7 Best Podcast Hosting Sites & Platforms 2023 (Updated List)

Choosing the right podcast hosting platform is very important when starting a podcast. From broadcasting your podcasts to iTunes and Spotify, to storing your files and marketing your shows, the best podcast hosting sites can help you grow your audience. In this guide, we’ve ranked and reviewed the 7 best podcast hosting platforms along with our top 3 choices, so you can choose the best one for you.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links and when you buy through them, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Our affiliate disclosure can be found in our privacy policy.

In a hurry? Our top 3 choices are Transistor FM, Castos and Buzzsprout.

Are you thinking about starting the next   successful podcast and sharing your audio content with the world? 

Podcasting isn’t as easy as just recording some audio and uploading it to iTunes or any other streaming platform.

With over 2 million podcasts in the world right now, you need to have a logical plan of action. 

First, you have to get a good host for  your audio files.

So how do you choose the best podcast hosting platform? This guide reviews the best options available based on price, reliability, technical support, monthly upload volume, compliance, storage, monetization, ease of use, marketing features, integrations with apps, and more.

What is the Best Podcast Hosting Site?

Here are our top picks for the best podcast hosting platforms:

• Transistor.
• Castos.
• BuzzSprout.
• Spreaker.
• PodBean.
• Simplecast.
• Captivate.
• RSS.com
• Podcastics.
• Fusebox.
• Podcast Websites.
• Audioboom.

1. Transistor.

Best Overall Podcast Hosting & Built-In Podcast Analytics ($19-99/month).

Transistor is a high-quality, professional podcast publishing platform that hosts some popular podcasts for example Drift, Honeybadger, and Cards Against Humanity.

They are popularly known for their top of the art built-in analytics and absolutely everything you need to grow your podcast audience.

Transistor Key Features:

• Host unlimited shows/podcasts.
• Built-in branded website for your podcast with your own domain
• Manage multiple users per account.
• Distributing your podcast to major networks like  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and many more!
• View detailed advanced analytics and reporting.
• Embed podcast player on your website
• Email newsletter integration. 

Transistor’s analytics tools and reporting are where they stand out most. Their dashboards show you trends and stats like popular podcast apps, average downloads per episode, listener trends, the number of subscribers, devices your listeners are using, countries your listeners are from and downloads over time.

It’s also important to note that if you use other hosting platforms like Libsyn or Anchor, you can easily import your existing feeds into Transistor with simple migration tools.

Transistor Pricing Plans:

Transistor Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• Support for various platforms like Apple podcasts, Spotify e.t.c means that you can easily and quickly get your show out there.
• Many long-time users love the simplicity and user-friendliness of Transistor as compared to other platforms.
• It provides great analytics to track your progress and see where your listeners are coming from.
• The interface is easy to understand and  easy to get started with.
• Since the price is determined according to the number of downloads, even beginners can use it with confidence.

Cons:

• Customer service can be a little unresponsive when it comes to assistance.

Transistor Product Updates:

• Add pages and links to your podcast website to give  listeners more information about your show.
• Create great-looking and easy-to-navigate websites with new podcast website templates.
• Display custom episode images on your podcast website so  listeners can see what each episode is about before they listen to it.

Transistor allows you to scale your podcast (and pricing) as your audience grows.

Ultimately, your plan choice will  likely come down to how many downloads you want per month, so you can start with the Starter plan and upgrade as needed.

If you take podcast analytics seriously, start your 14-day free trial of Transistor (and get two months free when paid annually).

2. Castos.

Best WordPress Podcast Hosting Service ($19/month).

Castos is a full-featured podcasting plugin for WordPress.

If you already have a WordPress site, here’s how it works:

• Visit the Castos website and start your 14-day trial.
• Install the WordPress plugin.
• Then, when you’re ready to host your new episodes, you add them to the new Podcast section inside of WordPress:

Upload an audio file, enter a description, and your podcast will be live-streamed on your website using a customizable media player.:

That’s it. When you’re ready to add your podcast to directories, you grab your URL and add it to any preferred publisher.

