Podcasting
What is Podcast RSS Feed?
A podcast RSS feed is a standardized file that lists a show's episodes and metadata, which apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify read to distribute the podcast to listeners.
The RSS feed is the backbone of podcasting. Your podcast host generates it; you submit it once to each directory; and from then on, publishing a new episode updates the feed and the directories pull it automatically.
The feed carries your show's title, artwork, description, categories, and each episode's audio file and notes. Getting this metadata right matters for discovery within podcast apps.
Because you own the feed (via your host), you control distribution — a reason to choose a reliable host and keep the feed portable.
Related terms
Back to the full glossary.