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Podcasting 2.0: Reclaiming podcasting for creators
Podcasting 2.0 is an open-source initiative to advance podcasting technology through new RSS namespace extensions. It enables features like streaming payments, enhanced chapters, transcripts, and more - all while keeping podcasting open and decentralized.
Dispatch is proud to offer complete Podcasting 2.0 support, giving you access to cutting-edge features that most podcast hosts don't even know exist.
Podcasting 2.0 Namespace
<podcast:value>
<podcast:transcript>
<podcast:chapters>
<podcast:person>
<podcast:location>
<podcast:soundbite>
<podcast:funding>
+ 20 more tags...
All supported by Dispatch out of the box.
The Origin Story
How Podcasting 2.0 began
In August 2020, two podcasting pioneers came together to address a growing concern: the increasing centralization of podcasting by big tech platforms. Adam Curry, often called "The Podfather" for helping create podcasting in 2004, and Dave Jones, a software developer and podcast enthusiast, launched the Podcasting 2.0 initiative.
Their vision was simple but ambitious: extend the RSS specification that powers podcasting with new features that would keep podcasting open, decentralized, and creator-friendly. Rather than waiting for Apple or Spotify to dictate the future, they put the power back in the hands of podcasters and developers.
The initiative operates through open collaboration. New features are proposed, discussed, and refined by a community of developers, podcast hosts, and app makers. Once consensus is reached, the features become part of the official podcast namespace specification.
The Founders
Meet the visionaries behind Podcasting 2.0
Adam Curry
Co-founder, Podcasting 2.0
Adam Curry is a media personality, entrepreneur, and technology innovator. As a former MTV VJ in the 1980s and 90s, he transitioned to the internet early, becoming one of the pioneers of podcasting in 2004. Along with Dave Winer, he developed the technical infrastructure that made podcasting possible, including the RSS enclosure specification.
Adam hosts the No Agenda Show with John C. Dvorak, one of the longest-running podcasts in history, and Podcasting 2.0, where new features are discussed and demonstrated live.
Dave Jones
Co-founder, Podcasting 2.0 & Podcast Index
Dave Jones is a software developer and the technical architect behind Podcasting 2.0. He created and maintains Podcast Index, the open podcast directory that serves as the backbone of the Podcasting 2.0 ecosystem.
Dave leads the development of the podcast namespace specification, coordinates with app developers, and ensures that Podcasting 2.0 features work seamlessly across the ecosystem. His work on Podcast Index provides a free, open alternative to proprietary podcast directories.
The Open Directory
Podcast Index: The backbone of Podcasting 2.0
Podcast Index is a free, open podcast directory that catalogs millions of podcasts and serves as the foundation for Podcasting 2.0 apps and services.
Unlike proprietary directories controlled by Apple or Spotify, Podcast Index is community-funded and maintains a commitment to keeping podcasting open. It provides:
- Free API access for developers to build podcast apps
- Namespace tag support for all Podcasting 2.0 features
- Rapid indexing of new podcasts and episodes
- No editorial gatekeeping - podcasts aren't removed for content
4.5M+
Podcasts Indexed
180M+
Episodes
100+
Apps Using API
Dispatch podcasts are automatically indexed by Podcast Index for maximum discoverability.
Namespace Features
What Podcasting 2.0 enables
The podcast namespace adds powerful new capabilities to your RSS feed. Here are the major features Dispatch supports.
-
Value4Value (V4V) Game Changer
-
Value4Value revolutionizes podcast monetization by enabling listeners to stream Bitcoin payments (via the Lightning Network) directly to podcasters in real-time. No middlemen, no platform fees, no minimum thresholds.
- Streaming sats - Get paid per minute of listening
- Boostagrams - Receive tips with attached messages
- Split payments - Automatically share revenue with co-hosts and guests
-
Enhanced Chapters
-
Go beyond basic chapter markers. Podcasting 2.0 chapters support images, URLs, and rich metadata that podcast apps can display during playback.
- Chapter images - Show artwork for each segment
- Chapter links - Deep link to products, articles, or resources
- JSON chapters file - Easy to create and update separately from audio
-
Transcripts
-
Embed transcripts directly in your podcast feed. Supporting apps can display synchronized text, enable search within episodes, and improve accessibility.
- Multiple formats - SRT, VTT, JSON, or plain text
- Speaker labels - Identify who's speaking
- SEO benefits - Search engines can index your content
-
Person Tags
-
Give proper credit to everyone involved in your podcast. Person tags let you identify hosts, guests, editors, and other contributors with their photos and links.
- Role-based - Host, guest, editor, producer, etc.
- Per-episode guests - Tag different guests on each episode
- Discoverable - Find other shows featuring the same people
-
Soundbites
-
Highlight the best moments of your episodes. Soundbites mark specific clips that apps can feature as previews or shareable snippets.
- Episode previews - Let listeners sample before committing
- Social sharing - Generate clips for social media
- Multiple per episode - Highlight several great moments
-
Location Tags
-
Geotag your podcast or individual episodes. Perfect for travel podcasts, local news, or any content tied to specific places.
- Show location - Where your podcast is based
- Episode location - Where each episode was recorded or is about
- OSM integration - Uses OpenStreetMap for location data
More Podcasting 2.0 Tags We Support
Locked
Verify podcast ownership
Funding
Link to donation pages
Trailer
Mark trailer episodes
License
Specify content license
Alternate Enclosure
Multiple audio formats
GUID
Unique podcast identifier
Medium
Audio, video, or music
Season/Episode
Extended season data
Growing Ecosystem
Apps supporting Podcasting 2.0
A growing number of podcast apps support Podcasting 2.0 features. Your listeners using these apps will get the enhanced experience.
Fountain
iOS, Android
Full V4VPodverse
iOS, Android, Web
Full V4VCurioCaster
Android
Full V4VCastamatic
iOS
Full V4VPodcast Guru
iOS, Android
ChaptersPocketCasts
iOS, Android, Web
ChaptersOvercast
iOS
ChaptersThe Big Picture
Why Podcasting 2.0 matters
- Keeping podcasting open and decentralized
- As Spotify and Apple grow more dominant, there's a risk that podcasting becomes as centralized as music streaming. Podcasting 2.0 ensures that anyone can build podcast apps, anyone can host podcasts, and no single company controls the ecosystem.
- Direct creator-to-listener monetization
- Value4Value lets creators receive support directly from listeners without platform cuts, ad middlemen, or minimum payout thresholds. It's a sustainable model that aligns incentives between creators and their audience.
- Innovation through open standards
- Rather than waiting for Apple or Spotify to add features, anyone can propose and implement new capabilities. The community decides what gets adopted, and the best ideas win regardless of who proposed them.
- Future-proofing your podcast
- Using Podcasting 2.0 tags today means your podcast is ready for whatever apps and features emerge tomorrow. It's backward compatible with all existing podcast apps while enabling new experiences in supporting apps.
Learn More
Podcasting 2.0 Resources
Podcasting2.org
The official Podcasting 2.0 website with news, resources, and links to the community.
Visit siteNamespace Specification
The technical documentation for all Podcasting 2.0 RSS tags and their implementation.
View on GitHubPodcast Index
The open podcast directory and API that powers the Podcasting 2.0 ecosystem.
Explore indexReady to embrace the future of podcasting?
Dispatch gives you complete Podcasting 2.0 support out of the box. Start using Value4Value, enhanced chapters, transcripts, and more today.