Podcast Directories FAQs | Captivate.fm Help & Support

Now that your podcast has been published on Captivate, and you've submitted your show to the various podcast directories, what next?

Questions about podcast directories and how we can help? We've got your covered!

What is a podcast directory?

These are the main source directories within the podcasting space and they typically require manual submission (although with Captivate, we make it super easy with our one-click submission process!).

Think Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Podcasts, Amazon Music, etc. Your podcast needs to be on a directory to be listened to on these apps.

Do I need to submit to a directory?

Not at all - you can host your podcast with Captivate, and just send listeners to your Captivate Site or your own website where your Captivate podcast player is.

BUT... this would mean you're limiting the chances of your podcast being found by the millions of people who use podcast apps to listen to their favourite shows. 🧐

So do you submit my show to these directories?

Yes, our one-click submission process will get your podcast listed for you nice and easy! Though you'll need to manually complete some (like Apple Podcasts) - you can get more details on our Distribution article.

How long does it take to get approved?

For new shows, it can take between 2-5 days for the various podcast apps to approve the show. Once approved, any subsequent episodes are usually live on the apps within 24 hours.

Once approved, how can I find my show on the various directories?

You should receive an email from the key directories once your show has been approved, and this email will include the link to your show on that platform. You can also check industry publication Podnews, using their search feature. Simply type your show name in the search bar, and it will show you everywhere your show is listed.

Why do my show notes look weird in some directories?

Different directories handles show notes in their own way. This is particularly true when using hyperlinks or HTML. Apple Podcasts, for example, will format your show notes twice, one with fully formatted descriptions, and one with raw text. This is why we offer an optional summary box on your episode editing page, to help avoid that problem.

Which directories should I submit to?

While you can choose to only submit to the main directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc, there's no reason why you shouldn't submit to them all. The more directories, the more chance to be found. You can use our one-click submission feature in our Distribution dashboard, while this is a great list for more directories.