Glossary
RSS Feed
An RSS feed is a standardized web format that podcasts and content publishers use to distribute content to podcast apps and aggregators — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and others — from a single source.
Definition
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. For podcasters, the RSS feed is the core file that contains all episode information: titles, descriptions, audio file URLs, episode numbers, and artwork. Podcast hosting platforms (Buzzsprout, Transistor, Anchor) generate this feed automatically.
When a podcaster submits their RSS feed to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other directories, those platforms pull episode data from the feed and surface the content to listeners. New episodes appear automatically on all platforms when the RSS feed updates.
Why it matters
Your RSS feed is the canonical source of truth for your podcast. If you ever change hosting providers, you transfer your RSS feed and all your existing subscribers and platform listings follow automatically. Losing control of your RSS feed means losing your audience.
How Lynkify uses this
Lynkify Podcast Hubs import content from your RSS feed to automatically build a podcast landing page with episode listings, platform links, and fan capture. Your podcast hub stays updated as new episodes publish to your RSS feed.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need an RSS feed to start a podcast?
- Yes. Every podcast needs an RSS feed to be distributed to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other directories. Most podcast hosting platforms generate and manage your RSS feed automatically. You submit the RSS URL to each directory once and it self-updates.