How do I start a podcast on Spotify?

You need to create your podcast with a hosting platform like Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor). After signing up, upload your audio, add a title and description, and publish directly to Spotify.

Do I need special equipment to make a podcast on Spotify?

No, you can start with just your smartphone or computer. However, for better audio quality, many creators use USB or XLR microphones like the NearStream AM25X along with headphones for monitoring.

Is it free to upload a podcast to Spotify?

Yes! Spotify for Podcasters is completely free to use. You can record, edit, and distribute your podcast episodes without paying hosting fees.

Can I make money from my podcast on Spotify?

Yes, Spotify offers monetization options such as ads, listener support, and subscriptions. Once your podcast grows, you can apply for Spotify’s ad program or use third-party sponsorships.

How to Make a Podcast on Spotify (2025 Guide)

You have an idea—a story to tell, a skill to teach, or a conversation the world needs to hear. You know a podcast is the perfect medium, but the technical hurdles feel overwhelming. "Where do I even start?" "What gear do I need?" "How do I sound professional?"

You're not alone, and you've picked the perfect time to start. The podcasting world is booming, with a projected global audience of 584.1 million in 2025. At the heart of this is Spotify, the platform of choice for 37% of listeners worldwide. Getting your voice on Spotify isn't just a goal; it's the single biggest step to finding your audience.

This guide is your roadmap to turn confusion into a clear plan. For creators looking to streamline the process, innovative platforms like Nearstream make professional-grade podcasting more accessible than ever.

Part 1: The Blueprint for a Binge-Worthy Show (Before You Hit Record)

Before you even think about microphones or editing software, you need a solid plan. A great podcast isn't just a recording; it's a well-designed experience for the listener. Nailing these fundamentals is what separates the shows that thrive from those that fade away.

Finding Your Niche: The Secret to Standing Out in a Sea of 4.6 Million Podcasts

With over 4.6 million podcasts out there, the single biggest mistake you can make is creating a show "for everyone".¹ A podcast that tries to appeal to everybody will ultimately appeal to nobody. The key to getting discovered is to go niche.

Think of it this way: a narrow focus doesn't limit your audience; it activates it. When you create content for a specific group of people with a specific interest, they are far more likely to listen, subscribe, and—most importantly—share it with friends who have the same interest.

So, how do you find your niche? Ask yourself these questions:

What problem are you solving for your audience? Are you teaching them a skill, helping them relax, or keeping them informed? ²
What are you an expert in, or endlessly passionate about? Your enthusiasm (or lack thereof) is contagious. Pick a topic you can talk about for 100 episodes, not just 10.³
What unique perspective can you bring? There might be a dozen podcasts about baking, but are there any about vegan baking for athletes? Drill down. Instead of "Business," try "How to Start a Nonprofit." Instead of "Mental Health," try "Mental Health for Lawyers".⁵

This isn't just about attracting listeners; it's about signaling to the Spotify algorithm. A clearly defined niche helps Spotify categorize your show and recommend it to users who are already listening to similar content. You’re essentially telling the platform, "Hey, people who love that show will love my show," supercharging your discoverability from day one.

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Choosing Your Format: Solo, Co-Host, or Interview?

Your show's format defines its personality. There’s no right answer, only what’s right for you and your topic. Let's look at the most common formats.

The Solo Show: You are the star. This format gives you complete creative control and is the easiest to schedule. However, it requires a lot of energy and preparation to keep the content engaging and avoid sounding monotonous.⁶ It’s perfect for storytelling, educational content, or expert commentary.
The Co-Hosted Show: Two (or more) hosts create a dynamic conversation. The chemistry between hosts can be a massive draw for listeners, making them feel like they're part of a friendly chat.⁶ The main challenge is scheduling and ensuring both hosts are equally committed.
The Interview Show: You bring on a new guest each episode. This is a fantastic way to introduce fresh perspectives and tap into your guests' audiences for growth.² The trade-off is that it requires significant research, outreach, and preparation for each guest to ensure a smooth, insightful conversation.

Crafting Your Brand: Name, Description, and Cover Art That Pops

Your podcast's brand is its first impression. It’s what makes someone stop scrolling and give your show a chance.

