The Power of SEO: A Guide for Podcasters to Boost Visibility and Reach
Bonus material: Get The 3 Step Podcast Promotion Playbook
Simply creating great content is no longer enough to stand out in the podcasting community. If you think about it, with over 3 million podcasts worldwide (and counting), the competition to get listeners' attention is more challenging than ever before.
Is there a solution to getting more traction for your podcast?
It all comes down to SEO—optimizing your show to rank higher in search results and then attracting the attention of your target audience.
A good podcast SEO strategy has many advantages—better visibility, more targeted traffic to your website, opportunities to reuse content, get backlinks, and, best of all, grow your listener base.
In this guide, we will go over the strategies that will send your podcast soaring up the charts.
Understanding Podcast SEO
SEO (search engine optimization) for podcasting means optimizing your show to make it rank higher in search results, both on general web searches (Google, Bing) and in podcast apps (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube).
Why is this so important?
People often find new podcasts when searching on their favorite platforms. In fact, a survey by Voxalyze shows that 38.1% of listeners find new podcasts by searching directly on podcast apps like Spotify and Apple Podcast, while another 18% use Google.
Each podcast platform has its own unique search algorithms when deciding what to show people in their search results.
Apple Podcast has a preference for titles (without numbers!) and descriptions, while Spotify's a bit more complex as they take into account how people use the app and even who their friends are (yes, you can follow them).
The trick is to figure out the “rules of the game” for each platform, so you can make your podcast appealing to their algorithms and get shown to the right people.
Optimizing Podcast Metadata
Metadata is the behind-the-scenes info about your podcast that helps apps understand what you're all about. Why is this important? Optimizing your metadata can boost your visibility in search results, and you know what loves it? Algorithms! So here's what to focus on:
1. Podcast Title and Subtitle
You shouldn't take your podcast title lightly as it is arguably the most important element for SEO.
It should be catchy and must include your main keyword.
Say, your podcast is about meditation. "Guided Meditation Podcast: Relaxation | Stress Relief Tips" is a good podcast title. Don't stuff the title with too many keywords, though—just stick to one to two relevant ones.
You can add more information or a keyword to your subtitle.
2. Podcast Description
This gives people (and search engines) a clear overview of what your show's about in a couple of sentences.
Aim for around 2 to 3 sentences that explain the core topic/niche, what the listener can expect, and include 2 to 3 target keywords.
For example, the podcast description for Mary Meckley's Daily Meditation Podcast reads: "Be guided in a brief mini-meditation using a time-proven meditation technique in each episode to sleep better, manage anxiety, and improve mental focus."
3. Episode Titles and Descriptions
Individual episode titles and descriptions are just as important for SEO.
Make episode titles clear, intriguing, and include keywords related to the episode's topic (keep them under 60 words so they don't get cut off on certain platforms).
Your description should expand on what the podcast episode is about, again, using a few keywords naturally. Remember the 2 to 3-paragraph rule so potential listeners would want to click play.
For example, suppose your episode is about challenges and opportunities in venture capital in the US. In that case, it makes sense to use the title “Challenges and Opportunities in US Venture Capital,” right?
Common metadata mistakes to avoid:
Vague or broad titles/descriptions
Overusing keywords in metadata
Leaving fields empty
Using special characters, odd spellings, or inconsistent formatting
Multiple episodes with identical titles/descriptions
Keyword Research and Strategy
Knowing relevant keywords is important to any effective SEO strategy, podcast included. They will determine how easily your ideal podcast listeners can find your show amidst all the noise within search engines.
Start by brainstorming broad keywords related to your podcast's niche or topic. Then, use keyword research tools like:
These tools will let you know how many people search for each keyword and how hard it is to rank for. You want a good mix of popular keywords and some that aren't quite as competitive.
For example, a gardening podcast may target relevant keywords like "beginner houseplants" and long-tail phrases like "best low-maintenance houseplants for beginners."
Content Optimization for SEO
So you've got your keywords and metadata sorted out, but if your podcast content itself is not on par with your SEO efforts, it won't matter.
