For creators, Apple Podcasts has announced new RSS feed requirements coming in 2023. The new back-end technical changes include the removal of the “owner tag” to cut down on spam, the addition of a unique identifier (GUID) tag, and more.
Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed is a file that lists all the updates from an app or website. It makes it easy for users to stay up to date with new content.
New changes coming to Apple Podcasts will cut down on spam and more starting in 2023
Here are all the changes coming to Apple Podcasts in 2023 for creators:
- Drops support for “owner tag” and its contact information in the podcast RSS feed like creators’ email addresses. It will cut down on spam emails creators receive. Instead, the company will require them to submit shows through their Apple ID.
The owner tag (<itunes:owner>) and its contact information, including email, will no longer be recommended. Apple requires creators have an active Apple ID to submit a show, and users designated with an Admin role in Apple Podcasts Connect will be contacted using the email associated with their Apple ID as needed. Creators can also add an email address for each show in Apple Podcasts Connect.
- Adds support for GUID (globally unique identifier) tag for RSS feed. Creators’ hosting providers must generate unique GUID tags for each episode of their shows for Apple Podcasts to process new content because duplicate GUIDs will not be processed.
- Removes support for Atom feeds for new shows and remaining shows will not be updated.
- Updates crawling process for hosting providers.
The Apple Podcasts RSS feed crawler will start reading and accepting ETag (HTTP 1.1) or Last Modified Date (HTTP 1.0) headers. Using these headers will limit the amount of data that our crawler will need to request if no changes have been detected.
- Changes the review process of new shows. When new shows will be submitted to Apple Podcasts, they will be available in the app’s catalog upon clicking Add for creators to use the shows’ URL for promotional purposes. However, the review process of new shows and subscriptions will take up to 24 hours for them to appear in search and recommendations.
Previously, Apple Podcasts introduced new “Delegate Delivery” feature that added support for third-party hosting providers. The company explained that the new feature was designed to improve creators’ experience on the platform by reducing operational tasks for podcast subscriptions so that they can focus on making and marketing their work.