Naming Your Show: Your name should be memorable, easy to spell, and hint at your content. Crucially, think about searchability. Before you fall in love with a name, search for it on Spotify and Google to see what else comes up. You want a name that’s unique enough to stand out.³

Writing a Killer Description: This is your elevator pitch. Don't just summarize what your show is about; sell it. Start with what the listener will get out of it. Are they going to laugh? Learn a new skill? Feel inspired? Lead with that promise.⁸

Designing Scroll-Stopping Cover Art: On a crowded mobile screen, your cover art is your single most important visual asset. It needs to grab attention and communicate your show's vibe in a split second.

Technical Specs: Spotify requires your artwork to be a 1:1 square aspect ratio, in JPEG or PNG format. The minimum size is 1400 x 1400 pixels, but it's highly recommended to use 3000 x 3000 pixels to ensure it looks sharp on all devices.⁹
Design Principles: Simplicity is key. Use bold, easy-to-read fonts (limit yourself to two at most). Choose high-contrast colors that pop. And please, avoid overused podcasting imagery like microphones unless your show is literally about podcasting.¹⁰ Before you finalize it, shrink it down to the size of a postage stamp. If it's still legible and eye-catching, you've got a winner.

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Part 2: Gearing Up for Success: Your Podcasting Starter Kit

Now that you have your blueprint, it's time to talk about the tools of the trade. And this brings us to a common trap for new creators.

The Nearstream PodPro Kits: Your All-in-One Studio

Nearstream has simplified the gearing-up process with modular, "Lego-like" kits for both audio-only and video podcasts. Whether you're a solo creator or hosting a four-person panel, there's a setup designed for you.

Here are the core components that make these kits a game-changer:

AM25X Condenser Microphone: This is the heart of your sound. It delivers clear, noise-canceled audio and offers both USB and XLR connections, giving you flexibility and stable, high-quality sound for your computer or audio mixer.
AMIX40U Audio Mixer: For shows with multiple hosts or guests, a mixer is non-negotiable. This portable 10-channel mixer gives you full control over your sound, with dual audio ports, 48V phantom power for professional mics, and even Bluetooth connectivity.
VM20 4K Camera: If you're launching a video podcast, sharp visuals are essential. This camera provides crisp 4K image quality with a 40x hybrid zoom to keep your viewers engaged. It’s multi-camera ready and features plug-and-play connectivity.
Professional Mounting: Each kit comes with the necessary stands to complete your studio, including the flexible ST20 Boom Arm for perfect mic positioning and the heavy-duty ST30 Camera Tripod for stable, professional shots.

These components are bundled into specific kits like the PodPro Solo Audio Setup for individual creators or the PodPro Quad Video Setup for a full panel show, taking all the guesswork out of building a high-quality podcasting rig.

Your Digital Studio: Choosing the Right Recording & Editing Software

Your software is where your podcast comes to life. The good news is, you can get started for free.

Audacity: This is the workhorse of the podcasting world. It's a powerful, open-source audio editor that's completely free for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It has a bit of a learning curve, but it has all the features you need to produce a professional-sounding show.¹⁶
GarageBand: If you're a Mac user, GarageBand comes pre-installed on your computer. It's incredibly intuitive and user-friendly, making it a fantastic starting point for recording and editing.¹⁸

For those planning interview-based shows, all-in-one platforms like Riverside have become game-changers. They are designed for high-quality remote recording, capturing separate audio and video tracks for each participant locally. This means a guest's spotty internet connection won't ruin your audio quality, a feature that can save you countless headaches in post-production.¹⁶

Part 3: From Raw Recording to Polished Masterpiece

With your gear and software ready, it's time to create. This is where art meets science—capturing great audio and then shaping it into a compelling story.

Recording Like a Pro: It's More About Technique Than Tech

You could have a $1,000 microphone, but if you record in a bad environment, it will sound terrible. Where you record is just as important as what you record with.

Your Recording Space: You don't need a professional studio. You need a "dead" space. That means a room with minimal echo (reverb). The best option is a small room with lots of soft surfaces: carpets, curtains, a couch, pillows, even a closet full of clothes. These materials absorb sound waves instead of letting them bounce around.²⁰ A classic pro tip for those on a budget? Drape a heavy blanket over yourself and your microphone. It looks silly, but it works wonders.²⁰

Mic Technique: This is simple but crucial.

