Manage Your Podcast

Statuses indicators in the Podcasts Channel

The status indicates immediately whether your show, episode, channel, or subscription needs attention.  Please note our application and web pages are still in development and many of the proposed features may change and are not functioning yet at this juncture.

​

• A red status indicator means that you need to perform some action before your show, episode, channel, or subscription can be available on the Podcast Channel.

• A yellow status indicator means that some process is ongoing, controlled either by you or by Apple (iTunes) or another platform provider like Anchor, PodBean, Spreaker, etc.

• A green status indicator means that the show, episode, channel, or subscription is ready for or available on the Podcast Channel.

​

Channel and subscription status

Channels and subscriptions are reviewed separately. Your channel can be available on the Podcast Channel and any shows or episodes without subscriber audio are available to your listeners while your subscription is being reviewed.

 

Click to learn more about the review process.

​

Individual Channel Status Descriptions

Draft

Your channel has not been submitted to the Podcast Channel programming department. Make sure to follow our content guidelines and submit for review.

​

Published

Your channel was approved and is available on the Podcast Channel. If your channel includes a subscription, it was also approved and is available on the Podcast Channel.

​

Subscription in Review

Your channel was approved and is available on the website and app. If your channel includes a subscription, it is currently in review.

​

Subscription Unavailable

Your channel was approved and is available online; however, we found an issue with your subscription. Address the issue by following our content guidelines and resubmit your channel for review.

​

Removed (Issue Found)

Your channel did not pass the review process. Address the issue by following our content guidelines and resubmit your channel for review.

​

Removed and Archived (Issue Found)

You archived your channel and subscription because you no longer want it to be available on the Podcast Channel or our affiliates or you need to manage it. If you restore the channel, you will need to resolve an issue with the channel before you submit it for review.

​

Archived

You removed the channel, subscriptions, and any subscriber audio from the Podcast Channel. When you’re ready you can restore your channel.

​

Archived (Subscription Issue)

You archived your channel and subscription because you no longer want it to be available on the Podcast Channel or you need to manage it. If you restore the channel, you will need to resolve an issue with the subscription before you submit it for review.

Show status

Status Descriptions are indicators telling you either where the podcast has been posted (audience reports and play stats for the Podcast Channel can be purchased separately) 

​

Archived

You archived your show because you no longer want it to be available on the Podcast Channel or you need to manage it. Learn how to restore a podcast.

​

Draft

Your show hasn’t been published. Make sure to complete all required metadata fields, and when you’re ready, submit your show for review.

​

Published

Your show was approved. If you have at least one episode with a Published status, your show is available on the Podcast Channel.

​

Ready for Release

Your show is approved and ready but not yet available on the Podcast Channel. The show will be available on the Release Date provided. 

​

Removed by Creator

You removed your show from the Podcast Channel.

​

Removed (Issue Found)

There is an issue with your show and it’s not available on the Podcast Channel. Resolve the issue and resubmit your show for review.
 

Removed and Archived (Issue Found)

You archived your show because you no longer want it to be available on the Podcast Channel or need to manage it. If you restore the podcast, you will need to resolve an issue with the show and resubmit it for review.

Episode status

Status Description

​

Archived

You archived your episode because you no longer want it to be available on the Podcast Channel or need to manage it. Learn how to restore an episode.

​

Draft

Your episode hasn’t been published. Make sure to complete all required metadata fields, and when you’re ready, publish.

​

Published

If your show status is Published as well, your episode is available on the Podcast Channel.

​

Removed (Issue Found)

There is an issue with your episode and it’s not available on the Podcast Channel. 

​

Removed and Archived (Issue Found)

You archived your episode because you no longer want it to be available on the channel or need to manage it. If you restore the episode, you will need to resolve an issue with the episode before you publish it.

​

Related Content

Content Setup

SEE BELOW

​

Review process

Before they’re available on the Podcast Channel, channels, shows, and subscriptions are reviewed to ensure they comply with our content, subscription, and artwork guidelines.

Review process

​

​

​

Content Requirements

Podcast Channel content guidelines

Podcasting is an extraordinary medium that allows people to share information, perspectives, stories, and ideas with listeners around the world. With the Podcast Channel in launch phase our guiding principle is simple: we want to provide a delightful, trusted experience for new listeners, and rewarding opportunities for creators to successfully present their podcasts, distribute & monetize their shows.

​

To help creators and listeners know what to expect from each other, and from the Podcast Channel, we maintain the following content guidelines.  These guidelines will evolve over time and we will keep creators informed of significant changes as they are updated.

​

In the event that a creator’s content does not meet these guidelines, we may take action to label or remove the content from the Podcast Channel. We value the work creators offer on the Podcast Channel and will work to help resolve any issues that may arise.