Castos Key Features:

• Automatic transcription – upload your audio files and transcriptions are added to your dashboard within seconds.
• Republish to YouTube.
• Podcast editing service by Castos Productions.
• A customizable podcast website.
• Podcast analytics.

Castos Pricing:

• Starter ($19/month): Unlimited storage perfect for your essentials.
• Growth ($49/month): Features above, plus YouTube reposts and custom audiograms.
• Pro ($99/month): Features above, plus advanced analytics and video file hosting.

Castos Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• The best private podcasting in the business
• One of the best WordPress integration
• Optional editing service
• You will find the process of creating a new show, or migrating an existing show, simple and easy to manage.
• Get up and running in minutes without any experience.
• Included with your Castos account is a clean, modern, attractive hosted site for your show.
• Castos is easily the industry leader when it comes to integrating with your existing WordPress site.

Cons:

• Minor user experience issues.
• Limited customization of your hosted site and podcast player.

Overall, if you’re looking for a podcast hosting service for WordPress, Castos is the best choice.

Get started with a free 14-day trial and get 2-months free on annual plans. 

3. Buzzsprout.

The Best Podcast Hosting Service for Beginners & Easy Hosting (Free – $24/month)

Buzzsprout is our #3 pick for many reasons.

They have been in business since 2009 and are trusted hosts for over 100,000 podcasters.

Buzzsprout is also one of the few companies to offer a completely free plan with unlimited team member accounts.

Buzzsprout Key Features:

Buzzsprout allows you to embed a podcast player directly on your website – and you can feature just one episode or an entire playlist of episodes:

BuzzSprout provides an easy-to-use analytics dashboard with algorithms that estimate how many listeners each episode will get within the first 90 days.

You can also see which countries your listeners are tuning from to better understand your audience.

These analytics features are extremely useful and outperform most of the other tools on this list.

The audio quality is also excellent as you can upgrade to 128k stereo enhancement for better sound.In addition, we also offer a podcast transcription service as an additional add-on.

It also makes uploading and scheduling podcasts super easy. Simply upload your audio files, change the episode title and description, and submit your podcast to all major directories.

Another advantage is that you can easily add chapter markers for your episodes. This feature helps listeners understand episode details at a glance. These aren’t required (you won’t see them in all podcast apps), but they’re a nice feature.

Buzzsprout Pricing:

The free plan allows you to upload 2 hours of content hosted for 90 days. If you’re serious about podcasting, you can scale and upgrade your plan based on the number of hours of content you need to upload per month.

• Free: upload 2 hours each month and episodes hosted for 90 days.
• $12/month: upload 3 hours each month, hosted indefinitely, unlimited storage.
• $18/month: features above, plus upload 6 hours each month.
• $24/month: features above, plus upload 12 hours each month.

Buzzsprout Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• The price is reasonable, so even beginners can feel at ease.
• Very easy to use and great for beginners.
• Great customer service with great support. 
• Statistics show how your podcast is performing and help you improve.
  

Cons:

• Better analytics data would make it easier to understand what is working (and what’s not) on your podcast.
• Basic plan expires in 90-days.
• Complex pricing structure.

Buzzsprout Product Updates:

• Settings navigation has been updated to be more intuitive when creating a podcast.
• You can now add host and co-host information when creating a new episode.
• Web notifications are now available, so you’ll never miss an update about your broadcast.
  

Ultimately, with their month-to-month pricing and an easy-to-use dashboard, Buzzsprout is our #3 choice.

4. Spreaker.

Best Content Management System and Monetization (Free – $120+).

Spreaker is a one-stop shop for podcasters. From beginners just starting out to publishers developing tons of content, Spreaker has a solution that makes every podcaster’s journey smooth and profitable.

The podcasting platform connects listeners, podcast creators, and advertisers in her one place (both web and mobile apps), making it easy for content creators of all types to monetize their entire podcast catalog.

