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WordPress can be the public home for a podcast, but podcast apps do not read your web pages directly. They read an RSS feed that contains your show details and each episode’s media enclosure. Set up the site, create a dedicated podcast category, publish a media-bearing episode, copy the feed address from WordPress, and submit that feed to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other directories.

Choose WordPress.com if you want a managed workflow through Jetpack Podcast. Choose self-hosted WordPress if you need control over plugins, hosting and feed configuration. In either case, keep the feed public, use stable episode URLs and GUIDs, and upload audio in a format the directories accept.

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Choose between WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress

The two WordPress models can produce the same result—a website and an RSS feed—but they place different responsibilities on you.

Decision area WordPress.com with Jetpack Podcast Self-hosted WordPress
Audio hosting On the Free plan, the feed can point to audio hosted elsewhere. Premium and higher plans add WordPress.com audio hosting; the Premium example documented for 2026 includes 13 GB of audio storage. You select the audio host, storage and delivery arrangement. A podcast plugin can create the feed, while audio may live on the same server or with an external podcast host.
Setup and maintenance A guided setup, a dedicated podcast category and a distribution screen reduce configuration work. You install and configure a podcast plugin such as Simple Podcasting, maintain WordPress and plugins, and verify feed settings yourself.
Distribution Jetpack Podcast exposes the RSS address in Jetpack → Podcast → Distribution. You still submit that address to directories. The plugin supplies an RSS address that you copy manually to Apple Podcasts Connect, Spotify for Creators and other services.
Analytics and dashboard Premium and higher plans provide listener statistics and an episode dashboard. Plays inside Spotify are counted by Spotify and do not appear in WordPress.com podcast statistics. Analytics depend on your podcast host, plugin and measurement setup; capabilities and costs vary by provider.
Best fit A publisher who wants managed hosting and fewer technical decisions. A publisher who needs custom themes, plugins, server choices or complete control of the feed.

Plan names, storage allowances and included features can change, so check the current WordPress.com plan description before purchasing. The important architectural distinction does not change: your website is the presentation layer, while the RSS feed is the distribution layer.

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Plan the audio, feed and site before publishing

Decide where the audio files will live

WordPress.com Free can publish a podcast feed while the MP3 files remain on an external host. Premium and higher WordPress.com plans add integrated audio hosting and related dashboard features. On self-hosted WordPress, you can place files on your web host or use a dedicated podcast host. Decide this before publishing so that episode enclosure URLs do not need to change later.

Audio delivery is separate from page delivery. A page can load correctly while an audio file is blocked, moved or returning the wrong MIME type. Whichever host you use must provide a public, directly retrievable media URL for every episode.

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Create a dedicated podcast category

Use one category exclusively for podcast episodes. On WordPress.com, posts in the selected category become episodes and that category controls the podcast feed. A normal blog post outside the category will not enter the feed, and a podcast episode without the category will be omitted.

Do not casually change the category after submitting the feed. WordPress.com warns that changing the podcast category changes the feed URL, which means every directory submission must be updated and resubmitted.

Gather the show metadata

Prepare these values before opening the setup screen:

  • Show title, written consistently on the site and in directories.
  • A short summary that explains the subject and intended audience.
  • Host or talent name.
  • An owner email address you can access; directories may use it for verification.
  • Copyright wording.
  • The closest Apple Podcasts category and subcategory.
  • An explicit-content disclosure that accurately reflects the show.
  • Square cover artwork in the required dimensions and color space.

Use the same spelling and capitalization in your website title, feed metadata and directory listings. Metadata edits are normally delivered through the feed, but directory updates are asynchronous and may take hours or days to appear.

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Prepare compatible artwork and audio

WordPress.com documents square JPG or PNG artwork from 1400 × 1400 through 3000 × 3000 pixels. Use standard RGB color rather than CMYK; Apple and Spotify can reject artwork in CMYK. Keep the original, uncompressed artwork so you can correct a rejected file without resizing an already degraded image.

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For audio, WordPress.com states: “For best compatibility across all platforms, use the .mp3 format for your audio files.” M4A is not accepted by Spotify, and OGG and WAV are not accepted by Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Converting to MP3 before upload avoids a directory-specific format failure.

Set up a podcast on WordPress.com

WordPress.com’s Jetpack Podcast workflow is the shortest route when you want the platform to create the feed and manage podcast-specific settings.