​

1. Inaccurate, Misleading, or Unauthorized Content

• 1.1. Metadata Accuracy. Podcast metadata (for example, titles, descriptions, language, etc.) must always accurately represent the corresponding content that is distributed.

• 1.2. Explicit Content. Creators must flag individual episodes with the “Explicit” tag if they contain explicit content (for example, profanity or content that may not be suitable for children).

• 1.3. Self-Censored Content. The Podcast Channel automatically censors certain explicit words in titles, so creators should not self-censor language in metadata, such as titles or descriptions. These metadata fields must be written as intended, and all words should be completely spelled out. For example, creators do not need to insert asterisks within explicit words. However, the use of censoring symbols as a stylistic name or brand choice is permitted, if you use that name or brand with such censoring symbols consistently in your name elsewhere, beyond The Podcast Channel.

• 1.4. Impersonation. Podcasts designed to mislead listeners by mimicking, copying, or duplicating other content or search terms are not permitted. Creators must not pretend to be someone else or claim they are affiliated with someone else without their permission and cannot use the artwork, description, or metadata of another creator’s show without permission. 

• 1.5. Manipulation. Creators must not encourage or cause any misleading, fraudulent, improper, unlawful, or dishonest activities that interfere with the integrity of The Podcast Channel. For example, creators cannot artificially increase, falsify, or otherwise manipulate a podcast’s follows, listens, ratings, or reviews, or attempt to influence search using inaccurate or inappropriate terms.

• 1.6. Incomplete Content. Don’t provide sample or trailer episodes for podcasts which are not or will not be shortly available in The Podcast Channel. For episodic shows, you may choose to make a subset of your podcast episodes available on The Podcast Channel so long as the episodes are published to The Podcast Channel on a regular cadence. 

  • The amount of editorial content in an episode should greatly exceed any advertising content, so episodes must not consist primarily of advertising or marketing for products, content, or services outside The Podcast Channel without providing an editorial benefit for listeners.

• 1.7. Rights Infringement. Podcasts must not contain materials that infringe on the rights of others (for example, copyright, right of publicity, trademark, etc.). Creators must ensure their podcasts only include content that they have the rights to use.

• 1.8. Password-Protected Content. Content that requires a password is prohibited from the The Podcast Channel directory.

• 1.9. Duplicate Content and Repeated Submissions. Content may be removed if multiple copies of a show or episode are submitted. If creators seek to publish an updated version of a show or episode, they should upload a replacement to the original.

• 1.10. Use of Trademarks & Copyrighted Terms. Podcasts not produced by the Podcast Channel or its affiliates must not imply that they are.  Please do not use trademarks or logos (such as the Apple logo, Google Inc., or Facebook with the Podcast Channel) in a way that makes the content appear to be associated, branded or created by another brand separate from your own without specific permission allowing you to do so. To learn more, see Guidelines for Using Trademarks and Copyrights.  Coming Soon. 

​

2. Illegal, Harmful, or Objectionable Content

• 2.1. Illegal Content. Creators’ content must comply with applicable law and regulations for the countries or regions where the content is distributed. 

• 2.2. Harmful or Objectionable Content. Some content may not be suitable for distribution on the Podcast Channel, such as content that may lead to harmful or dangerous outcomes, or content that is obscene or gratuitous. For example, The Podcast Channel does not allow content that includes:

  • Encouragement of suicide or self-harm.

  • Encouragement of criminal activity or illegal acts.

  • Defamatory, discriminatory, or mean-spirited content, including references or commentary about religion, race, sexual orientation, gender, national or ethnic origin, or other targeted groups, particularly if the content is likely to humiliate, intimidate, harass, or harm individuals or groups or includes specific threats of violence against certain groups or individuals. Professional political satirists and humorists are generally exempt from this requirement.

If a podcast contains harmful or objectionable content that is disputed by authoritative sources, the Podcast Channel or affiliate app may label the podcast to reflect the dispute.

• 2.3. Cultural Sensitivities. Creators are responsible for being knowledgeable about and, if appropriate, addressing any cultural sensitivities before distributing a podcast in a given country or region.

​

3. Advertising Guidelines

• 3.1. Advertising Laws. All advertising must be in compliance with applicable law (for example, laws around disclosure of content as paid or sponsored advertising, the content of advertising, and what type of advertising may be included without an age verification).

​

4. Paid Content Guidelines

In addition to the preceding content guidelines, the following guidelines apply to paid content available on the Podcast Channel through Podcast Channel Subscriptions.

