Claim ownership of your podcast with Apple Podcasts

Some podcast hosts allow you to automatically distribute your podcast to apps like Google, Spotify and Apple. But if this is done by the podcast host, how do you still get access to the app's dashboard? By claiming ownership of your podcast you gain control over how your podcast is displayed and have access to podcast statistics. Should you decide to move to a different host, for example, it is important to submit the correct RSS feed to Google, Spotify, Apple or any of the other apps. 

Note: If you've chosen to distribute your podcast yourself, you don't need to go through these steps. This is because you've already registered your podcast with the distribution apps and have therefore already claimed it.

How do you claim ownership to a podcast that has been distributed by the host? Here is a step-by-step plan for Apple Podcasts.

Tip: First of all, check which e-mail address is linked to your RSS feed. You may need it in case Apple wants to send you verification codes. You can check the linked e-mail address in your in your host's dashboard menu.  You can also open the RSS feed in a browser to see which e-mail address is linked.

Claiming ownership with Apple Podcasts

1. Create an Apple ID (if you don't have one already)
2. Login to Apple Podcasts Connect
3. Scroll down to the footer and select 'contact us'

4. Choose topic 'other' and mention at least the following in the message:

- Your Apple Podcasts show URL

- The podcast's RSS feed

- Your Apple Account ID (with which you want to claim ownership). You can find this under 'Details pane' in the Account section.

And indicate that you want to claim the podcast.

After 1 or 2 days, Apple will send you an email containing an authorization code, which you must place in your RSS feed (in the keyword's or copyright field). You cannot do this yourself, but you can ask your current host.

When you receive confirmation from the host that the code has been placed, you can email Apple back with notification that the code has been posted to the RSS feed.

After Apple confirms that ownership has been claimed, the podcast show will automatically appear in your Apple Podcasts Connect account.

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