While podcast platforms like Spotify and Apple provide avenues for discovery, much of your potential listening audience starts out searching on Google.
Ranking high in search engines and getting found by fans seeking out relevant topics hinges on optimizing your podcast for SEO.
Follow this 5-point podcast SEO checklist to skyrocket visibility and listenership:
1. Optimize Video Titles With Keywords
Insert a target main keyword your audience searches plus related secondary terms into episode names.
Keep it natural, not spammy:
GOOD: Training Your Dog to Stop Barking at Strangers
BAD: Dog training stop barking strangers now podcast
2. Write Detailed Video Descriptions
Expand on titles with a complete episode synopsis incorporating additional semantic keywords and long-tail phrases fans may use around that subject.
3. Tag Relevant Terms Thoroughly
Tagging allows you to assign multiple terms that categorize that episode’s content so it surfaces in more searches. Revisit older episodes to tag topics you now cover but initially missed.
4. Transcribe Audio
Transcribing your audio into text enables that content to be indexed by Google. Even if you don’t publish full transcripts, use automated services to generate docs search engines can parse.
5. Publish Shownotes With Links
Insert links within shownotes back to reliable sources, studies or sites mentioned to boost authority. Also link out to other helpful related resources for listeners.
Following this SEO checklist positions your podcast to rank for a greater volume of listener searches.
Have you tried any podcast SEO strategies that moved the needle for discovering your show? Please share what delivered results!
