Podcast Glossary

Podcast accessibility refers to making content available to people with disabilities—particularly deaf and hard-of-hearing listeners through transcripts, captions, and alternative...

Amazon Music is Amazon's streaming platform that hosts podcasts alongside music, providing access through the Amazon Music app, Alexa-enabled devices, and the broader Amazon ecosys...

Apple Podcasts is Apple's podcast directory and the default podcast app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. As the largest podcast platform globally, Apple Podcasts se...

Attribution in podcast advertising is the process of connecting listener actions—such as website visits, app downloads, or purchases—back to specific podcast ads they heard. Becaus...

An audiogram is a short video clip combining audio from your podcast with a waveform visualization, captions, and static or animated images. Designed for social media, audiograms m...

An audio interface is a hardware device that connects microphones and instruments to your computer for recording. It converts analog audio signals from your microphone into digital...

An audio mixer (also called a mixing board or mixing console) is a device that combines multiple audio sources, adjusts their levels, and routes them to a recording device or outpu...

Baked-in ads are permanently recorded as part of your episode audio file. Unlike dynamic ads, baked-in content travels with every download forever and cannot be changed after publi...

Bandwidth is the amount of data transferred when listeners download your episodes, measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). More downloads mean more bandwidth usage, which dir...

Bitcoin is the cryptocurrency underlying Value4Value payments in Podcast 2.0. Through the Lightning Network, listeners can stream satoshis (the smallest Bitcoin unit: 0.00000001 BT...

Bitrate measures how much audio data is encoded per second, expressed in kilobits per second (kbps). Higher bitrates preserve more audio detail but create larger files—the fundamen...

A boom arm (also called a microphone arm or broadcast arm) is an adjustable, articulating mount that suspends your microphone in position while keeping your desk clear. Boom arms c...

Bot filtering is the process of identifying and removing non-human traffic from your podcast analytics. This includes automated requests from search engine crawlers, app pre-fetchi...

A call-to-action (CTA) is a prompt asking listeners to take a specific action—subscribing, leaving a review, visiting a website, sharing the episode, or supporting the show. Effect...

A cardioid microphone is a type of directional microphone that picks up sound primarily from the front while rejecting noise from the sides and rear. The name comes from its heart-...

A CDN (Content Delivery Network) is a distributed network of servers that delivers podcast audio files from locations geographically close to listeners. Rather than all downloads c...

In RSS terminology, the channel element is the container for all metadata about your podcast show itself. Everything listeners see when they view your show listing—before clicking...

Podcast chapters divide episodes into named sections with timestamps, optional artwork, and URLs. Listeners can skip to specific topics, see chapter titles as they listen, and navi...

Clipping occurs when audio signal exceeds the maximum level a digital system can represent (0 dBFS), causing harsh distortion. The waveform's peaks are literally "clipped" off, cre...

Audio compression (dynamic range compression) reduces the volume difference between the loudest and quietest parts of a recording. This makes speech consistently audible without ex...

A condenser microphone (also called a capacitor microphone) uses a lightweight diaphragm suspended near a metal backplate to capture sound. When sound waves hit the diaphragm, the...

Consumption rate (also called listen-through rate or completion rate) measures what percentage of an episode listeners actually play. A 75% consumption rate means the average liste...

CPM (Cost Per Mille) is the standard pricing model for podcast advertising, representing the cost an advertiser pays per 1,000 downloads. The term comes from the Latin "mille" mean...

Cross-promotion is when podcasters promote each other's shows to their audiences—through ad swaps, guest appearances, mutual recommendations, or collaborative episodes. It's one of...

A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is software used to record, edit, and produce podcast audio. DAWs range from free, beginner-friendly options to professional systems used in major...

A podcast download is counted when a listener's app or device requests and receives your episode's audio file from the hosting server. Downloads are the foundational metric for pod...

Dynamic ad insertion (DAI) is technology that inserts ads into podcast episodes at the moment of download or streaming, rather than permanently embedding them in the audio file. Th...

A dynamic microphone uses electromagnetic induction to convert sound waves into electrical signals. Inside, a thin diaphragm attached to a coil of wire moves within a magnetic fiel...