• 4.1. Subscription Accuracy. Creators must clearly and accurately describe what benefits listeners will receive in exchange for the price, and the description must match the benefits provided, including the frequency or cadence on which subscribers can expect new subscriber content. Creators must update this information if and when there is a change to the benefits or content that a subscriber might reasonably be expecting.

• 4.2. Duplicate Shows. A show must be associated with a channel and duplicate shows are not permitted. If creators offer free and paid versions of the same show on The Podcast Channel, they must link them using the Podcast Channel Connect.

• 4.3. Premium Experience. In order to ensure that customers receive a premium experience when buying subscriptions on the Podcast Channel:

  • Creators cannot charge for content in the Podcast Channel if that content is available elsewhere for free at the same time in the same country or region.

  • Creators cannot offer benefits, such as ad-free listening or early access to new content, if those benefits are available elsewhere for free at the same time for listeners in the same country or region.

  • Creators cannot offer ad-free listening as a benefit if they do not have ads in their free shows.

• 4.4. Ongoing Value. Subscriptions are not intended to be one-time transactions. The value may differ for each subscription depending on the content and benefits offered by creators, but the subscription must supply ongoing value to subscribers.

​

​

​

Manage Your Podcast

Archive or restore a channel, show, or episode on the Podcast Channel panel

 

Archive your content

If you no longer need to manage a channel, show, or episode, you can archive it. Archiving content removes it from your Content dashboard, Analytics, and the Podcast Channel pages. Archived content isn’t editable, but you can restore it to a Draft state.

​

Below, you’ll find instructions on how to archive content as well as any effects to your subscribers.

​

How to archive a channel

1. In the Podcast Channel Panel, search for or select a channel from your dashboard.

2. Under More Actions, click Archive Channel.

3. Confirm you understand the consequences of archiving a channel.

4. Click Archive.

​

If you archive a channel with a subscription, all subscriptions will be canceled and subscribers will receive a refund for the subscription benefit.

​

How to archive a show

1. In the Podcast Channel Panel, search for or select a show from your dashboard.

2. Under More Actions, click Archive Show.

3. Confirm you understand the consequences of archiving a show.

4. Click Archive.

​

How to archive an episode

1. In the Podcast Channel Panel, search for or select a show from your dashboard.

2. Click the Episodes tab.

3. Select the episode you want to archive.

4. Under More Actions, click Archive Episode.

​

Archiving an episode removes it from the Podcast Channel and Analytics. If the episode included subscriber audio, your subscribers will lose access to it. The episode remains visible in the Podcast Channel Connect area on the Episodes tab of a show page, but it cannot be edited unless you restore it.

​

Important: Episodes created from an RSS feed cannot be archived. Please work with your third-party hosting provider to make your episodes unavailable.

​

Restore your content

You can restore archived content to a Draft state. Restoring content brings back most information and settings. Historical data is restored to Analytics. If you want to make the content available on The Podcast Channel, submit it for review.

​

How to restore a channel

1. In the Podcast Channel Panel, search for or select a channel from your dashboard.

2. Under More Actions, click Restore Channel.

3. Click Restore.

4. ​

If you had a subscription on your channel, the subscription promotion information and artwork will be restored, but you will need to resubmit it for review.

​

How to restore a show

1. In the Podcast Channel Panel, click the All Statuses menu.

2. Select Archived Shows.

3. Select a show in the archive.

4. Under More Actions, click Restore Show.

5. Click Restore.

​

If the show belonged to a channel that was deleted while the show was archived, move the show to a new channel to make it available for listening. After the show is available on The Podcast Channel, access will be granted to any former subscribers.

​

How to restore an episode

1. In the Podcast Channel Panel, search for or select a show from your dashboard.

2. Click the Episodes tab.

3. Select the episode you want to restore.

4. Under More Actions, click Restore Episode.

​

To make the episode available on the Podcast Channel, it must be associated with a published show. 

​

Important: Episodes created from an RSS feed cannot be restored. Please work with your third-party hosting provider to ensure that your episodes are available.

​

Related Content

Manage Your Podcast

Availability, rights, and release date

Select the countries and regions where your podcast should be available, set the release date and time for shows, and ensure you have all required content rights.

​

PAGE UPDATES COMING SOON:

Availability, rights, and release date

Manage Your Podcast

Statuses in The Podcast Channel Connect

Learn about the status of your show, episode, channel, or subscription in The Podcast Channel Connect and what may need your attention.

Statuses used on the Podcast Channel Connector

Related Content

Content Requirements

Podcast RSS feed requirements

Review the requirements for a podcast RSS feed and see examples of correctly formatted XML tags.

Podcast RSS feed requirements

Content Requirements

Artwork requirements

Follow our technical guidelines for creating channel, subscription, and show artwork.

Artwork requirements