Apple threat: no episode numbers in your podcast titles, or else

• Apple has sent an email to podcasters reminding them to ensure decent-looking metadata. They particularly don’t want spammy-looking names or authors, and no episode numbers in titles. There’s a tag for that. “These practices could result in your show being rejected or removed from Apple Podcasts,” they warn. They have, though, unveiled a mechanism to resubmit podcast feeds if required.

  • Our podcast pages attempt to spot some of the more obvious transgressions; just search for your podcast and see what our system complains about. See the technical advice at the bottom of this obscure podcast which uses episode numbers. Or this one. Or, this one. Good luck, Apple. In fact, these are all fine - because there’s a different tag to use. Check back tomorrow for more details.

• Pocket Casts now has a skill for the Amazon Alexa smart speaker. The company is particularly proud of “Alexa, ask Pocket Casts to play my Up Next”, which plays what you were last playing in the app, and your list of upcoming podcasts.

• Google speakers have voice integration with Google Podcasts, of course; “Hey, Google, resume my podcast” will continue listening to whatever it is that you were listening to on the app on your phone. Google Podcasts disappeared last week from Android Auto; then it reappeared; now it’s disappeared again. The good folk of Reddit aren’t happy.

  
  This link is no longer available, as at Aug 11 2023

• Transistor, a podcast host, has published an article on how to make money from your podcast. Just in time for Bloomberg, who asks: Everybody makes podcasts. But can anyone make them profitable?

• Tom Webster from Edison Research appears on the latest episode of Spreaker Live Show, talking about the upcoming Infinite Dial data release and free webinar.

• Podchaser has interviewed Dan Carlin.

  
  This link is no longer available, as at Aug 11 2023

Podcasts

Welcome to Day One is a brand new podcast with stories of regional entrepreneurs and startups from across Australia, hosted by Adam Spencer. The aim is to demonstrate their grit and diversity.