An embeddable player is a web widget you can add to websites that plays your podcast directly in the browser. Visitors can listen without leaving your site or installing a podcast...

The enclosure tag is the critical RSS element that tells podcast apps where to download your audio file. It's what transforms a standard RSS feed into a podcast feed capable of del...

An enhanced podcast includes rich features beyond basic audio—such as chapters, transcripts, images, and interactive elements. Podcast 2.0 enables modern enhanced podcasting throug...

EQ (Equalization) adjusts the balance of different frequency ranges in your audio. For podcasts, EQ typically means reducing low-frequency rumble, enhancing vocal clarity in the mi...

A feed redirect tells podcast directories and apps to fetch your RSS feed from a new URL. This is essential when migrating between hosting providers—it ensures subscribers continue...

Feed validation is the process of checking your RSS feed against technical specifications to ensure it's properly formatted, contains all required elements, and will be accepted by...

The tag provides a standardized way to link to listener support platforms directly in your RSS feed. Supporting podcast apps display these links, making it easy for listeners to fi...

Gain staging is the process of setting optimal audio levels at each point in your signal chain to maximize sound quality and minimize noise. In podcasting, proper gain staging ensu...

A GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) is a permanent, unique identifier assigned to each episode in your RSS feed. Podcast apps use GUIDs to track episode identity across feed update...

Host-read ads are advertisement spots read by the podcast host rather than using pre-produced advertiser audio. The personal delivery and implied endorsement make host-reads the mo...

The IAB is the organization that publishes podcast measurement guidelines, defining standards for counting downloads and unique listeners. IAB compliance means a hosting platform f...

The IAB Podcast Measurement Guidelines are the industry-standard technical specifications published by the IAB Tech Lab for measuring podcast downloads, audience size, and ad deliv...

ID3 tags are metadata embedded directly inside MP3 audio files. Unlike RSS feed metadata that apps fetch from the internet, ID3 data travels with the file itself—displaying correct...

In RSS, each episode is represented by an element within the channel. Items contain episode-specific metadata like title, description, publication date, duration, and the enclosure...

iTunes tags are Apple-specific XML namespace elements (prefixed with ) that extend standard RSS with podcast-specific metadata. Originally created for the iTunes Store podcast dire...

A lavalier microphone (also called a lapel mic or lav mic) is a small, discreet microphone that clips onto clothing near the speaker's chest. These compact mics are popular for int...

The Lightning Network is a Bitcoin layer-2 payment system that enables instant, low-cost micropayments. It powers Value4Value streaming payments in podcasting, making it economical...

Listener support encompasses various ways audiences can financially support podcasts directly—independent of advertising. This includes platforms like Patreon, Ko-fi, Buy Me a Coff...

The tag specifies geographic locations relevant to episodes or entire shows, with coordinates and place names. This metadata enables geographic discovery and adds context for trave...

LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) is the industry standard measurement for perceived audio loudness. Unlike simple peak measurements, LUFS considers how humans actually perceive vol...

Mid-roll ads are placed within the body of a podcast episode, typically at natural breaks in content. As the most effective and valuable ad position, mid-rolls command the highest...

Mono audio uses a single channel, while stereo uses two independent channels (left and right). For podcasts, this choice affects file size, bitrate efficiency, and whether spatial...

MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer III) is the universal audio format for podcast distribution. It uses perceptual coding to compress audio by removing frequencies that human ears don't easily...

A noise gate automatically mutes audio when the signal falls below a set threshold, eliminating background noise during pauses in speech. It "opens" when you speak and "closes" dur...

The tag credits hosts, guests, and production team members in your RSS feed with names, roles, and optional profile images and links. This metadata improves discoverability and pro...

Phantom power is a method of supplying DC electrical power (typically 48 volts) through an audio cable to power condenser microphones and active DI boxes. It's called "phantom" bec...

A podcast is a digital audio program distributed via the internet using RSS feeds, allowing listeners to subscribe and automatically receive new episodes on their preferred devices...

The Podcast 2.0 namespace is a set of new RSS tags (prefixed with ) that extend podcast functionality beyond the original iTunes tags. Developed by the podcasting community through...

Podcast analytics encompass all measurable data about your podcast's performance—from downloads and unique listeners to geographic distribution, listening platforms, and consumptio...