Position your microphone about 6-8 inches from your mouth.¹⁵
Use a pop filter. This is a small screen that sits between you and the mic to soften harsh "p" and "b" sounds (called plosives) that can create a jarring pop in the audio.²²
Speak consistently. Try not to lean in and out from the microphone, as this will cause your volume to fluctuate wildly.

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The Art of the Edit: Turning Good Audio into a Great Episode

Editing is where the magic happens. It's not just about removing mistakes; it's about pacing, clarity, and creating an engaging listening experience.²³

Editing Essentials for Beginners:

Cut the Fluff: Your first pass should be to remove the obvious mistakes, long, awkward pauses, and distracting filler words like "um," "uh," and "you know." Many modern editing tools can even detect and remove these automatically, saving you hours of work.²¹
Balance the Audio: The goal is a consistent volume level throughout the episode. You don't want listeners constantly reaching for the volume knob. Use tools like normalization and compression to even out the levels between hosts, guests, and music.
Add the Polish: This is where you add your intro and outro music, transitions, and any sound effects. These elements give your show a professional, branded feel and signal to the listener that they're in good hands.²¹

Structuring Your Episode for Maximum Engagement

A well-structured episode guides the listener on a journey and keeps them hooked. Think of it like a simple three-act play.

The Intro (The Hook): This should be brief and punchy. State the name of your show, who you are, the episode number, and a compelling teaser of what's to come. You can even use a short, intriguing clip from later in the episode to grab their attention right away.²⁵
The Main Content: This is the heart of your episode. Break it down into logical segments. If it's an interview, have your key questions mapped out. If it's a solo show, follow a clear outline. This structure helps the listener follow along and stay engaged.
The Outro (The Call-to-Action): Don't just fade out! Summarize the key takeaways from the episode and give your listeners one clear thing to do. This is your Call-to-Action (CTA). It could be "Follow our show on Spotify," "Leave a comment on this episode," or "Check out our website." Pick one and make it easy for them.⁶

Part 4: The Main Event: How to Publish a Podcast on Spotify, Step-by-Step

You've planned, recorded, and edited your first episode. It’s polished and ready for the world. Now comes the moment you've been waiting for: getting it on Spotify. This part can seem intimidating, but it's actually a straightforward, one-time setup.

The Unseen Engine: Why You Need a Podcast Host

Here’s the most common point of confusion for beginners: you do not upload your audio files directly to Spotify.

Instead, you upload your MP3 files to a dedicated podcast hosting service (like Libsyn, Buzzsprout, or Transistor). This service stores your files and, most importantly, generates a special link for your show called an RSS feed.²⁷

Think of your podcast host as the warehouse for your audio files, and the RSS feed as the delivery truck. The RSS feed is a simple text file that contains all your show's information—title, description, cover art, and links to each episode's audio file. You give this RSS feed link to Spotify once, and from then on, Spotify automatically checks it for new episodes.⁹

Meeting Spotify's Standards: Your Technical Checklist

Before you submit your show, you need to make sure your files and your RSS feed meet Spotify's technical requirements. Think of this as the bouncer at the club—if you're not on the list, you're not getting in.

Here is a simple checklist to ensure you meet all the standards.

Requirement	Specification
Audio Format	MP3 (preferred), M4A, or WAV ⁹
Audio Bitrate	96 kbps to 320 kbps (128kbps+ recommended) ⁹
Cover Art Size	3000 x 3000 pixels (min. 1400x1400) ⁹
Cover Art Format	JPEG or PNG (Square, 1:1 aspect ratio) ⁹
Video Format	MOV or MP4 (16:9 aspect ratio) ³²
RSS Feed	Must contain title, description, artwork, and at least one live episode ⁹

The 5-Step Submission Process: Your Guide to Going Live

Ready? Let’s do this. The first step in your spotify podcast upload journey is getting your RSS feed link from your host. Understanding this process is key to successful podcasting on spotify.

