What Is an RSS Feed and Why Every Podcaster Needs One
- Tyler Copenhaver
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
If you're uploading your podcast manually to every platform, you're wasting hours of your life. Here's the one tool that changes everything.
What is an RSS feed and why does it matter for podcasters?
An RSS feed is the distribution engine behind every successful podcast — and most new podcasters have never heard of it.
Here's the simplest way to think about it: back in the days of vinyl records, someone had to physically take a copy of the record to every individual radio station to get it played. That was the only way to distribute it. An RSS feed is the modern version of that delivery guy — except it works automatically.
You upload your audio to one single platform. The RSS feed then takes that file and delivers it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and every other major audio platform automatically. Instead of managing 15 different uploads across 15 different platforms, you manage one.
That's it. One upload. Everywhere.
Do professional podcasters really upload to every platform separately?
No — and this surprises almost everyone who's new to podcasting.
When most people start out, they assume the professionals are logging into Apple Podcasts, then Spotify, then iHeartRadio, uploading each episode one by one. They're not. At AZ Pod Studio, we produce podcasts every single day and upload each episode to one single platform. The RSS feed handles the rest, distributing it to 15 major audio outlets automatically.
If you've been doing it the manual way, an RSS feed will give you hours of your life back.
Is YouTube enough for my podcast? Do I still need audio distribution?
YouTube is not enough — and this is one of the biggest mistakes podcasters make right now.
Millions of people never watch a podcast. They listen to it. The two most common ways people consume podcasts are on a walk and in the car — both audio-only situations. If your podcast only exists on YouTube, you are completely invisible to those listeners.
Think about your own habits. How often do you actually sit down and watch a podcast versus putting it on while you drive, work out, or walk the dog? Probably not that often.
YouTube didn't kill audio podcasting — it expanded it. Now you have a video platform that helps with discovery AND an audio distribution network that keeps people coming back through habit and convenience. You need both. Video for reach, audio for retention.
Why should my podcast be on multiple audio platforms?
Because your listeners are not all in the same place — and you should never make them come to you.
Some people live in Spotify. Others are Apple Podcast loyalists. Some don't own iPhones at all. If your podcast is only on one platform, you're creating friction — an extra step between your potential listener and your content. Some of those people will take that extra step. Most won't.
The goal is to remove every possible barrier between you and your audience. Meet them where they already are. Make it as easy as possible to find, follow, and listen to your show no matter what device or platform they prefer.
There's also an SEO, AEO, and GEO argument for being everywhere — more platforms means more indexed content, more backlinks, and more signals to AI tools that your show exists and has authority. But the simplest reason is this: make it easy for your people.
What is the difference between video podcasting and audio podcasting?
They serve different purposes and you need both.
Video podcasting — primarily through YouTube — is your discovery engine. The YouTube algorithm actively pushes your content to new audiences. It's one of the most powerful organic distribution tools available to podcasters today, and it also gives you raw material for social media clips.
Audio podcasting is your retention engine. It's how people build the habit of listening to you regularly. Audio fits into the moments of daily life where video simply doesn't — commutes, workouts, dog walks, cooking dinner. Those are the moments where loyal listeners are built.
A lot of podcasters see video as necessary for growth and audio as necessary for consistency. Both are right. Don't choose one over the other.
How do I use an RSS feed to distribute my podcast?
The process is straightforward:
Choose an RSS feed platform — there are several options and each has pros and cons (a dedicated video on the best RSS platforms is coming soon from AZ Pod Studio)
Upload your audio file once to that platform
The RSS feed distributes it automatically to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and the other major platforms connected to your feed
Some RSS platforms are now evolving to distribute video as well as audio, pushing your video podcast to connected networks alongside the audio version. The industry is still catching up here, but it's coming.
The bottom line: choose your RSS platform carefully, set it up once, and let it work for you every single episode going forward.
What happens if I only publish my podcast on YouTube?
You miss every listener who consumes podcasts through audio.
That's not a small group. Millions of people subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio and never look at YouTube for podcast content. They're listening in situations where watching isn't possible. If you're YouTube-only, those people will never find you — no matter how good your content is.
Professional podcasters treat YouTube as one channel in a larger distribution strategy, not the whole strategy. The RSS feed is what makes being everywhere simple enough to actually do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms does an RSS feed distribute to? Most RSS feed platforms distribute to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and many more — often 15 or more platforms from a single upload.
Is setting up an RSS feed technical or complicated? It sounds technical but it isn't. You choose an RSS feed platform, upload your audio, and the platform handles the rest. Most are designed to be beginner-friendly.
Do I need a separate RSS feed for video and audio? Currently most RSS feeds are audio-focused, though some platforms are beginning to support video distribution as well. For now, use YouTube for video distribution and your RSS feed for audio distribution across all major platforms.
Should I still publish on YouTube if I use an RSS feed? Absolutely yes. YouTube and your RSS feed serve completely different purposes. YouTube drives discovery through its algorithm. Your RSS feed handles audio distribution for convenience and habit-building. You need both.
Which RSS feed platform should I use? AZ Pod Studio has tested every major RSS platform and will be releasing a full breakdown of the best options, pros and cons, and what to watch out for. Stay tuned.
Shot at Backlot Studios / AZ Pod Studio / Business Radio X — Phoenix, Arizona.
Drop a comment on the video and let us know which RSS platforms you're currently exploring — we're building that comparison video now.
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