So you’ve launched your podcast, awesome! You’ve poured in your passion, crafted killer content, and now it’s time to grow your audience. But with thousands of new podcasts popping up every day, how do you make yours stand out? Ranking higher on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify is crucial for visibility, discovery, and growth.

Here are 5 effective tips to help your podcast climb the charts and reach more ears:

1. Nail the First Impression: Optimize Your Podcast Metadata

Your podcast title, description, and artwork are your first impression, think of them as your storefront window. If they’re not appealing or clear, potential listeners will scroll right past you.

Here’s how to make them work for you:

• Podcast title: Keep it clear, searchable, and specific. Include relevant keywords without sounding spammy.
• Description: This should tell listeners (and the platforms) what your podcast is about. Use keywords naturally, describe the value of the show, and include links to your website or socials.
• Artwork: Your cover should look professional, stand out at thumbnail size, and reflect your brand. Apple recommends a size of 3000 x 3000 pixels.

Optimized metadata helps both Apple and Spotify index your podcast better, leading to higher discoverability and better rankings.

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2. Consistency is King: Release Episodes on a Schedule

Ranking algorithms reward consistency. Both Spotify and Apple tend to push shows that publish regularly because it signals you're serious and keeps listeners engaged.

Set a cadence and stick to it.

• Whether it's weekly, biweekly, or monthly, pick a schedule you can maintain.
• Let your audience know when to expect new content (e.g., "New episodes every Tuesday").

Inconsistent publishing leads to drop-offs in downloads and subscriber engagement, which can lower your visibility.

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3. Encourage Ratings, Reviews, and Follows

Positive reviews and high engagement metrics are a strong signal to podcast platforms that your show is worth promoting. They also build social proof that can convert new visitors into subscribers.

Here’s how to encourage your listeners:

• Ask for ratings and reviews at the end of each episode.
• Run small giveaways or shoutouts to incentivize reviews.
• Remind listeners to “Follow” or “Subscribe” to your podcast, it helps platforms know people want more from you.

Apple Podcasts especially considers follows and reviews when ranking shows on charts.

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4. Promote Outside the Platform

While Apple and Spotify rankings are influenced by in-app engagement, traffic from outside sources (social media, websites, email lists) can drive up downloads and listens, especially during the crucial first 24-48 hours after a new episode drops.

Use these strategies:

• Share audiograms or teaser clips on Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn.
• Start a newsletter or promote on relevant Reddit threads or Facebook groups.
• Partner with other podcasters for cross-promotion.

The more attention and streams your episode gets quickly, the more likely it is to be featured in “New & Noteworthy” or similar categories.

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5. Analyze, Tweak, Repeat: Use Podcast Analytics

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Apple Podcasts Connect and Spotify provide solid analytics, like retention rate, popular episodes, and follower trends.

Use this data to:

• Understand what content resonates most with your audience.
• Identify drop-off points and tweak future episodes.
• Test new formats, titles, or lengths and see what performs better.

Making data-driven decisions helps you build momentum and tailor your strategy for ranking success.

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Bonus Tip: Ask for the Follow, Not Just the Listen

The most underrated move? Get people to follow your podcast. Both Apple and Spotify use follows as a major engagement metric to rank shows. A follow tells the algorithm, “This listener wants more of this,” which boosts your chances of climbing up the charts.

Instead of saying, “Don’t forget to listen,” say, “If you liked this episode, hit follow so you never miss one!”

Final Thoughts

Climbing the ranks on Apple and Spotify takes time, but with the right strategies, it’s absolutely doable. Start by tightening up your metadata, keeping a consistent publishing schedule, and driving real engagement from your listeners. Promote your content smartly and use analytics to fine-tune your game.

Happy podcasting, and see you on the charts!

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