Spreaker Key Features:

• Content Management System – Allows podcasters of all “levels” to automatically deliver new episodes to major listening platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Alexa, Deezer, etc.).
• Manage and schedule multiple podcasts with the same account.
• Strategically set monetization at the episode and show level (delivered by dynamic ad insertion).
• You can add team management features and employees.
• Statistics certified by the IAB.

Spreaker Pricing:

• Free Speech (Free): 5 hours of audio storage, up to 10 episodes.
• On-Air Talent ($5.50/month): 100 hours of storage.
• Broadcaster ($16.50/month): 500 hours of storage.
• Anchorman ($41.25/month): 1,500 hours of storage.

Their most popular plan is the Broadcaster Plan at $18/month. With that plan, you get 500 hours of audio storage, advanced stats, and their monetization features.

Spreaker Pros & Cons:

Pros:

• A great feature set makes it easy to create podcasts and share them with the world.
• All in one platform and easy to use means you don’t have to use multiple tools to get your podcast online.
• Customer service is prompt and always happy to help.
• Easily find other shows sorted by categories and topics, so you can easily discover new content.

Cons:

• Once you reach a certain number of downloads, you start paying a higher price. This may be uncomfortable for some people.
• Some glitches prevented broadcast recordings from uploading.
  
  

Spreaker Product update:

• Schedule episodes directly from your phone and never miss a thing!
• They’ve updated the podcast categories to make finding the right show even easier.
• One-click delivery means your podcast can go live anywhere in minutes.

5. Captivate.

Best for Marketing and Growing Your Audience ($19/Month).

Captivate is a brand new podcast host focused on growing your podcast audience. They were created by Rebel Base Media, which also operates a podcast website.

This new addition is the best yet, putting everything we’ve learned from years of podcasting experience into a new podcast hosting service.

Captivate Key features:

All plans include unlimited podcasts, unlimited team members, a new podcast player, and advanced analytics and marketing tools.

Some notable growing features are the automated podcast website and built-in call to action. Each plan comes with a customizable, mobile-friendly website with built-in donation support.

Then you can create your mailing list and generate new leads with your podcast player’s call to action. For example, someone listening to your podcast player can directly opt-in to your mailing list via the opt-in form.

Captivate is also constantly updating its analytics software. Work with the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) to create more insightful information to monitor show performance.

You can also easily import shows from another podcast host like Blubrry using a simple import tool. Podcast marketing tools can automatically generate links to places like Overcast and Pocket Casts, making it easier for new subscribers to find your show.

Captivate Pricing:

• Podcaster Plan ($19/month): Up to 12,000 downloads per month.
• Audio Influencer Plan ($49/month): Up to 60,000 downloads per month.
• Podcast Brand Plan ($99/month): Up to 150,000 downloads per month.

With tons of great podcasting features on every plan and easy pricing that adjusts as you grow, Captivate is poised to make waves as a new player in the industry.

If you’re looking for a growth-oriented podcast host with lots of marketing features, get a 7-day free trial of Captivate.

6. Fusebox.

The Best Toolbox of Podcasting Software (Free-$19/Month).

Fusebox is a brilliant invention by renowned smart passive income podcaster Pat Flynn. Having been podcasting for years, he was looking for the perfect podcast player for his website that his visitors would love.

Who better to create the perfect podcast product than the prolific podcaster himself?

Fusebox has a lot of great features like email capture (one of the few podcast players to offer this) and other top-notch features.

There is an SEO-friendly Live Text Transcript plugin that automatically adds podcast transcripts to your website. If players are interested in how it works, it’s pretty straightforward.

Install the Fusebox WordPress plugin and add an RSS feed. Then enter your subscription URL to get your show listed in the most important directories. Finally, customize the colors of your podcast player before adding the player to your posts and pages.

Overall, If you want to host files, broadcast them to your podcast network, and display them on your WordPress site, try Fusebox.