Google has stated that it aims to show the best results to match the intent behind each search query.
So if people are searching for phrases like "best side hustles" or "best abs workout," you need to create episodes that actually deliver.
Think about what questions your target audience might have. What problems do they need to be solved?
Then, when you're ready to make episodes, use those keywords in your titles, descriptions, and the actual episode itself.
Don't just stop at the audio content, though; create detailed show notes and transcripts. These things not only help Google understand your content better, but they also make your podcast way more searchable.
Building Authority and Backlinks
Just like with regular website SEO, links from other sites back to your podcast website help you rank higher. Here's how you can make those links happen:
1. Get Listeners Buzzing
Build a loyal base of listeners who are excited to share your content.
Make it super easy with shortcut links, add share buttons to your podcast page, and even offer shout-outs or giveaways for people who leave reviews.
You get more backlink opportunities as more blog posts and social media posts discuss your episodes.
2. Using Guests
Every guest you have on your show is a potential backlink! Ask them to share the episode with their audience once it goes live.
You can also write additional blogs, recaps, summaries, or give your guest a backlink.
3. Get Mentioned/Featured
Reach out to industry publications, directories, or curated lists in your niche.
For example, we have a blog listing the "Top 15 Podcast Production Companies in 2024: Our Picks for Quality Podcasts" which highlights other production companies and has all of their information listed there.
4. Embed Your Episodes
Finally, look for opportunities to embed your podcast episodes or audio players on other websites.
Maybe you're a guest expert on something? An embedded podcast is a great way to get a natural backlink.
The more high-quality backlinks you have, the stronger your podcast's impact will be, and the higher you will rank.
Creating a Podcast Website
You can do so many things with SEO on podcast platforms alone, but your podcast will have more potential and be taken seriously when you create a dedicated website or a dedicated page on your existing website.
Why you need a website page:
Total freedom on the branding and how it works
Perfect for SEO-optimized show notes, transcripts, downloads, and other resources
More content = more traffic
Makes getting backlinks easier
Follow these best practices when developing your podcast website:
Choosing a clear, keyword-rich domain name (e.g. thewordpresssecuritypodcast.com)
Setting up a logical, search engine-friendly URL setup
Using descriptive titles, H1/H2 headers, alt image text, episode descriptions and meta descriptions
High-quality, keyword-optimized long-form content
Optimizing mobile loading times and user experience
Tools like the Semrush Site Audit can analyze your podcast website for any technical SEO issues. Fix those issues and you'll have a solid platform for getting your show in front of more listeners.
Measuring and Optimizing Performance
SEO isn't a one-and-done deal. You've got to keep an eye on how you're doing, spot opportunities, and change things based on what you learn from data and algorithm changes.
Track things like:
Your rankings: Are you moving up for your target keywords?
Website traffic: How many people are finding you through a search?
Backlinks: Who else is linking to your awesome podcast?
Listener stats: How long are people listening?
You should also perform regular technical SEO audits on your website and hosting platform. Search for and fix:
Broken links / 404 errors
Slow page load times
Duplicate content
Mobile usability issues
Missing metadata
You may need to switch optimization strategies as search algorithms change and new ranking factors appear. For instance, Google has suggested demoting AI-generated content in search results, which could affect auto-transcription.
You have to stay on top of SEO trends to become successful. Analyze your data and competitive landscape to uncover new possible content and keyword opportunities to target.
Also, make sure that your older posts (and not just the new episodes) continue getting optimized and promoted.
Final podcast SEO tips
In the crowded and noisy world of podcasting, investing in an SEO approach isn't just smart—it's how you get heard. It's a necessity for gaining organic traffic and growing your audience.
As you realize, yes it takes work, but the payoff is incredible: more visibility, stronger brand recognition, and the potential to make money from your podcast. Follow these best practices, measure results, and adjust your growth strategy.
Are you feeling overwhelmed about your podcast's SEO strategy? Do you want to start implementing the strategies in this guide? Let us help! Schedule a call with us!