HOW TO NAME A PODCAST PEOPLE ACTUALLY CLICK
- Tyler Copenhaver
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Your podcast title is worth millions of dollars in free marketing — or it could get you sued. Here's what you need to know before you name your show.
Why does your podcast title matter so much?
Your title is your storefront window.
Before anyone ever hears your voice, sees your guest list, or experiences your content, they see three things: your cover art, your title, and your description. That's it. That's your entire first impression in a sea of thousands of shows on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
A great title creates a curiosity click. A forgettable title gets scrolled past. A clever, targeted title can be worth millions of dollars in marketing value — because it does the selling for you before anyone hits play.
What is the first thing I should do before naming my podcast?
Research. Before you fall in love with a name, Google it.
This is one of the most frustrating steps in starting a podcast because almost every good name has already been used somewhere. But skipping this step is a serious mistake.
There are real stories of podcasters who built popular shows, grew an audience, and then got sued because they never checked whether their title was trademarked. Everything they built — the brand, the audience, the name recognition — was taken away.
Here's the minimum you need to do:
Google the name and see if any existing podcast is already using it
Search the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) at uspto.gov for any existing trademarks in the media or podcasting space
Make sure nothing in the same general space already holds that name — and no, adding "the" or a small word to an existing trademarked name doesn't protect you
Ideally, hire a trademark attorney. Not everyone can afford $1,000+ for a full trademark search on a new show — but at bare minimum, do the manual research yourself before you invest in branding, cover art, or promotion.
One important note: AI tools are not reliable for this. They don't accurately surface existing podcast names. Do this research manually.
Should I name my podcast before defining my target audience?
No — and if you're already thinking about names, you're getting ahead of yourself.
Your title needs to speak directly to your target audience, and what resonates with a 16-year-old man is completely different from what resonates with a 60-year-old woman. If you haven't done the deep work of defining exactly who you're making this show for, you can't make a good naming decision.
Get your target audience nailed down first. Then name the show.
How do I come up with a podcast title that actually works?
Think about the marketing power of the name itself — not just what it describes, but how it feels and what it makes people do.
A great example: have you ever heard of Country Pastries? Probably not. But you've definitely heard of Pop-Tarts. Same product. The name made all the difference.
There's a book called Brain Glue by James Bond that goes deep on this concept — how the right name creates an emotional and psychological hook that drives behavior. A blog called Mommy Needs Vodka didn't need a marketing budget. The name did the work.
Another example: a book that went nowhere under its original title was renamed Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus — and it became one of the best-selling books of all time. The name was the marketing.
When you're naming your podcast, ask yourself: does this title create curiosity? Does it make someone in my target audience feel seen? Would they stop scrolling and click just based on the name alone?
That curiosity click in a crowded podcast directory is invaluable — and a great title delivers it for free, every single time someone browses.
What are the biggest podcast naming mistakes to avoid?
Naming before you know your audience Your title needs to be built for a specific person. Generic names appeal to nobody. Know exactly who you're talking to before you decide what to call the show.
Skipping the trademark and search research This isn't optional. A name that's already in use — or worse, already trademarked — can cost you everything you've built. Do the research before you invest in anything.
Choosing a safe, forgettable name Safe names don't get clicked. If your title could apply to any podcast in your category, it's not working hard enough. Push for something specific, evocative, or unexpected.
Relying on AI to check availability AI tools don't reliably surface existing podcast names. Do this manually through Google and the podcast directories directly.
What is the "storefront window" concept in podcasting?
The storefront window is the combination of three elements that form your entire first impression:
Your cover art
Your title
Your description
Only after someone passes through that window do you get the chance to show them your actual content. Most podcasters obsess over their content and treat these three elements as an afterthought. It should be the opposite.
Think of it like a retail store on a busy street. The window display is what stops people walking by. No matter how good the products are inside, if the window doesn't make people stop and look, nobody ever finds out.
Spend real time and real thought on all three — especially the title, because it travels everywhere your podcast is listed, shared, or recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to trademark my podcast name?
Ideally yes, especially if you're building a brand around it. At minimum, search the USPTO and Google thoroughly before committing to any name. If the show grows, a trademark becomes increasingly important.
Can AI help me check if my podcast name is taken?
No — AI tools are not reliable for finding existing podcast names. Always do manual research directly in Google, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the USPTO.
What makes a podcast title memorable?
The best titles create curiosity, speak directly to a specific audience, and have a hook that makes people want to click. Think about the emotional or psychological reaction the name creates — not just what it literally describes.
When should I start thinking about my podcast name?
Only after you've clearly defined your target audience. The name needs to be built for a specific person. Get the audience right first, then name the show.
Shot at Backlot Studios / AZ Pod Studio / Business Radio X — Phoenix, Arizona.
Stay tuned for the next video in this series: how not to get your podcast butt kicked in branding.
Comments