  1. Create or open your WordPress.com site. Select the site that will publish the show and confirm that its public address is available to listeners. A feed cannot be submitted while the site or feed is private.
  2. Open the podcast setup. Use the Jetpack Podcast setup in the WordPress.com dashboard. Follow the guided prompts to enable podcast publishing.
  3. Select the podcast category. Create a new category named for the show or select an existing category used only for episodes. Record the choice; changing it later changes the feed address.
  4. Enter show metadata. Supply the title, summary, host or talent, owner email, copyright, Apple category and explicit-content setting. Check every field for spelling before saving.
  5. Upload square artwork. Use a JPG or PNG between 1400 × 1400 and 3000 × 3000 pixels in RGB color. Replace any CMYK export before continuing.
  6. Create the first episode post. Add a title, show notes and the episode media. Use a Podcast Episode, Audio or Video block as appropriate. Upload an MP3 for the broadest compatibility. Assign the post to the podcast category.
  7. Publish the post. The item must be published, contain media and belong to the selected category. A draft, scheduled post, media-free post or post in another category will not appear in the podcast feed.
  8. Find the feed address. Open Jetpack → Podcast → Distribution and copy the RSS URL exactly. Store it in your production notes; this is the address you submit to directories, not the URL of an individual episode page.
  9. Validate before submitting. Open the feed in a browser or feed validator and inspect the first item. Confirm that the title, enclosure URL, media type, duration or length data where supplied, publication date and GUID are present and that the audio URL can be fetched without logging in.

Set up a podcast on self-hosted WordPress

Self-hosting gives you more control, but the feed is your responsibility. The labels differ among plugins; the sequence below uses Simple Podcasting as an example of a podcast plugin rather than a requirement to use one particular product.

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  1. Install and activate a maintained podcast plugin. In the WordPress dashboard, open Plugins → Add New, search for the plugin, install it, activate it and read its current setup screen. Keep WordPress, the theme and the plugin updated.
  2. Create the podcast category. In Posts → Categories, create a category used only for episodes. Select that category in the plugin’s feed settings if the plugin offers a category selector.
  3. Configure feed identity. Enter the show title, summary, author or host, owner email, copyright, category and explicit-content setting. Set the artwork URL and verify that the plugin produces a public RSS 2.0 feed.
  4. Choose audio storage. Upload files to the configured media location or your external podcast host. Confirm that each file has a permanent HTTPS URL and that the server returns an audio content type rather than an HTML error page.
  5. Publish an episode post. Add the episode title and notes, attach the MP3 with the plugin’s episode field or an Audio block, assign the podcast category and publish. Do not reuse a previous enclosure URL for a different recording.
  6. Copy and test the feed URL. Use the plugin’s displayed feed address. Check it while logged out or in a private browser window, then inspect the XML for one item with a unique enclosure URL and GUID.

Some self-hosted plugins provide a player and shortcodes; others rely on the standard WordPress Audio block. The player is optional for distribution, but the feed item must contain a valid enclosure that podcast apps can retrieve.

Publish the first episode correctly

Your first episode is the point at which the feed becomes useful to directories. Before pressing Publish, verify all of the following:

  • The post status is Published, not Draft, Private or Scheduled.
  • The post is assigned to the selected podcast category.
  • An actual audio file is attached through a Podcast Episode or Audio block, or through the active plugin’s episode field.
  • The file is an MP3 if you want the broadest cross-platform compatibility.
  • The episode title and description make sense when read without the surrounding web page.
  • The enclosure URL is public, stable and different from every other episode’s URL.
  • The episode has a publication date and a stable identifier.

Apple’s documentation suggests a one- to two-minute trailer episode for a new show. A trailer is optional, but it can give a directory listing an immediate playable item while you prepare the first full episode.

Understand what the RSS feed carries

An RSS feed is an XML document that describes the show and lists episodes. The website page may contain a polished player, transcripts and images, but directories primarily need the feed’s channel metadata and item metadata.

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Channel-level information

The channel identifies the show with its title, summary, owner email, author or host, category, explicit-content status and artwork. Keep these values stable and accurate. If you change the show’s identity, make the change in WordPress rather than editing a directory listing that will later be overwritten by the feed.

Episode-level information

Each item should include a title, publication date, description or show notes, a media enclosure and a globally unique identifier (GUID). The enclosure records the audio URL and related information such as media type and length. Keep the enclosure URL and GUID stable after publication. If either changes, an app may treat the recording as a new episode, causing duplicate listings or lost playback position.