If you’re looking to add some great podcasting tools to your arsenal, check out Fusebox.

7. PodBean.

Best Easy Podcast Hosting Service ($29/Month + 1 Month Free).

Podbean makes setting up and monetizing your podcast as easy as possible.

We love that both beginners and pros can use this platform to find the podcast success they’re looking for.

You can even share your messages with the world using your mobile phone with just a few clicks.

We also like the fact that they offer a podcasting website on all accounts, making it easy for your audience to find your content online.

PodBean is our 7th pick. They’ve been in the podcast hosting space for over a decade and host 540,000 podcasters, making them the easiest host to use on this list.

Podbean Key Features:

• 5 hours of storage on the free plan.
• Unlimited storage for $9/month plan.
• Dynamic Ad Insertion.
• A Patreon program that accepts recurring revenue from listeners.
• Automatic upload to YouTube.
• Automatically post to social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

Podbean Pricing:

• Basic (Free and Open-Source): 5 hours of storage and 100 GB monthly.
• Unlimited Audio ($9/month): Unlimited storage and bandwidth, pro themes, advanced design, and ad marketplace.
• Unlimited Plus ($29/month): Features above, plus Patreon program and dynamic ad insertion.
• Business ($99/month): Features above, plus multiple domains, private podcasts, advanced statistics, and live chat support.

For podcasters serious about hosting professional shows, we recommend purchasing the PodBean Unlimited Plus plan for $29 per month. That’s because you get unlimited audio hosting and unlimited video storage.

Overall, PodBean is our #7 choice and the best easy podcast host with great video and YouTube features.

What is the Best Free Podcast Hosting Product?

If you’re on a tight budget, there are cheap and free options to choose from. Many free plans have limited features, but a free hosting service will give you a chance to try them out first.

You may not be able to host hours and hours of content on a podcast server, but a free trial or plan can get you familiar with how a podcast host works.

Here are our picks for the best free podcast hosting services.

1. Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout’s free podcast hosting plans offer more features than any other host on this list.

The free plan gives you 2 hours of free upload time, up to 90 days of hosted episodes, and a full podcast dashboard. It’s a great way to get your feet wet and learn the ropes.

They aren’t lying when they say it’s “the easiest way to start podcasting.” Buzzsprout lets you easily upload files, add them to key directories, and track listeners with advanced analytics.

Pricing: Free – $24/month

Website: buzzsprout.com

2. Libsyn

Libsyn is one of the most popular hosts focused on helping everyone from beginners to podcasting pros who want to monetize their work quickly. They are also one of the hosts of the original podcast started in 2004.

With over 35,000 podcasts hosted and in 2016 it has over 62 million viewers and has 4.6 billion podcast downloads, making it a major player in the field. Like any other podcast host, it offers users 50-1500 MB of storage per month, analytics reports, RSS link generation, premium his content, and apps.

Yes, their plans start at $5, so they’re not 100% free, but for the value, we had to add them to our list.

Pricing: $5 – $75 per month

Website: www.libsyn.com

Features To Look For in a Podcast Hosting Platform

When choosing a podcast hosting platform, there are several features to consider. Some of the most important ones include:

• Storage space: Ensure the podcast hosting platform provides enough storage space to host your podcast episodes. Consider the number of episodes you plan to upload and the frequency of your podcast releases.
• Bandwidth: Make sure the podcast hosting site offers enough bandwidth to support your podcast’s listenership. This is particularly important if you expect to have a large audience or if you plan to release long episodes.
• Analytics: Look for a podcast hosting platform that provides detailed analytics about your podcast’s listenership. This information can help you understand your audience and make better decisions about your podcast.
• Distribution: Check if the podcast hosting platform offers automatic distribution to major podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. This can save you time and help you reach a wider audience.
• Customization: Consider if the podcast hosting site allows you to customize your podcast’s branding and website. This can help you create a unique identity for your podcast and engage with your listeners.
• Monetization: Look for a podcast hosting platform that offers monetization options such as sponsorships, advertising, or listener support. This can help you earn money from your podcast and support its growth.
• Customer support: Ensure the podcast hosting platform provides reliable customer support to assist you with any technical issues or questions you may have.

