How to Upload Your Podcast to Spotify for Free [BEGINNERS GUIDE 2024]

“Hey, Veronica! How can I make my podcast show up on the Spotify app?”

You got it!

Uploading your podcast to Spotify is super easy.

And we’re going to do it together (because that’s how I like it, I don’t like to do things alone).

 It’s free! You don’t need a credit card to sign up.

Go to podcasters.spotify.com and hit “Get started.”

Then, you’ll be prompted to choose between 3 options depending on where you are in your journey as a podcast creator:

• Start a podcast from scratch

• Switch to Spotify for Creators if you already have a podcast hosted somewhere else 

• Create an account with Spotify for Creators to access some of the features and get more detailed analytics about your show

But for this guide, we’re going to choose the “I want to Start a Podcast” option.  

There, you’ll be prompted to:

• Create an account with Spotify if you don’t have one already

• Or sign into your Spotify account if you already have an account, you can use the same credentials or your Google account to sign in 

I already have an account with Spotify for Creators for our podcast Content Jefe, so I will log in using my credentials. 

Then, it’s going to show you that you’re logged in to Spotify for Creators (formerly known as Anchor).

And if at this point, you’re wondering, “Why am I not uploading my podcast directly to the Spotify app?” that’s a very good question! 

When you have a podcast, you need a podcast hosting service. It’s a service where you upload your MP3 files, podcast cover, and other information about your podcast. From your podcast host, you also set the automatic distribution for your podcast to Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Spotify acquired Anchor in 2019. The creator tools were later branded Spotify for Podcasters and are now Spotify for Creators.

This is why you have to create an account with Spotify with Podcasters and upload your podcast there so your podcast can stream on Spotify. 

You may see this screen if this is your first time logging into your Spotify for Creators account.

You want to click “Continue to the App.”

This will take you inside Spotify for Creators.

Spotify for Creators will send you an email verification, and then you’re ready to upload your first episode.

Inside your account dashboard, click “Let’s do it” under Make your first podcast episode. Or you can go to the “Episodes” tab and click “Create Episode.”

You’ll be prompted to upload the audio file of your podcast episode.

And if you’re like, “Uh, Veronica, I don’t have a podcast.” you can check this out:

Click “Create with Riverside” under “Need to build an episode?”

But wait chat, don’t rush to press “record” and publish your first episode of nonsense. 

This is your first podcast, and I want you to make it just right! We don’t want to put caca on Spotify. 

If you thought your girl would push you into recording a podcast without any instructions on making a podcast that sounds amazing, will grow your audience, and will make you money, YOU’RE WRONG! 

1. [VIDEO] Looking to Start a Podcast on Your Phone? Spotify CANCELS Smartphone Podcasting // How to Record a Video Podcast on Riverside.fm

2. [VIDEO] Record a Video Podcast With Your iPhone // Video Podcast Setup for Beginners

You can also record your podcast like a professional podcaster using a good-quality microphone and headphones in a sound-treated area. 

For demonstration purposes, I will record an episode for Content Jefe to show you the uploading process.

Look at me podcasting.

By the way, don’t forget to check out the demo video podcast episode here.  

Now that we have an episode, we can move on to step 2: uploading. 

Uploading your podcast is pretty easy. You can click the “Select a file” button or drag and drop your files.

Spotify for Creators supports audio files, and check this out: Spotify for Creators also supports video files (aha) (umhu yes) 

Yes, you can upload the video files of your video podcast so users can watch and listen to your video podcast on Spotify. How cool is that?! 

1. Episode title

2. Episode description

3. Episode type, is it a trailer or a regular episode

4. Episode and season number 

I can also add an individual cover for the episode. Check out 2 examples of episode cover art I created for Content Jefe on Spotify:

After I have uploaded all my assets, we are ready for step 3: posting and distribution to Spotify. 

And this is the EASY part. 

When you hit publish, your podcast will automatically be distributed to Spotify without you doing anything else. 

So, you can either go ahead and hit publish now, or you can schedule the episode to be published later. But I’m just going to publish it right now. Because why not?

After hitting publish, your episode will be automatically distributed to Spotify. 

Let’s check! 

And here it is! We did it. My latest episode of Content Jefe is live on Spotify.

YAY!

Spotify is a listening platform for music, podcasts, and other audio. Use Spotify for Creators to publish and manage your show.

Me: (And now I’m about to cancel my Audible membership). 

Spotify wants to become the only place you go for your audio entertainment. And NOW is the time to jump on that train. 

1. Publishing on Spotify gives your audience another place to find and follow your show.

2. Spotify is easy to use.

3. Great features for finding new shows. This means that your podcast will be suggested to other podcast listeners on the platform. 

For example, inside the app, they have a podcast swipe-up feature that recommends shows to Spotify users. It works just like TikTok or IG Reels: it recommends episodes from shows they follow and introduces new shows based on user behavior.

And that’s what you want. You want your show to be in front of new audiences. 

BONUS BENEFIT: 

1. Spotify for Creators also has great resources to help you understand your audience and grow your show. 

Uploading your podcast to Spotify is not only super EASY but also opens doors to a vast audience. 

By following these 3 simple steps, you've made your podcast accessible, tapping into a platform that's continually expanding its reach and enhancing its features for podcast discovery. 

With Spotify for Creators, you not only distribute your content effortlessly but also gain access to valuable analytics and resources to help you understand and engage with your audience effectively. So, what are you waiting for?