Why a web page is not enough

Submitting an episode page URL to Apple or Spotify does not submit the podcast. Submit the RSS feed URL. The directories periodically fetch that feed, discover new items and update their listings. This is why a newly published episode can appear on the website immediately while a directory still shows the previous list.

Submit the WordPress feed to Apple Podcasts

Apple requires a public RSS 2.0 feed, valid square artwork, at least one episode, unique enclosure URLs and a stable globally unique GUID for each episode. You also need an Apple Podcasts Connect account; Apple states, “To submit a podcast you must have an Apple Podcasts Connect account.”

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  1. Open Apple Podcasts Connect and sign in. Use the account that will own and manage the show.
  2. Choose the option to add a show by RSS feed. Paste the exact feed address copied from Jetpack → Podcast → Distribution or from your self-hosted plugin.
  3. Review the preview. Check the title, author, category, explicit label, artwork and first episode. If a field is wrong, correct WordPress metadata and wait for the feed to refresh rather than entering conflicting values in Apple.
  4. Resolve validation errors. Typical causes are a private feed, missing episode media, inaccessible enclosure URLs, artwork outside the documented square range, CMYK color, duplicate enclosure URLs or unstable identifiers.
  5. Submit and monitor status. After acceptance, retain the feed address and do not change the podcast category or rewrite old episode URLs without a migration plan.

Apple’s artwork range is the same practical range documented for WordPress.com: 1400 × 1400 to 3000 × 3000 pixels. Use a standard RGB JPG or PNG and inspect the file’s color profile before uploading.

Submit to Spotify and other directories

Spotify for Creators

  1. Open Spotify for Creators and sign in. Select the option to add an existing podcast by RSS feed.
  2. Paste the WordPress feed address. Use the feed, not the website homepage or an episode permalink.
  3. Complete ownership verification. Follow the email or account verification step presented for your show.
  4. Review the imported metadata and artwork. Correct the source feed if anything is wrong so future updates remain consistent.

Spotify does not accept M4A, and it also does not accept OGG or WAV. Use MP3 for episodes you intend to distribute there. Spotify’s listening data is measured inside Spotify and is not included in WordPress.com podcast statistics.

Other podcast directories

For any additional directory, provide the same public RSS address and follow that service’s current verification process. Do not create a separate feed for each directory. One canonical feed keeps episode updates, artwork and metadata synchronized.

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Test the feed before and after submission

Run this checklist whenever you launch the show and whenever you make a structural change:

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  • Public access: Open the feed and an enclosure URL while logged out. Neither should require a WordPress session.
  • RSS validity: Confirm the document is RSS 2.0 XML with one channel and correctly formed item elements.
  • Episode presence: Check that the published post is in the podcast category and appears in the feed.
  • Audio retrieval: Download or play the enclosure URL directly. An HTML login page, redirect loop or permission error indicates a hosting problem.
  • Artwork: Confirm square dimensions, JPG or PNG format and RGB color.
  • Identifiers: Compare GUIDs and enclosure URLs across episodes; no two episodes should share either value.
  • Metadata: Read the title, summary, author, category and explicit label as they appear in the feed, not only in the WordPress editor.
  • Update timing: After publishing or editing, allow hours to days for directory apps to fetch and display the change.

Hosting, storage and analytics trade-offs

Podcast audio can be large and is requested repeatedly by apps, so separate the question of where the site runs from where audio is delivered.

Arrangement What you gain What to verify
WordPress.com Free plus external audio host A WordPress.com site and feed without using the site’s audio storage. The external host must keep enclosure URLs public and permanent; analytics come from the host and directories rather than WordPress.com audio hosting.
WordPress.com Premium or higher WordPress.com audio hosting, listener statistics and an episode dashboard; the 2026 Premium example lists 13 GB of audio storage. Check the current plan’s storage, traffic and regional availability before relying on it for a growing archive.
Self-hosted WordPress with audio on the same server One administration system and complete control over files and feed configuration. Confirm that storage, transfer capacity, backups and direct media delivery are adequate for your audience.
Self-hosted WordPress plus an external podcast host WordPress handles pages and publishing while the specialist host handles audio delivery and host-specific analytics. Keep the enclosure URL stable and understand which service owns download, play and subscriber metrics.

