--- title: "Creating a podcast on beehiiv" updated: 2026-04-08 --- # Creating a podcast on beehiiv Native podcast hosting is built directly into your beehiiv dashboard, giving you everything you need to launch and grow your podcast in one place. You can create shows, upload episodes, generate an RSS feed, and distribute your content to major listening platforms, all on beehiiv. This article walks you through creating your first show, publishing your first episode, and submitting your podcast to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other listening platforms. For information on importing an existing podcast to beehiiv, see [Importing your podcast to beehiiv](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/39460221594647-importing-your-podcast-to-beehiiv). --- ## Podcast plan limits The number of shows and episodes available to you depends on your beehiiv plan. | Plan | Shows | Episodes | | ---------- | --------- | ----------- | | Launch | 1 | 1 per month | | Scale | 1 | 4 per month | | Max | 3 | Unlimited | | Enterprise | Unlimited | Unlimited | --- ## How to create a podcast show A show is the top-level container for your podcast. Each show has its own RSS feed, artwork, description, and episode library. You can have multiple shows under a single publication, depending on your plan. 1. From the left panel, go to **Podcasts**. 2. If this is your first show, click **Create new podcast**. If you already have an existing show, click **Create show**. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039503895) 3. The podcast details will open for you to fill in. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (\*). ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460068754839) To create a show, add the basic details: - **Show title:** Enter a title for your show. This is the name listeners will see in podcast apps. - **Show URL:** Enter the URL for your show using lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores. This must be unique and can be edited later. - **Description:** Enter a short summary of what your podcast is about. - **Cover art:** Upload a square image in JPEG or PNG format, ideally between 1400 x 1400 px and 3000 x 3000 px. - **Author:** Your publication name loads here automatically. You can replace it with something else if needed. - **Copyright:** Your publication name loads here automatically. You can replace it with something else if needed. - **Language:** Select the language your podcast is in. - **Show type:** Select **Episodic** for standalone episodes or **Serial** for episodes meant to be listened to in order. - **Explicit content warning:** Toggle this on if your show contains explicit content. This will mark your show as explicit on your beehiiv website and across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.   4. In the **Categories** section, start with the **Primary category** and select the category that best fits your show. You can optionally add a **Secondary** and **Tertiary** category to improve discoverability. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039507863) 5. (Optional) In the **Premium podcast** section, toggle on **Premium podcast** to restrict access to paid subscribers only, then select which subscription tiers have access. > **Tech Note** > > The RSS feed is set to public by default. This section is only available if you have at least one active [paid subscription tier](https://www.beehiiv.com/support/article/23080261008279-how-to-set-up-and-use-paid-subscription-tiers) set up in your publication. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039508375) 6. Review your podcast show selections and click **Save show** in the top right corner. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039509655) 7. You'll return to your Podcasts dashboard where your new show will be listed. Click the arrow next to **Edit details** to access additional options: **Edit details**, **Archive**, and **Delete show**. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039510423) > **Note** > > Shows stay in draft until you publish your first episode. The RSS feed is available under the **Distribution** tab immediately after saving. --- ## How to create an episode Episodes are the individual audio files within a show. Once you have a show, you can create, schedule, and manage all of your episodes from within it. 1. From the left panel, go to **Podcast** and open your show. 2. Click **New episode**. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460068760855) 3. You’ll be prompted to upload an audio file in MP3 or WAV format (500 MB max file size). ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039512599) 4. After your file upload is successful, click the **Next** button in the top right corner.  ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039513751) 5. The episode details will appear alongside a preview of how the page will look.  ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039514647) Fill in the episode details: - **Episode title:** Enter the title for your episode. This is shown in podcast apps and on your website.  - **Show notes:** Enter a description for your episode. Rich text formatting is supported, including bold, italic, and links. However, headers are not currently supported in show notes. - **Cover art** (optional): Upload a square image for this episode. If none is uploaded, your show artwork is used by default. - **Episode type:** Select **Full**, **Trailer**, or **Bonus**. Only one trailer episode is allowed per show. - **Explicit content warning** (optional): Toggle this on if your episode contains explicit content. - **Show transcript and captions** (optional): Toggle this on to allow subscribers to view an auto-generated transcript and closed captions on the episode page. - **Season number** and **Episode number** (optional): Used by podcast apps that support seasons. - **Custom display date** (optional): Shows a different date on your website and in podcast directories without changing the actual publish time.   6. (Optional) On the **Preview** panel, you can select **Replace audio** to swap the current file, or **Edit in website builder** to customize the Podcast page (updates are applied to all podcast episodes). **![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039515671)** If replacing audio, click the **X** next to the current file, upload a new one, and click **Replace audio**. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039517207) 7. When your episode is ready, click **Schedule** in the top right corner.   ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039517591) 8. Choose how to publish it: either **Publish now** or **Schedule for later**.  After publishing enough episodes, a helpful chart will recommend the best time based on your past download history. ![PD.5.png](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39473741372951) Select a publishing option:  - **Publish now:** The episode goes live immediately. Your RSS feed updates and podcast apps will pick it up on their next sync. - **Schedule for later:** Click the calendar icon and select a future date and time for the episode to publish automatically, then click **Schedule**. > **Note** > > Podcast episodes and newsletter posts are published independently — publishing an episode does not send a newsletter, or vice versa. To reference a podcast episode in a newsletter, create a post and include a link to the published episode page. 9. After publishing or scheduling, you'll return to your Podcasts dashboard, where your episode will be listed under the **Episodes** tab. Click the **3 dots** **icon** to access options to edit or delete the episode. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460039519383) --- ## How to submit your podcast to listening platforms You can find your RSS Podcast Feed URL under the **Distribution** tab for your show. Click **Copy** to add it to your clipboard.  Your RSS feed URL follows this example format: ```auto https://rss.beehiiv.com/podcasts/show-slug-264c-h801-ef7-bjk.xml ``` ![PD.04.png](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39470891034903) > **Pro Tip** > > Submit your RSS feed to Spotify and Apple Podcasts before publishing your first episode. That way your show is ready to be found the moment you go live. If you do publish first, a reminder banner will appear in your dashboard prompting you to complete distribution setup. --- ## Connecting to Spotify **Spotify for Podcasters** is a free platform where you can submit and manage your podcast on Spotify. Once your beehiiv RSS feed is live, you can submit it directly through their platform. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39469868516119) 1. From the **Distribution** tab of your Podcasts dashboard, click **Manually set up** next to Spotify. 2. Copy your RSS feed URL and go to [podcasters.spotify.com](https://podcasters.spotify.com). Sign in or create an account. 3. Select Add your podcast and choose I have an RSS feed. 4. Paste your beehiiv RSS feed URL and follow the steps to verify and submit. 5. Once approved, copy your Spotify show URL and paste it into your show's **Distribution** tab in beehiiv. --- ## Connecting to Apple Podcasts Getting your show listed on **Apple Podcasts** requires a review before it goes live, which can take 24 to 48 hours. beehiiv gives you two ways to connect: a quick sync directly from your dashboard, or a manual setup through Apple Podcasts Connect. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39469857738135) ### Sync with Apple Podcasts (recommended): 1. From the **Distribution** tab of your Podcasts dashboard, click **Sync with Apple Podcasts**. 2. Agree to Apple Podcasts' Terms of Service and Content Guidelines. 3. Click **Sync with Apple Podcasts** to complete the connection. ### Manual setup: 1. Copy your RSS feed URL from the **Distribution** tab. 2. Go to [podcastsconnect.apple.com](https://podcastsconnect.apple.com) and sign in with your Apple ID. 3. Click **+** to add a new show and paste your RSS feed URL. 4. Apple will validate and review your feed. This process can take 24 to 48 hours. 5. Once approved, copy your Apple Podcasts show URL and paste it into your show's **Distribution** tab in beehiiv. --- ## Other podcast platforms Your beehiiv RSS feed is compatible with any podcast directory that accepts RSS submissions. Below are some popular platforms and how they connect. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39469868520471) - **YouTube:** Click **Manually set up** and follow the steps in the popup. If you already have a YouTube channel, you can paste either your channel URL or your podcast playlist URL when prompted. Once connected, if a matching YouTube video is found for a podcast episode, an embedded YouTube player will automatically appear on the episode page on your beehiiv website, alongside links to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other listening platforms. - **Pocket Casts:** Click **Manually set up** and paste your Pocket Casts URL to make your show discoverable. - **Overcast:** Click **Manually set up** and paste your Overcast URL to make your show discoverable. - **Castro:** Becomes available once your show is live on Apple Podcasts. Once connected, click **Manually set up** and paste your Castro URL to make your show discoverable. - **RadioPublic:** Becomes available once your show is live on Apple Podcasts. Once connected, click **Manually set up** and paste your RadioPublic URL. Allow a few extra days for your show to appear. --- ## Frequently asked questions about beehiiv podcasts **Do I need a published website to use podcasts?** No. You can create shows, upload episodes, and have a live RSS feed without a published beehiiv website. However, episode pages and podcast website blocks require a published beehiiv website (non-legacy sites). **What audio file formats are supported?** beehiiv supports MP3 and WAV. Audio files are processed automatically after upload. MP3 is the most universally compatible format and is recommended for most use cases. **Can I have multiple shows under one beehiiv publication?** Yes, depending on your plan. Max plans support up to 3 shows and Enterprise plans support unlimited shows. See the plan limits section above for a full breakdown. **Can I change my RSS feed URL after setting up distribution?** The RSS feed URL for a show can only be changed if you are moving your podcast hosting from beehiiv to another podcasting solution. If you move your podcast to another host, you can enter your new RSS feed URL by clicking the **gear icon** in the **RSS feed** section of the **Distribution** tab. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460068769175) You’ll be able to set up a 301 redirect for your existing subscribers from here. Enter the redirect URL and click **Save**. ![](https://beehiivhelp.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/39460068769687)