FAQs

Best Audio Mixers for Podcast Hosting

Looking for the perfect audio mixer for your podcast? A mixer is an important part of your recording setup. Every podcaster needs one.

Is it possible to produce podcast episodes without a mixer? Yes. However, it reduces the sound quality and makes the process more difficult. A mixing console is the central hub of any production. They provide control, flexibility, and tools for producing high-quality audio.

If you record multiple voices simultaneously, you also need a good mixer. A mixer gives you control over each track, making editing faster and easier.

Which digital mixer should I buy? I’ll help you! This guide provides a list of the best audio mixers for podcast hosting. These are great options for beginners and experienced podcasters alike.

1. Allen & Heath ZED-12FX

ZED-12FX is a high-end audio mixer that offers several professional, high-quality features. With 6 mono channels, 3 stereo channels, 100mm faders, L/R main mix faders, and plenty of inputs for additional sources, this lightweight unit is the perfect tool if you don’t know how many people will be on your show. We also like that it has configurable USB stereo audio input and output. It also offers onboard effects, an excellent preamp and is rack mountable. At $500, it requires some investment, but it’s one of the best audio mixers that will grow over time.

2. Zoom Podtrak P4

The Podtrak P4 isn’t technically a mixer, but it can do pretty much everything a mixer can do. This portable field podcast recorder offers many of the features of the best audio mixers in a portable package. In addition, since it is battery-powered, it is also ideal for shooting on the go.

The Podtrack 4 accepts four XLR connectors and four headphone outputs, all with individual volume controls. It accepts input from your PC or phone (iOS compatible) so you can record calls and connect to any device. A programmable sound pad makes it easy to add sophisticated podcast music and sound effects.

3. Yamaha MG10XU

The MG10xu is a traditional multi-person mixer with a quiet noise floor (especially for such an inexpensive unit). It offers USB and XLR connectivity, onboard compression, and an AUX output so you can run a mix-minus setup. The device is moderately sized so you can easily move it around. It also comes with a high-quality preamp and built-in sound effects to create a wealth of mixing options. The only drawback, however, is that there are only four input channels. That’s good enough for most podcasts, but not enough for panel-style shows.

4. Behringer Xenyx 1002B

The Behringer Xenyx 1002B is a reliable 10-channel mixer. It doesn’t offer many features. It does not connect digitally or provide sound effects. But at this price (around $100), it’s a great deal for someone just starting out as a podcaster in his home studio on a tight budget.

5. Rødecaster Pro 2

The Rødecaster Pro 2 is one of the few mixers designed specifically for podcasting. It offers all the features, touchscreen and analogue controls of the original Rødecaster, but with a significant upgrade and a smaller footprint.

Provides 4 mic inputs, 9 individually assignable channels, 6 broadcast-quality faders, 3 virtual faders, studio-quality compressor, noise gate, high-pass filter, de-esser, and 3-band equalizer on each channel. increase. There are four high-performance headphone outputs and a balanced 1/4″ line output, each with its own level control.

We love SMART pads. These customizable tools are bank-switching (8 banks of 8 pads for 64 unique actions, plus 512MB of internal memory for storing short effects, music, or pre-recorded show segments). provide. Also available are Bluetooth connectivity, back channeling options and a mute button, and memory card recording. , dynamic and condenser mic presets, enhanced preamp and multi-track recording

We love that this unit lets you add effects and pre-recorded segments to your recordings instead of editing them later. Customize your workflow while maintaining ease of use.

