Here’s a quick guide on submitting your Libsyn feed to iTunes and Stitcher.
1. Setup Your Show on Libsyn
In order to generate a valid feed, you first need to setup your show on Libsyn.
On the Libsyn website, go to ‘Settings > Edit Show Settings’, and enter all the relevant information about your podcast. Also, update your 1400 x 1400 pixel of your show artwork.
Then go to ‘Destinations > Edit or View Existing’, and click the ‘Edit’ button next to the ‘Classic Libsyn Feed’. Select your iTunes categories and also update the recommended information.
After you’ve saved this information, Libsyn will display the feed’s web address. Copy this address as we’ll need this for the next step.
2. Validate Your Libsyn Feed
The next step is to validate the feed. Go to the W3C Feed Validation Service and paste the feed web address that you just copied. Click the ‘Check’ button to validate your feed.
3. Submit Your Feed to iTunes
Next we’re going to check that your feed shows up correctly in iTunes. The easiest way to do this is to open iTunes and select ‘File’ > ‘Subscribe to Podcast’.
In the next screen, paste your feed web address and click ‘OK’. If the feed is working correctly, then you should see iTunes downloading all the episodes from Libsyn.
Assuming the feed is working correctly, we can now submit the feed to the iTunes store.
- In iTunes, click the link for the iTunes Store.
- Click on the Podcasts navigation link.
- Click the ‘Submit a Podcast’ link.
- Paste your feed address and click the ‘Continue’ button.
- Review the podcast information shown (from the feed) and click ‘Submit’.
You may have to wait up to a week for iTunes to approve your podcast.
4. Submit Your Feed to Stitcher
Now we can also submit the feed to Stitcher.
- Go to the Stitcher site and register for a content provider account.
- Log into your Stitcher account and click the ‘Add Shows’ link.
- Enter information about your podcast including the feed address.
- Agree to the terms & conditions and click the ‘Continue’ button.
- Confirm your submission.
And you’re done! Once your feed is approved, any new episode that you publish on Libsyn will also be automatically published to iTunes and Stitcher.
Great walkthrough! I have done all of these steps once before, and wish I had this article. Very clear and concise!
You’re welcome Frost! Thanks for the feedback!
Thank you! How do I edit my show once it’s already in iTunes? I need to change the category…
Hi Kristy – you can change your category in Libsyn.
1. Go to Destinations > Edit or View Existing
2. Click Libsyn Classic Feed in the left column/navigation
3. Choose your new categories (you can select up to 3)
I hope that helps.
Hey – great tutorial! Quick question: On Stitcher there is a blurb on the left titled “About This Show:” How do you ensure there is a show description there? Ours is blank but other shows have nice descriptions… Thanks!
Hey John — I believe that Stitcher gets this information from your RSS feed. Many services like Libsyn and Soundcloud allow you to add that description to your RSS feed. How are you generating your feed?
do you have to upload episodes before submitting your feed?
can you upload episodes before submitting feed?
thanks in advance!
Hi Regina – you need to upload at least one episode to Libsyn before submitting your feed to iTunes. Otherwise, iTunes will reject your feed.
Quick question, is making a Libsyn account absolutely necessary in order to be successful podcasting?
Hi Frank – you need somewhere to host your podcast audio files. Libsyn is a great podcast hosting service, but it’s not the only one. You can also use services like SoundCloud. It’s just a question of finding the one that’s right for you.
Hi Omer,
Is this still a viable way to submit a podcast to iTunes? I can’t find a way around creating an Apple Developer account.
Thanks!
Morganne – you should be able to login using your regular Apple ID. Can you explain where you’re getting prompted to create an Apple Developer account?
Do you have any video of that? I’d care to find out some additional information.
Hi Omer,
I recently got a new logo for my website and podcast. I uploaded it under the “artwork” in “edit show settings” under “settings”. But on iTunes it is still my old logo? Any suggestions? Thanks!
Pete – check your RSS file contains a link to the new image. If it does, then you might just have to wait a bit longer for iTunes to update.
Omer,
I am having issues with my rss feed validating with the link you provided. I am unable to continue the steps ahead without this being validating even with attempting to register with stitcher. Do you have any recommendations that could help
What’s the error you get when you try to validate the feed?
Dude, I love you. I was having trouble with the “Category” part and this TOTALLY fixed that.
My pleasure Mike. 🙂
Thank you! I could not find this info on the Stitcher site. Very helpful.
You’re welcome Kerri!
Hi,
Question: Do you really need an Itunes and Stitcher account so that you can publish there when using a Libsyn hosting?
Yes