Apple Podcasts invites podcasters to submit their shows for a possible feature on the app. Anyone can fill out the form here.
And while everyone can submit, that doesn't mean everyone will be selected. I wrote about sharpening your pitch and submission form here. But in this post, I'm sharing screenshots. This is a walkthrough of an example submission I put together for a fictional Well It Depends Labs podcast.
Filling Out The Apple Podcasts Pitch Form
We'll start simple. Just your name, email address, and a network (if applicable).
Next, we get into:
- What type of request is this?
- Show or Channel name
- Apple Podcasts URL
- Describe the Show
- Show Category
- Content Origin
- Show Language
In this section, I'm indicating what I'm requesting via this form. In this screenshot, I've checked both boxes: I want to pitch my podcast for a feature on Apple Podcasts AND I want to add artwork. Apple already has your cover art, but you can now (optionally) add other elements.
Apple encourages you to add those other artwork elements when submitting for a feature.
I then share my show name (exactly as it appears on Apple Podcasts), the link to the show (make sure this is the Apple link, you'd be surprised), and I describe the show.
In my description, I'm doing my best to be as different as possible from what I think other pitches sound like. The Apple editorial team gets SO many pitches every single day, so I am trying to stand out. I wrote:
Most advice for podcasters, newsletter writers, and creators falls apart the moment you ask one question: Well... it depends. This show takes the internet's loudest growth advice, tests it against real-world examples, and figures out when it actually works, when it doesn't, and what to do instead. Expect practical experiments, honest conversations with people building interesting things, and frameworks you can steal immediately. Less guru energy. More curiosity, nuance, and ideas worth trying.
Then, onto selecting my category, my content's origin, and the language. Nothing tricky there.
For the purposes of this article, we're going to skip this one, but I'm sharing the screenshot anyway to show what the options are for updating your artwork. Each of the above have specific requirements. Here are the details on those and how to upload them correctly.
In this section:
- What would you like featured?
- New Show Launch Date
- Does your show offer video on Apple Podcasts?
- Will you have a trailer?
- Trailer Drop Date
Now, we're getting specific about the feature. I'm indicating that I want to get featured as a New Show. If I had a new season out, maybe I'd check that box. There are a lot of options here. You can absolutely apply whenever an occasion arises.
I've marked my show's launch date, which, as requested in the smaller print, is at least two weeks from now. The Apple editorial team are humans, so they need time to process things. Give yourself time to submit!
Apple Podcasts recently added video on the app, so you can now indicate whether or not you're going to be publishing video alongside your podcast. That's a discussion for another day, but for the purposes of this post, I'm submitting an audio-focused podcast.
And of course, I'll have a trailer (you should too!). I then indicate the date of that trailer drop, which is also at least two weeks away.
Here, we hit:
- Pitch Details
- Requested Featuring Date
- Why did you choose this date?
Now for the pitch details. Again, in this section, I'm trying to stand out as much as possible. I'm not living under a rock: I know there are a lot of shows that touch on similar topics to mine. So I'm trying to dig in and get weird, to really show off why I think mine is different and deserves to be shown off.
In response to "please provide details (synopsis, special guests, topics, new subscription launch, other) about why audiences will want to hear this and why it should be featured on Apple Podcasts," I wrote:
*Well It Depends Labs* brings something increasingly rare to the creator economy: nuance. Rather than recycling one-size-fits-all advice, each episode examines the tradeoffs, context, and real-world examples behind the strategies creators hear every day. The show combines sharp interviews, practical takeaways, and a distinct editorial voice that encourages curiosity over certainty, making it a fresh addition to Apple's collection of podcasts that challenge listeners to think differently.
I'm then asked for the date that I'm requesting the feature. I strategically selected a week or so after the launch of my first episode, and in response to "why did you choose this date?" I wrote:
By the end of August, we'll have released our trailer, episode 1, and episode 2. We'd like to have somewhat of a library for the audience to dive into when we are showcased to Apple Podcasts users. We also want to take advantage of the new show energy that we're bringing to the table, so this feels like a sweet spot. We are also selecting this time because we have an event launching in early September that we plan to promote on the podcast, so all of the dates work in concert with one another.
Now, we get to:
- Social handles
- Your larger marketing plans
I've added my social handles, and then, in response to "please describe how this feature aligns with any off-platform marketing, media events, or press appearances (such as paid marketing, talk show appearances, TV or film Launches, etc) and how Apple Podcasts will be promoted as part of these activations," I wrote:
*Well It Depends Labs* is supported by an established creator ecosystem that reaches podcast creators across newsletters, social media, live events, and industry partnerships. Episodes are promoted through my newsletters, EarBuds Podcast Collective, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other social platforms, as well as through appearances on podcasts, speaking engagements, and creator-focused events. When promoting the show, we will direct audiences to listen on Apple Podcasts through dedicated links, social posts, and email campaigns, encouraging Apple Podcasts as the primary listening destination. Any future workshops, live events, collaborations, or media appearances related to the show will also include Apple Podcasts as the featured platform for listening and subscribing.
Now, if you've already uploaded the Full Page Show Art and the Showcase Hero Art, click "yes," and you're good to go. If you haven't and you click "not yet, but I'd like to upload it," you'll see an expanded box with instructions. If you click "no," you'll see this message:
We recommend you include Full Page Show Artwork to optimise your show for featuring on Apple Podcasts.
So... that's something to consider.
But, as with all things to consider when marketing and growing our podcasts, we have to marry what we have time for with all of the things we could possibly be doing.
When you're satisfied with your responses and have uploaded all you need to upload, you'll click "submit" and be greeted with this success message:
Thanks for submitting your feature request. We may contact you if we need more information. If you aren't selected, try again in six to eight weeks with your next request.
If you've submitted artwork to be added or updated, our design team is processing the request and will be in touch if there are any issues or adjustments needed.
Let me single out one sentence there: "If you aren't selected, try again in six to eight weeks with your next request."
So, you can absolutely try again if you don't get selected. But keep in mind:
- Change things up! Try new wording, a different angle, upgrading your artwork (if possible), adding a video angle (if possible), submitting a single episode rather than a New Show.
- Give it time! Like I wrote above, there are real people reading these pitches. So take time to hone your submission and show an improved update next time around.
- Even if you re-apply, that still doesn't guarantee selection. But that's ok! There are other ways to grow your podcast and other apps you can potentially get featured on.