The audio reality: podcast SEO determines listener discovery

Podcast SEO is the difference between shouting into the void and actually being heard. It’s all about making sure your episodes show up where (and when) people are searching for them.

Launching a podcast without SEO is like hosting a radio show in the middle of nowhere—no matter how great your content is, no one’s tuning in. If your listener numbers aren’t where you want them to be, chances are you’re missing some key optimization steps.

Sure, you could hope for word-of-mouth magic, rely on social media, or cross your fingers that Apple Podcasts randomly pushes your show. But wouldn’t it be smarter to take control of your discoverability?

That’s where Podcast SEO comes in. By understanding the basics, you’ll be able to:

• Make your episodes easier to find on Google, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify
• Attract more listeners without spending a fortune on ads
• Build a loyal audience that keeps coming back for more

Let’s break it down.

Podcast SEO explained (no-fluff)

Here’s the essential breakdown of podcast SEO without the industry jargon or unnecessary complexity. If you’re looking for the straightforward, actionable version that actually delivers results, you’re in the right place.

WTF are we talking about here? (definition)

Podcast SEO involves optimizing podcast episodes, titles, descriptions, and metadata to improve visibility in search engines and podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

What’s this  trying to accomplish? (goals)

Increase podcast discoverability, attract a larger audience, improve rankings in podcast directories, and drive traffic to the associated website.

What actually works? (best practices)

• Use keyword-rich titles and descriptions
• Optimize show notes
• Transcribe episodes
• Create a dedicated podcast website
• Submit to multiple directories
• Build backlinks

Where do most people get it wrong? (common mistakes)

• Ignoring keyword optimization
• Not using transcripts
• Inconsistent publishing
• Neglecting show notes
• Failing to promote episodes across multiple platforms

When should you focus on podcast SEO? (use cases)

Ideal for brands, businesses, and individuals looking to grow a podcast audience, improve organic reach, and drive engagement through audio content.

How much will this move the needle? (impact on rankings)

Medium impact (affects both search engine and podcast directory rankings).

How long until I see some movement? (timeframe for results)

Mid to long-term (consistent optimization and audience growth take time).

What should be in your SEO toolkit? (tools + software)

• Chartable
• Podchaser
• Google Podcasts Manager
• Apple Podcast Connect
• Descript (for transcription)
• Buzzsprout
• Libsyn
• Ahrefs (for keyword research)

How do you know if it’s working? (metrics to track)

• Downloads per episode
• Listener retention
• Backlinks to show notes
• Search rankings for podcast-related keywords
• Click-through rates from search results

Who’s crushing it with podcast SEO? (examples of successful implementation)

The Marketing School Podcast (by Neil Patel & Eric Siu) effectively uses keyword-rich titles and transcriptions, and Smart Passive Income Podcast (by Pat Flynn) ranks well due to strong SEO practices.

Who should you be listening to? (experts)

• Neil Patel
• Pat Flynn
• Daniel J. Lewis (from The Audacity to Podcast)

Is this something you can DIY? (difficulty level)

Intermediate (requires knowledge of SEO and podcast distribution strategies).

What’s this going to set you back? (cost considerations)

Low to medium (basic SEO can be free, but tools, hosting, and transcriptions may require investment).

Podcast SEO: Where to go from here?

You’ve got the podcast SEO basics down, but the search landscape changes faster than Google can update its algorithm.

Stay ahead with deep dives from the Loganix blog:

Or if you’d rather spend your time growing your business instead, get in touch with our team. We’ve helped hundreds of businesses just like yours climb the rankings with proven strategies.