6. Alesis MultiMix 4

Alesis MultiMix 4 is one of the best audio mixers for new podcasters. It offers two XLR microphone inputs (which can also accept 1/4″ jacks), a stereo pair of 1/4″ inputs, and a standard 3.5mm input for external audio sources. This USB audio interface allows you to record directly to your computer. In other words, it only records the main stereo output, so you don’t have to record separately. Nonetheless, this is a simple, inexpensive mixer that takes podcasting to the next level.

7. Soundcraft Signature 12MTK 

Next on our list of the best audio mixers for podcasts is the Soundcraft Signature 12MTK. Admittedly, this is the most expensive blender on our list, but its features make it worth the price. It has a sophisticated recording interface. You’ll also get eight 3-pin XLR inputs with Soundcraft’s Ghost mic preamps (providing ultra-low noise performance), high-quality faders, and numerous onboard sound effects options.

The purchase of this mixer also entitles you to access the Soundcraft website for exclusive training videos and support resources. These are very helpful for new podcasters.

8. Yamaha AG06

Tablets and iPads are capable of much more than recording podcast audio. You can also do a lot of post-production work. The Yamaha AG06 is the perfect audio mixer for using your tablet in your podcast recording studio. Yamaha is known for selling equipment that performs over price, so this one will definitely last.

A 6-channel mixer with plenty of connectivity options for microphones, computers, smartphones, and more. It offers two XLR/TRS inputs, stereo AUX, 1/4″ and 1/8″ headphone jacks, 1/8″ AUX, and USB connectivity. Compression and EQ are preset in one button, but you can change these values ​​in settings. I also like the loopback feature that allows live transmission of all mics, vocals, instruments and other audio sources as well as background music.

9. Behringer Xenyx 1204USB

The Xenyx 1204USB is one of the best audio mixers for beginner podcasters. Use faders for volume levels. We found this to be more accurate and easier to adjust while recording. This is a full featured mixer with 6 fader controlled channels, 4 of which are his XLR channels with phantom power. This gives you the flexibility to invite guests, producers and other hosts. Capture audio directly to your computer or record to a digital recorder.

10. Presonus StudioLive AR8C

Presonus StudioLive AR8C is more than just a mixer. An 8-channel analog mixer and high-quality audio interface. AR8C offers a crystal clear preamplifier, USB and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, digital effects and other great features. It integrates well with most digital audio workstations (DAWs). There are 4 XLR inputs and 4 1/4″ jacks, 2 XLR outputs, 2 1/4″ jacks and 2 1/4″ AUX jacks.

Please note that this is not an entry level device. Perfect for podcasters who have experience with mixers and audio interfaces and want to upgrade their existing system.

11. Mackie PROFX8V2

The Mackie PROFX8V2 is one of the best audio mixers for podcasts due to its versatility. Features 4 low noise Mackie Vita mic preamps, AUX/FX, band EQ, 48 volt phantom power on all mic channels, 100 Hz low cut filter on all channels, 4 XLR inputs, pan and compression controls . Get the version with USB connection.

One of our favorite features is the ability to switch between line level and Hi-Z on the first channel. Hi-Z stands for Hi-Impedance and allows you to connect your instruments to a mixer without going to a direct box first. This is great for podcasts with musical elements.

12. Behringer Xenyx Q502USB 

The Behringer Xenyx Q502USB is one of the best audio mixers for podcasters just starting their shows. Inexpensive device with access to basic recording and editing software (easily start post-production work and save upfront costs).

Q502USB is a small and light basic device. Only for solo podcasters as it doesn’t have many inputs. Try to use a low powered mic as it only supports 15V phantom power instead of the 48V that many mics require. Expect to invest in new mixers as the show grows.

13. Behringer Xenyx Q802USB

Q802USB is a slight upgrade of Q502USB. His first two channels feature studio-quality preamps and easy-to-use 1-knob compressors that enhance sound quality. It also features a 3-band EQ and 8 inputs, giving you more space for your guests and co-hosts.