Create a Spotify for Podcasters Account: Head over to podcasters.spotify.com and sign up. You can use your existing personal Spotify account or create a new one just for your show.⁹
Submit Your RSS Feed: Once you're logged in, click "Get Started" or "Add a new show." You'll be prompted to paste in your RSS feed URL that you copied from your podcast hosting service.⁹
Verify Ownership: This is a critical step. Spotify will send an 8-digit verification code to the email address that is publicly listed in your RSS feed. You must have access to this email. Copy the code from the email and paste it into the verification box on Spotify.⁹
Add Your Podcast Info: Next, you'll add some details about your show, like the country it's made in, the primary language, and its categories. Choose your categories carefully! This is how new listeners will discover you when browsing the app.²⁹
Review and Submit: Give everything one final look to make sure your title, description, and artwork are correct. Then, hit "Submit." Spotify will review your show, and it will typically appear on the platform within a few hours to a few days.⁹

Congratulations! Once you've done this, you'll know exactly how to upload your podcast to spotify. From now on, every time you publish a new episode on your hosting platform, it will automatically appear on Spotify.

Part 5: Beyond the Launch: Growing Your Audience on Spotify

Getting your podcast on Spotify is the starting line, not the finish line. Now the real fun begins: growing your audience.

The Content Treadmill: Why Consistency is Your Superpower

If you take only one piece of growth advice, let it be this: be consistent. Spotify's own data reveals that "always-on" shows (those that publish weekly or daily) drive three times more consumption than seasonal shows. Even taking a short two-week break can cause a significant drop-off in your audience.³⁵

Why? Because listeners build podcasts into their routines—their morning commute, their workout, their evening chores. A predictable release schedule makes your show a reliable part of their week. It also signals to the Spotify algorithm that your show is active and valuable, making it more likely to be recommended to new listeners.

Decoding Your Data: A Beginner's Guide to Spotify Analytics

Spotify for Podcasters gives you a treasure trove of data about your audience. Don't be intimidated by it. Focus on a few key metrics to start.

Listeners vs. Streams: "Listeners" tells you how many unique people started an episode. "Streams" tells you how many of those people listened for at least 60 seconds. This helps you understand your overall reach and initial engagement.³⁶
Audience Demographics: You can see the age, gender, and geographic location of your listeners. This is gold. Seeing a lot of listeners in a particular city? Give them a shout-out! Noticing your audience is younger than you thought? Adjust your pop culture references.³⁸
Audience Retention: This might be the most important chart. It shows you, second-by-second, where listeners are dropping off in your episodes. Is everyone leaving during your long intro? Shorten it. Is there a dip during a certain segment? Maybe that segment isn't as engaging as you thought. Use this data to constantly refine your content.³⁶

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Actively Promoting Your Show On and Off Spotify

Growth doesn't happen in a vacuum. You need to be your own biggest cheerleader.

On-Platform Tools: In every single episode, ask your listeners to click the "Follow" button on Spotify. This is huge. According to Spotify, followers listen to 50% more of a show's content than non-followers.³⁵ Also, use Spotify's built-in Polls and Q&A features. They're a simple way to boost engagement and make your audience feel involved.¹⁴
Off-Platform Promotion: Share your Spotify link everywhere—on your social media profiles, in your email newsletter, on your website. Create short, engaging video clips or audiograms from your episodes and share them on platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts to attract new listeners.⁴¹

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How much does it cost to put a podcast on Spotify?

A: It's completely free to submit and list your podcast on Spotify. Your main costs will be your podcast hosting service and any equipment you purchase.31

Q2: How long does it take for my podcast to appear on Spotify?

A: After you submit your RSS feed, it typically takes a few hours, but it can sometimes take up to 5 business days for Spotify to review and approve your show.9

Q3: Do I have to upload each new episode to Spotify manually?

A: No. Once your show is approved, Spotify will automatically pull new episodes from your RSS feed whenever you publish them on your hosting platform.28

Q4: Can I upload a video podcast to Spotify?

A: Yes! Spotify has robust support for video podcasts. You'll need to upload your video files (MOV or MP4) directly to Spotify for Podcasters or a compatible host that supports video.32

Q5: What's the most common mistake new podcasters make?

A: The most common mistakes are inconsistent publishing and poor audio quality. Listeners value reliability and a pleasant listening experience above all else.2