In this guide
Record and edit your first episode, create a show in Spotify for Creators, upload the audio and publish it. If your show already has another host, follow that host’s Spotify submission steps instead of creating a duplicate show.
To start a podcast on Spotify, prepare an episode, sign in to Spotify for Creators, create a new show and upload the finished audio. Add the show and episode details, verify your account and publish or schedule the episode. If you host with Spotify, the show is made available on Spotify; check the live episode and its sound after publishing.
If your podcast already has a host, use its instructions to submit your existing show to Spotify and claim it rather than creating a second show. Spotify describes both choices in its show setup guide. Menus and availability can change by device and account.
1. Plan and record your first episode
Choose a clear topic and audience, a show title and a format you can sustain. An outline with an introduction, a few main points and a closing is enough for a first recording. Decide whether you will publish an episode or a short trailer first, and prepare artwork and a description that explain the show accurately.
Record in a quiet space, choose the intended microphone in your app and listen to a short test before starting. Keep your original files and have guests agree to the recording and its use. For a practical setup for solo or remote interviews, see how to record a podcast; an iPhone option is covered in the iPhone podcast guide.
2. Edit and export the audio
Arrange the recording in an editor, remove distracting mistakes, balance the voices and check the beginning and ending. If you add music or sound effects, use material you have the necessary rights to share. Keep a backup of the unedited recording and listen to the actual exported file.
Spotify says its hosted audio uploads accept MP3, M4A and WAV in mono or stereo. Check its current audio publishing instructions for format and upload details. Other destinations may have different requirements; for editing and final loudness checks, see how to edit podcast audio.
Spotify no longer offers its former built-in episode recording and editing tools; use an editor or its documented integration to prepare the episode before uploading. See Spotify’s creation tools update for the current distinction.
3. Create a new show in Spotify for Creators
- Sign in to Spotify for Creators with your Spotify account. On the web, use the avatar menu and select Add a new show, then choose the option to create a new show. New-account prompts may differ.
- Enter the requested show information, such as its name, description and artwork. Check spelling and make the description useful to a first-time listener.
- Complete any account verification and setup prompts. Spotify requires account verification before publishing a first episode.
This route creates a new show hosted with Spotify. If you already have a podcast elsewhere, see the existing-host path below before proceeding. Spotify’s account guide describes the new-show and existing-show options.
4. Upload and publish an episode
- Open your show on the web and select New episode → Select a file, then choose the finished audio. On the mobile app, Spotify documents Podcast → + → Select a file.
- Add an episode title and description, complete the content checks, and review optional details such as episode number and artwork.
- Choose to publish now or schedule a future time, then complete the publishing prompts. For a trailer, select the trailer episode type in Additional details.
- After publication, open the episode on Spotify and listen to the start, a transition and the end. Check the title, artwork, description and any links, then share the show link.
See Spotify’s current audio upload guide and trailer instructions if the interface differs from your device.
Already have a podcast host?
If your show is hosted elsewhere, find your existing RSS feed in your host’s dashboard and follow that host’s submission instructions for Spotify. Some hosts offer a direct distribution option; Spotify lists host-specific instructions. Once it is on Spotify, you can claim the show in Spotify for Creators using the existing feed or show URL and the required verification process.
Claiming a show lets you manage Spotify-specific features; it does not automatically move your hosting or episode files. Avoid creating a new duplicate show simply to access analytics. If you actually want to change hosts, follow the old and new hosts’ migration and redirect instructions separately.
How to distribute beyond Spotify
For a Spotify-hosted show, Spotify says an RSS feed is created after the first episode is published. To distribute elsewhere, open Settings → Availability → RSS Distribution in Spotify for Creators and enable the feed, then submit it to each destination yourself. See Spotify’s RSS instructions for current steps.
Enabling a public feed makes the email address in that feed visible; other directories may also discover the feed without a direct submission. Check the implications before enabling it. Review each listening platform’s submission and audio requirements rather than assuming the Spotify listing automatically creates every other listing.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| Audio will not upload | Play the file locally, confirm a supported format and mono or stereo layout, and retry on a stable connection. Consult Spotify’s current upload guide for browser and file troubleshooting. |
| Cannot publish | Check account verification, the required show and episode fields, content checks and whether the episode is scheduled for later. |
| No RSS distribution option | Spotify says its hosted feed is created after the first published episode. If you use another host, obtain the feed from that host. |
| Voice is too quiet or noisy | Return to the original project, identify the problem and make a new export. Aggressive processing can damage speech; compare the same passage before and after. |
Common questions
Can I start a podcast on Spotify for free?
Spotify describes hosting and distributing a show through Spotify for Creators as free. Your recording equipment, other services and optional features can have their own costs; check current terms before choosing them.
Do I need Spotify to host my podcast?
No. A podcast hosted elsewhere can be submitted to Spotify through its host’s supported workflow, then claimed in Spotify for Creators. You do not need to move hosting just to list it.
Does Spotify publish my show to Apple Podcasts automatically?
Spotify says Spotify-hosted shows need their RSS feed enabled and submitted to other listening platforms individually. Follow each platform’s current submission instructions.
Can I use copyrighted music in my episode?
Only use audio you have the necessary permission to include and distribute. Having access to a song in a listening app does not by itself provide permission to include it in a podcast.