Here is a list of the best audio mixers for podcast hosting. It’s up to you to choose the right audio equipment for your show. If you don’t know much about mixers, pick something cheap that you can tinker with for a while unless you plan to hook it up to an audio interface. But make sure you have a USB port.

How to create a podcast for your online course

Want to create a private podcast for your online course? Nice choice!

Adding a private podcast to your membership course is a powerful way to add value to your students, disseminate more information and help your audience get to know you. Unlike blogging, posting on social media, or commenting in private groups, podcasting can help you build strong connections with people taking your online courses.

What is a private podcast?

Private podcasts are broadcasts that are not public. Only people with special permission can enjoy it. Not listed on major podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.

Online course creators can use private podcasts to create exclusive content for their audience. For example, you can record episodes for each module in your course. Or you can add access to podcasts as a membership benefit.

How to start a private podcast with Castos

When you’re ready to start your private podcast, you need a platform that allows you to limit your content. Castos is at the forefront of private podcasting because it provides the tools and integrations you need to easily manage your private broadcasts. Private podcasting is included in all standard pricing plans.

Castos makes it easy to create private podcasts for your online courses. Now let’s look at both steps.

Step 1: Set your podcast to private

Log into your Castos dashboard and select the podcast you want to make private. If you don’t have a podcast set up yet, click the New Podcast button to create one.

After choosing your podcast, go to the Distribution page. 

On the Distribution page and in the Visibility tab, turn the podcast to private. The RSS feed URL at the bottom will now change.

Then go to the Danger Zone tab and click the Show Podcast Website toggle. This will prevent the custom Castos website from being public.

Step 2: Add subscribers to your podcast.

The Distribution tab shows the URL of the RSS feed. This URL can be given to anyone who needs access to the podcast. But once they get the URL, they will always have it.

However, if you have a scenario where you want to remove someone else’s access to your private podcasts, you should change the entire private feed URL to prevent that person from accessing your private content.

If this is a problem, please consider using the private subscribers feature by adding new subscribers using their email address. Go to the Subscribers page of your Castos dashboard.

Click the New Contact button to add new subscribers. Submit the new subscribers’ contact info in the form that appears and select the show(s) you want them subscribed to.

If you have a lot of people you want to invite to your podcast, contact the Castos team to arrange a bulk import of your new private subscribers spreadsheet or CSV file into your account.

In the background, Castos will send an email to the specified address. This email contains a unique RSS feed customized for you and this podcast that you can paste anywhere. If you unsubscribe, this link will no longer work.

The email also contains a link to a smart page that detects the type of device being used and provides a list of mobile apps that support manual entry of private feed URLs. When the user selects their favorite app, the private feed URL will be autofilled.

They can add your private podcasts to any of the following podcast listening platforms:

• Castos 
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Pocket Casts
• Overcast
• Castbox
• Breaker
• Podcast Addict
• Downcast

Here’s what the email looks like:

How to Integrate Your Private Podcast with Your Online Course

After setting the podcast to private, the next step is to associate the podcast with your online course. The aim is to make the podcast available only to course participants.

Option 1: Integrate your podcasts with MemberSpace

MemberSpace is one of the best WordPress plugins for creating membership sites for online courses, video tutorials and premium podcast content. Integration with Castos MemberSpace makes it easier than ever to create private podcasts for the premium membership tier.

By connecting Castos to the MemberSpace API, you can choose to automatically receive an invitation email with a magic link when members join. This allows members to download the Castos mobile app, start a show and subscribe in seconds.

After making your podcast private using steps 1 and 2, click on your profile in the Castos dashboard. Access the Integrations page from the dropdown menu.

Now in the API tab, you’ll see your API token. Click copy to save it to your clipboard.

Back inside your MemberSpace dashboard, click the MemberSpace plugin. Then find Customize in the top navigation and go to Integrations > Castos. Paste your API token into the empty field and then click “Integrate with Castos.”

After you integrate Castos with MemberSpace, choose which of your Member Plans should receive access to the private podcast.

