Podcast SEO: A Straightforward Guide to Getting Found
Let’s start with a simple truth: SEO matters. Evan for podcasts.
And despite the reputation SEO has for being overly complicated or requiring a dedicated expert, podcast SEO is actually pretty simple. You don’t need to overcomplicate this. A few smart choices with your titles and descriptions go a long way.
If you’ve ever wondered how to get more listeners without begging Instagram for attention or dropping your entire paycheck on ads, SEO is your answer. Not the buzzword-y, mystical version. Just the practical stuff that helps your show get discovered.
What Even Is SEO?
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. And in plain English? It's about making sure your content shows up when people search for things online.
Most folks associate SEO with blogs or YouTube channels. But podcasts? They’re indexed too. Platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and even Google are looking at your titles, descriptions, transcripts, and episode notes to figure out what your show is about.
The goal? Make it easy for them to figure that out.
So, What Does Podcast SEO Actually Mean?
In short: podcast SEO is about making your podcast easier to find.
It means using the right words in the right places—like your episode titles, descriptions, and even your website—so that people searching for topics you talk about can actually find you.
Think of it as making your podcast "searchable." You're telling platforms, "Hey, this episode is about scaling a SaaS company," or "This one's a deep dive into creative block for designers."
When you describe your episodes clearly and intentionally, both humans and algorithms know exactly what they’re going to get.
Keywords: The Foundation of Podcast SEO
Think of keywords as the words or phrases people type into Spotify or Google to find content like yours. If your show is about entrepreneurship, productivity, or creative careers—you want your episode to show up when someone searches those terms.
You’ll want to use a mix of:
Head keywords: Broad terms like "marketing podcast"
Long-tail keywords: More specific phrases like "how to build an email list for creators"
Why long-tail? They're less competitive and more specific. You’re more likely to rank for them and find an audience that's already looking for exactly what you offer.
When you’re uploading a new episode, think about where you can naturally include these keywords:
Spotify or YouTube Title: Use the keyword right in the episode title. Not keyword stuffing—just clarity.
Episode Description: Summarize what it’s about using your main keyword and a few related ones.
Chapters/Timestamps (on YouTube especially): Mention key topics.
Show Notes or Blog Post: If you write accompanying content, structure it with keywords in mind too.
Real World Example: Say you're a business podcast and you did an interview focused on burnout for first-time founders. Instead of titling the episode "A Chat with Sam," try something like: *"Avoiding Burnout: Sam on Founder Fatigue, Stress Management, and Startup Survival."
Your Podcast Description: What It Is and Why It Counts
Your show description is the short bio that lives on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other directories. It’s one of the first things new listeners (and search engines) will read.
Make it count.
Here's what to include:
A one-line summary of what your podcast is about
Your name
Your core topics or themes
One or two well-placed keywords (like "creator economy," "startup founders," etc.)
A link to your site or newsletter if you have one
Keep it clear, simple, and informative. You don’t need to be poetic—just give people (and algorithms) the gist.
Episode Titles: Think Clarity, Not Clickbait
We already touched on this in the keyword section, but it’s worth emphasizing again: episode titles are key.
They do two things:
Tell people what they’ll learn or hear.
Help search engines know where to categorize your episode.
When writing a title, ask: If someone was searching for this, would it show up? Would they click it?
Don’t say: *"The James Clear Episode" Do say: *"James Clear on Building Habits That Actually Stick"
Avoid vague titles. Be direct. Use keywords if they make sense. And always think like your listener.
Episode Descriptions: Your SEO Secret Weapon
Every episode gets its own description—that little paragraph you write when uploading. These are often underutilized.
Here's why they’re important: They show up in search. That means if you include the right terms, you're giving yourself a better shot at discovery.
Write 3-4 short, clear sentences:
Start strong. The first 120 characters matter most.
Mention your guest, topic, and takeaways.
Include 1-2 keywords.
Link to relevant content or socials.
And that’s it. Seriously. It doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to write a novel or stuff it with every synonym you can think of. Just be intentional.
Don’t Sleep On Your Website
If you have a podcast, you should absolutely have a home for it online.
Why?
Search engines index your site.
You control the branding, the layout, and the experience.
It gives you an excuse to repurpose episode content into blog posts (which = more SEO opportunities)
Use platforms like Squarespace or Webflow if you're not a coder. And include:
An embedded player or playlist
Show notes with keywords
Episode archive
Links to socials or newsletter sign-up
Every episode should have its own page or post. Think of it like a blog: title, transcript (optional but good), summary, and links.
That’s It. Keep It Simple.
Podcast SEO doesn’t have to feel like a mystery. When you understand how platforms index your content, you can give them exactly what they’re looking for.
Make things easy to find. Say what the episode is about. Use keywords naturally. And keep your listener (and future listener) in mind.
You don’t need to dive into deep keyword research or obsess over analytics dashboards. A lot of this is about doing what you’re already doing—just a little more intentionally.
It’s not rocket science. It’s just clear communication. And clarity, as always, wins.
