosts
- Content must comply with Spotify's content policies (ie: no music in episodes outside of a very short intro/outro)
What Happens If Requirements Aren't Met
| Issue | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Missing cover art | Feed rejected by most directories |
| Wrong cover art size | Feed rejected by most directories |
| No episodes | Feed will be rejected |
| Invalid RSS feed | Submission fails with an error |
| Policy violations | Show may be removed after publishing |
| Missing podcast website | Feed rejected by most directories or show removed |
Where to Configure These Settings
In Castos Dashboard
Find the podcast you'd like to configure and click Settings.
In WordPress (SSP)
Go to Podcasting → Settings → Feed Details → Select Podcast