When a member joins one of your chosen plans, Castos will automatically send an invitation email with information on how to subscribe to the private podcast.

Option 2: Integrate your podcast with another course platform.

Even if you’re using a membership platform other than MemberSpace, you can still power your private podcasts with Castos. Simply send this API token to your membership platform where you can retrieve your podcast data.

Option 3: Manage your private podcast with Zapier.

Many podcasters use tools like Mailchimp and Gravity Forms to subscribe new listeners to their private podcasts. Instead of manually adding new emails to individual subscriber lists in your Castos dashboard, you can now automate this process using Zapier.

With over 2,000 built-in apps, the tools you use today are likely part of the Zapier ecosystem. Simply set up Zap and connect Castos to your tool of choice.

Option 4. Attach episodes to each module

If your course is split into modules, create a podcast episode for each. This is a great way to add different types of content to your module.

Attaching episodes to modules is easy. Just embed the audio player on the module side. Castos allows you to find the embed code for each episode in your dashboard. Click the link icon next to the episode you want to embed.

An overlay will then appear with the HTML code which you can paste anywhere.

5 Tips for Using a Private Podcast with Your Online Course

Now that you know how to create a private podcast for your online courses, let’s go over some tips to make your show a more valuable part of your membership.

1. It’s okay to be a bit long-winded.

One of the beautiful parts about podcasting is that listeners tend to listen all the way through, unlike blogging where readers tend to skim and skip around. Podcast listeners like to settle in and enjoy the entire episode.

This means that a little verbosity is okay. Of course, it’s important to stick to the main points, but don’t be afraid to tantalize yourself from time to time. Audiences of audio content are very tolerant of these things because they are accustomed to plain language.

2. Add the value (do not repeat).

We do not recommend using private podcasts to rewrite course content to another format. Students don’t see the podcast as adding value just by saying the same thing in audio form.

Find out how to distinguish podcast content from text and video content. Consider the types of supplemental information that make the most sense for each module.

For example, say you are teaching an online course on social media growth and one of her modules is about her use of TikTok. You can create a podcast episode for this module to interview some of the leading TikTok influencers and give case studies of their success.

3. Interview interesting and influential people. 

There’s a reason interviews are the most popular podcast format. Listeners love to be exposed to unique guests with interesting perspectives. This is a great way to provide a lot of value and keep your audience engaged. These guides can help:

• How to Propose and Book the Best Guests
• How to Conduct Podcast Interviews
• How to Impress Your Guests

4. Don’t bombard them with episodes.

It is important to consider how members consume content so as not to overwhelm members with too much content in a short period of time. You can set some pacing by attaching episodes to each module (as mentioned in the first tip) or by creating drip email campaigns linked to individual episodes. This allows you to consume content at an appropriate pace.

Listeners have full control over their learning speed, with access to their entire library of content at any time in their favorite listening app.

5. Invite students to participate.

 Instead of producing a podcast on your show, consider getting students involved. Invite them to an episode to explain the concepts and challenges they faced in putting your teachings into practice. This gives listeners a fresh perspective on the topic. This is especially effective if students are achieving great results after completing the course.

That’s a Wrap.

Here’s our list of the best podcast hosting services to try this year.

When choosing, first dig deep into the capabilities of the platform. You should be able to upload as much monthly content as you need, be compliant, view analytics, and have enough storage space.

Then decide if you want free and unlimited hosting or pay extra for more features.

Thirdly, if you need a brand new website? Look for options that combine web hosting with WordPress or Weebly so you can add show notes and blog posts. Make sure your hosting company works with the best podcast networks.

Finally, research hosts you can promote with marketing, crowdsourcing, advertising, monetization, expert guidance, and support.

These companies take the guesswork out of storing your podcasts, distributing your audio content to the right places, and supporting your podcast journey.

Our recommendation for new podcasters is to get started with Buzzsprout and get a free $20 gift card.

Last updated on August 4th, 2023 at 03:59 am