Q: How to set up a 301 redirect

What is a 301 redirect and why do you need it? You can move as many podcasts as you like to Captivate.fm from any podcast host in the world, including Buzzsprout, Transistor, Libsyn, Blubrry, Podbean, Simplecast, Anchor &amp; more. Right now, podcasts work by sending information from your podcast host, such as Captivate.fm, to directories using something called an RSS feed. All of the information that you add to your show is delivered to the directories via that RSS feed in real time. The directories then read that information and show your podcast details and episodes in their apps, for example. That is then how listeners access your show on their devices. A 301 redirect is something that tells directories such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify that your feed has moved, and to "look" at a new RSS feed for your podcast instead. By adding a 301 redirect to your old RSS feed with your old host, you're telling the directories: "Hey Apple Podcasts, I know you were looking over here for my show information and my new podcast episodes, but here's a heads up that from today, you need to look at this new place instead." When moving to Captivate from another podcast host, your podcast will be set up here on Captivate using the same settings as your previous host. As part of the switch, your episodes will be migrated over to Captivate (we do all this for you!) and everything will be "as is" so that you can keep publishing as normal. **Attention! These bits are

Question 1

Captivate Feature Releases & Changelog

Accepted Answer

29 April 2025

Feature improvements

Added the option to expand the episode show notes box when creating/editing an episode

Bug fixes

Various bug fixes

Enjoy the updates and improvements!

15 April 2025

Feature improvements

Moved to new production servers for increased performance and stabilty
Updates to some workflow processes

Enjoy the updates and improvements!

28 February 2025

Bug fixes

Fixed an issue where transcripts weren't opening properly on some versions of Safari
Various bug fixes

Enjoy the updates and improvements!

20 February 2025

Hot on the heels of Valentine’s Day we’ve got a great feature update that we think you’ll love, as well as some nice feature improvements and some quick bug fixes. 😊

Feature update

Apple has just updated their submission process for getting your podcast on Apple Podcasts, and through our continuing partnership with Apple, Captivate is one of the very first podcast hosts to offer this new submission process!

Whereas before you needed to have an Apple ID and submit manually via Podcasts Connect, Apple’s podcaster dashboard, now it’s all done with one click from your Captivate dashboard - no Apple ID needed! This will see your podcast live on Apple Podcasts within an hour of submitting.

Apple Podcasts submission

Better still, you can choose a day and time for the podc

Question 2

How to Add a Private Podcast to Podcast Apps

Accepted Answer

Here's a handy guide on how to add a private podcast to podcast apps that support private feeds.

Add to Apple Podcasts (on Mac desktop and iTunes on PC)

Click File on the Apple Podcasts menu.
Click Add Show by URL.
Paste your unique URL into the box.
Click Subscribe.

Add to Apple Podcasts (on iOS)

In the icons list at the bottom of your display, click Library.
Click the 3 dots icon at the top right.
Click Follow a Show by URL.
Paste your unique URL into the box.
Click Follow.

Add to Pocket Casts

Click Discover in the bottom menu.
Paste your unique URL into the Search box at the top of the screen.
Click your podcast artwork.
Click Subscribe.

Add to Castbox

Click Discover in the bottom menu.
Paste your unique URL into the Search box at the top of the screen.
Click your podcast artwork.
Click Subscribe.

Add to Overcast

Click the "+" icon in the top menu.
Click Add URL.
Paste your unique URL into the box.
Click Done.

Add to Podcast Addict

Click the "+" icon in the top menu.
Click the Search icon in the top menu.
Paste your unique URL into the search box.
Click Search.
Check the Private feed box.
Click Add.

Recommended Reading

Private Podcasts FAQs

Question 3

How to set up a 301 redirect

Accepted Answer

What is a 301 redirect and why do you need it?

You can move as many podcasts as you like to Captivate.fm from any podcast host in the world, including Buzzsprout, Transistor, Libsyn, Blubrry, Podbean, Simplecast, Anchor & more.

Right now, podcasts work by sending information from your podcast host, such as Captivate.fm, to directories using something called an RSS feed.

All of the information that you add to your show is delivered to the directories via that RSS feed in real time. The directories then read that information and show your podcast details and episodes in their apps, for example. That is then how listeners access your show on their devices.

A 301 redirect is something that tells directories such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify that your feed has moved, and to "look" at a new RSS feed for your podcast instead.

By adding a 301 redirect to your old RSS feed with your old host, you're telling the directories: "Hey Apple Podcasts, I know you were looking over here for my show information and my new podcast episodes, but here's a heads up that from today, you need to look at this new place instead."

When moving to Captivate from another podcast host, your podcast will be set up here on Captivate using the same settings as your previous host. As part of the switch, your episodes will be migrated over to Captivate (we do all this for you!) and everything will be "as is" so that you can keep publishing as normal.

**Attention! These bits are

Question 4

How to Migrate and Move Your Podcast Download Analytics from Another Host to Captivate

Accepted Answer

Moving your podcast from another host to Captivate is simple, with our automated import tool. Better still, though, is you can upload the analytics from your old host for your show with Captivate’s Analytics Import Tool!

This allows you to access your full historical analytics from within the Captivate dashboard, including podcast app and listener location, letting you see your growth trends and interpret data from your entire podcasting history - not just from the date of your import to Captivate.

You can upload multiple categories from your current host:

user agent/podcast app
episode data
country
date range

This kind of data import is an industry-first when it comes to intuitiveness and flexibility, and we’re super proud to be able to bring this level of analytics breakdown to you!

Note: It’s important to remember that your imported, historical analytics remain separate from your ‘active’ Captivate analytics, which ensures that you retain a comprehensive record of your podcast’s historical performance alongside your current analytics. Your imported analytics are not IAB Certified by Captivate.

Here’s how to move your analytics.

Note: if you've already moved to Captivate and you just want to upload your old host's analytics, you can scroll down to the Upload Your Legacy Analytics section.

Download a .csv report of your show’s analytics from your current podcast host (if you’re unsure of how to do this with your current host, cont

Question 5

How to manually update your RSS feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Accepted Answer

If you've moved to Captivate from another host, we make it super easy to import your podcast, as well as update your RSS feeds automatically with a 301 redirect, to make sure your move goes smoothly, both for you and your listeners.

While in most cases, a 301 redirect will automatically update your old RSS feed to your new Captivate feed, there are occasions where you may need to update this yourself, at least on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Thankfully, it's super easy, as this guide shows!

Note: Before you start, make sure to copy your Captivate RSS feed URL so you're ready to update it on each platform. In the top menu of your Captivate account you'll see the Copy Feed URL link. Click that and your Captivate RSS feed will be automatically copied to your clipboard.

Updating your RSS feed URL on Apple Podcasts

If you need to update your RSS feed on Apple Podcasts, fol

Question 6

Troubleshooting FAQs

Accepted Answer

At Captivate, our goal is to make the whole podcasting experience as fun and as smooth as possible. But we know sometimes things can go a little awry, which is where our awesome support team comes in.

Questions about troubleshooting your account when you have an issue? We've got you covered!

I need help - what do I do?

If there's something you need help with on your Captivate account, our support team is available through the chat feature at the bottom right of your Captivate dashboard.

Is it a live chat? Do I get to speak to a real person?

While you may receive an automated response while we look to identify your issue, our support team are all real people. 😁 We also cover different timezones so you're not waiting on an email reply - you can see our support hours [here](https://help.captivate.fm/en/articles/3615732-captiv

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