Podcast SEO 101: How to Reach More Listeners in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Beyond
Why SEO Matters for Podcasters in NC (and Everywhere)
So you’ve launched a podcast. You’ve got the mic, the ideas, and the passion… but where are the listeners? In a region as creative and competitive as the Research Triangle, simply uploading your episodes isn’t enough. If you want to grow your audience, rank in search results, and get noticed beyond your existing circles, you need one thing: Podcast SEO.
This blog is your go-to starter guide for optimizing your show, especially if you're a creator based in Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, or anywhere in North Carolina. Let’s make sure your podcast isn’t just good—it’s searchable, binge-worthy, and built to grow.
What Is Podcast SEO, Really?
Podcast SEO is the strategy of making your show more discoverable through search on Google, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and beyond. It’s all about using the right keywords in your titles and descriptions, optimizing your show notes and website content, and leveraging video and transcripts for bonus visibility. A great example of this is The Mindset Mentor, a top-ranked self-improvement podcast hosted by Rob Dial. With over 1,700 bite-sized episodes filled with motivational advice and mental performance tips, the show consistently uses high-intent search terms in titles like “How to Build Confidence” and “Overcome Fear,” helping it rank higher and reach a highly targeted audience.
This isn’t just about hitting the algorithm—it’s about helping the right people find your podcast when they need it most.
Optimize Your Podcast Titles and Descriptions
Titles are everything—and not just for the algorithm. A well-crafted, descriptive title can be the difference between someone pressing play or scrolling past. Instead of vague titles like “Episode 5: Jen Talks Wellness,” be clear about what the episode actually covers. Think like The Financial Diet, a podcast and YouTube channel that nails it with titles such as “How I Budgeted on a $30K Salary” or “The Truth About Freelancing.” These are specific, emotionally compelling, and speak directly to what listeners are curious about.
When writing your episode titles, combine searchable keywords with plainspoken clarity. Don’t bury the lead—tell people exactly what they’re going to get. And don’t forget your descriptions: spend 2–3 sentences explaining the core idea of the episode, who it's for, and what value the listener will walk away with.
Podcasts should follow the same pattern. Write titles that include keywords your audience is searching for and add emotional hooks that make people click. Your descriptions matter too. Take 2–3 sentences to explain what the episode is about, who it’s for, and what listeners will walk away with.
DON’T: “Season 5 Episode 1: Talk With Jane Doe”
Unclear, not descriptive or leading
DO: “How I Budgeted on a $30K Salary”
Gets to the point, descriptive lead
Use Local SEO to Dominate Your Area
If you're looking to build a local following, start by claiming your niche geographically. Using your city name—like Charlotte, Raleigh, or Durham—in episode titles, descriptions, and even your intro helps your podcast rank higher when people search for content in your area.
Take The Charlotte Podcast, for example. They’ve built a hyperlocal brand by featuring community leaders, businesses, and events, which naturally draws in listeners from the Queen City.
You can do this too by submitting your show to local directories, which are online listings or platforms that highlight businesses, creators, and content from a specific city or region. Think of them as the digital version of a community bulletin board. Some examples include:
City-based podcast directories or creative networks (like Charlotte is Creative)
Local media outlets like INDY Week or WRAL Out & About
Neighborhood blogs, arts calendars, or small business directories run by your city or region
These platforms help connect your podcast with the people who live near you, making it easier to gain traction in your hometown before expanding outwards.
And don’t forget platforms like Eventbrite, Facebook Events, or Nextdoor. Although they aren’t traditional podcast directories, they’re still great ways to get your episodes seen if you're hosting events, promoting interviews with local figures, or covering hot regional topics.
Leverage Transcripts and Show Notes for Extra Visibility
Search engines can’t listen to your audio, but they can scan your text. That’s where transcripts and show notes come in. Including transcripts not only makes your podcast more accessible but also improves discoverability across platforms. AI tools on platforms like Spotify for Podcasters and YouTube are increasingly using transcripts to understand your content and help it appear in search results more accurately. The clearer your transcript, the easier it is for these platforms to recommend your episodes to the right listeners.
Take inspiration from shows like The Ed Mylett Show, where every episode features a detailed blog-style write-up with major takeaways and key keywords. Use tools like Otter.ai, Descript, or YouTube’s auto-captioning to generate transcripts, then pair those with SEO-rich show notes that summarize the episode, name-drop guests, and link helpful resources.
Make the Most of YouTube & Video SEO
YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, right behind Google. And it’s not just for beauty tutorials or unboxings, it’s a major hub for podcast discovery, especially among Gen Z and millennial audiences. If your show isn’t on YouTube, you’re leaving discoverability on the table.
Even uploading your podcast audio with a static image or waveform animation gives your content a searchable home on YouTube. But to really stand out, consider creating video podcasts, short vertical minisodes (10–20 minutes), or quick-cut highlight clips for Shorts, TikTok, and Reels.
Podcasts like Think Media Podcast crush this by repurposing their episodes into YouTube-ready content, complete with optimized titles, detailed descriptions, and eye-catching thumbnails. Plus, YouTube’s algorithm currently favors smaller or new creators, giving fresh channels more visibility than you’d expect. It’s not too late to jump in, and a well-optimized video presence could open your podcast up to a whole new audience.
Get Featured: Backlinks & Guesting Strategy
Collaborations are an underrated SEO superpower. When you guest on other shows or bring guests onto yours, you create a web of connections that boosts credibility and reach. Every backlink to your site or podcast page from another site improves your ranking. For example, The Skinny Confidential: Him & Her Podcast features a wide range of notable guests, and each guest typically promotes their episode via social media and their own websites, feeding valuable backlinks and shares.
To maximize this, link each guest’s site or business in your show notes and ask them to do the same for you. It’s a win-win for traffic and trust.
Quick Wins: 5 Podcast SEO Best Practices
If you’re short on time, here are five quick improvements you can make:
Use searchable keywords in your podcast and episode titles to increase discoverability. Utilize AI for keywords!
Write thoughtful, keyword-rich descriptions and show notes.
Publish transcripts for every episode.
Submit your podcast to every major platform, including niche and local directories.
Repurpose audio content into YouTube videos or short-form clips for social media.
These small tweaks can snowball into significant visibility over time.
How PSS Creative Media Can Help You Rank Higher
SEO doesn’t have to be a solo mission. At PSS Creative Media, we help podcasters across the U.S., not just in North Carolina, launch shows that are optimized from day one. From studio setup and branding to video editing, YouTube strategy, and podcast SEO consulting, we make sure every episode you release works harder for you. Whether you’re filming a solo show in Raleigh or planning a guest series in Charlotte, we’ll help you reach the right ears.
Let’s Get More Ears on Your Show
Ready to boost your podcast’s visibility and turn listeners into superfans? Book a strategy call with the team at PSS Creative Media. We’ll help you get seen, get heard, and grow fast.