No single dashboard contains every listener action. A Spotify listen is recorded by Spotify, while WordPress.com statistics cover the activity measured by WordPress.com. Compare numbers only after checking each service’s definition of a play, download or listener.

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Maintain the show without breaking subscribers

Use a repeatable publishing routine

  1. Upload or link the finished MP3.
  2. Create the episode post and add accurate show notes.
  3. Assign the dedicated podcast category.
  4. Check the media URL, title, date and explicit label.
  5. Publish and inspect the feed item.
  6. Open the public episode page and play the file while logged out.

Keep identifiers and URLs permanent

Do not replace an old episode’s GUID with a new one when editing its title or notes. Do not point an existing enclosure to a different recording unless you understand how directory clients will interpret the change. If an audio host migration is unavoidable, use the host’s documented redirect and migration process while preserving the feed identity.

Change metadata deliberately

Editing a summary, artwork or category changes what directories eventually display. A category change is especially disruptive on WordPress.com because it changes the feed URL and requires resubmission. Make such changes during a planned maintenance window and retain the previous feed information until directories have updated.

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Back up the parts that matter

Keep copies of original audio, artwork, show notes and a record of the canonical feed address. A site backup that omits externally hosted audio is not a complete podcast archive.

Troubleshoot common failures

The feed does not appear in Jetpack or the plugin

Confirm that the podcast feature is enabled, a dedicated category is selected and at least one episode is published with media. A draft, private post, media-free post or post in another category cannot create a usable episode item. On WordPress.com, use Jetpack → Podcast → Distribution after the first qualifying episode is live.

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An episode is missing from the feed

Open the post editor and check its status, category and media block. Then view the public feed and allow time for caching. If the post is published but its enclosure URL requires authentication or returns an error, fix the media host and republish the feed item without changing its GUID unnecessarily.

Apple or Spotify rejects the artwork

Export a square JPG or PNG between 1400 × 1400 and 3000 × 3000 pixels in RGB. Remove CMYK color profiles and replace unusually large or malformed files. Re-upload the corrected artwork in WordPress, verify it in the feed and resubmit or refresh the directory listing.

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Spotify rejects the audio

Convert the episode to MP3. M4A is not accepted by Spotify, and OGG and WAV are not accepted by Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Replace the enclosure with the converted file while preserving the episode’s identity according to your plugin or host’s migration guidance.

The directory shows an old title or episode list

Directory updates are asynchronous; WordPress.com says apps may take hours to days to reflect feed changes. First confirm that the feed itself contains the new value. If it does, wait for the directory to fetch it. If it does not, correct the WordPress metadata or publication status.

Statistics do not match between services

Different services count different events. In particular, Spotify listens are counted inside Spotify and do not appear in WordPress.com podcast statistics. Use each platform’s own reporting for that platform rather than treating one dashboard as a universal total.

Make the website useful beyond the feed

The RSS feed makes distribution possible, while the WordPress site gives listeners a durable place to discover and understand each episode. Give every episode a readable title, a concise summary, key links and any transcript or accessibility material you can maintain. Keep the audio player visible, but do not hide the episode description inside an image or an embedded third-party widget.

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Use a clear navigation path to the podcast category and keep the category archive public. A visitor should be able to move from the home page to the latest episode, browse older episodes and find the subscription feed without knowing how RSS works.

When you add a trailer, label it clearly so listeners know it is an introduction rather than a regular installment. When you publish a new episode, update the WordPress post first and let the same canonical feed distribute it everywhere.

A practical launch checklist

  • WordPress.com or self-hosted WordPress has been selected for a stated reason.
  • Audio hosting is decided, and enclosure URLs will remain public and stable.
  • A dedicated podcast category exists and will not be changed casually.
  • Show title, summary, host, owner email, copyright, Apple category and explicit setting are complete.
  • Artwork is a square RGB JPG or PNG from 1400 × 1400 to 3000 × 3000 pixels.
  • The first published episode contains an MP3 and belongs to the podcast category.
  • The RSS feed is public, valid and visible in Jetpack → Podcast → Distribution or the self-hosted plugin.
  • Every episode has a unique enclosure URL and stable GUID.
  • The feed has been submitted to Apple Podcasts Connect and Spotify for Creators using their RSS-feed workflows.
  • You have allowed hours to days for directory updates and know which service supplies each statistic.

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