A podcast app (or podcatcher) is software that subscribes to RSS feeds, downloads episodes, and provides playback controls. Apps range from simple players to feature-rich experienc...

Podcast artwork refers to all visual assets associated with your podcast, including cover art, episode images, social media graphics, and promotional materials that establish your...

Podcast charts rank shows by popularity within directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Chart algorithms consider factors like new subscribers, recent downloads, velocity of gr...

Podcast cover art is the visual image that represents your show across podcast directories, apps, and marketing materials. It's your podcast's first impression and a critical eleme...

A podcast directory is a searchable catalog where listeners discover and subscribe to podcasts. Directories read your RSS feed to index your show, making it available to their user...

Podcast editing is the post-production process of refining raw audio recordings into polished episodes—removing mistakes, balancing levels, adding music, and optimizing audio quali...

A podcast episode is a single installment of audio content within a podcast series, delivered as an individual item in the show's RSS feed with its own title, description, and audi...

Podcast equipment encompasses all the hardware and accessories needed to record, produce, and publish a podcast—from microphones and audio interfaces to headphones and acoustic tre...

A podcast feed is the complete RSS XML document that serves as the single source of truth for your podcast. Every directory, app, and aggregator reads this same feed to display you...

Podcast hosting is a specialized service that stores your audio files and generates the RSS feed that distributes your podcast to listeners and directories like Apple Podcasts and...

Podcast Index is an open, community-driven podcast directory that champions the open podcast ecosystem. It provides free API access, supports Podcast 2.0 features, and powers many...

A podcast intro is the opening segment of an episode that introduces your show to listeners, typically including music, a brief show description, and sometimes the episode topic or...

A podcast microphone is a device that captures audio for recording, designed or well-suited for voice recording in podcasting applications. The right microphone significantly impac...

Podcast migration is the process of moving your show from one hosting provider to another while maintaining subscribers, download history (where possible), and directory listings....

Podcast reviews are written feedback and ratings listeners leave on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Podchaser. Reviews provide social proof for potential subscribers and may infl...

Podcast SEO (Search Engine Optimization) involves optimizing your show, episode titles, descriptions, and website content to appear in search results—both in Google and within podc...

A podcast website is a web presence for your show—a destination for show notes, episode archives, subscription links, about information, and everything listeners can't get from the...

A pop filter (also called a pop screen or pop shield) is a mesh screen placed between your mouth and microphone to reduce plosive sounds—the bursts of air from pronouncing "P," "B,...

Post-roll ads play at the end of a podcast episode, after the main content concludes. While they have lower completion rates than pre-roll or mid-roll positions, post-rolls serve s...

A pre-roll ad plays at the very beginning of a podcast episode, before any content. Typically 15-30 seconds, pre-rolls are often used for quick brand mentions, show sponsors, or ca...

Programmatic advertising uses automated systems to buy and place podcast ads based on targeting criteria, without requiring direct relationships between podcasters and advertisers....

The pubDate element specifies when an RSS item (episode) was published. Podcast apps use this timestamp to sort episodes chronologically, determine which episodes are new, and trig...

Rolling 7-day downloads is the total download count from the past 7 days, recalculated daily. This metric smooths out day-to-day fluctuations and release-day spikes to reveal your...

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is an XML-based format that serves as the backbone of podcast distribution. Every podcast app, directory, and aggregator reads RSS feeds to discover...

Sample rate is the number of audio samples captured per second, measured in Hertz (Hz) or kilohertz (kHz). It determines the highest frequency that can be accurately reproduced in...

A shotgun microphone is a highly directional microphone with a long, narrow pickup pattern that captures sound from directly in front while strongly rejecting audio from the sides....

Show notes are written content accompanying each episode—typically including a summary, timestamps, links mentioned, guest information, and resources for listeners. They appear in...

The tag marks short audio clips within episodes that can be used for sharing or preview purposes. Specified by start time and duration, soundbites highlight compelling moments that...

Podcast sponsorship is a direct advertising relationship where a brand pays to have their message delivered on your show. Unlike programmatic advertising, sponsorships involve pers...

Spotify is a major music and podcast streaming platform with over 500 million users globally. Unlike traditional podcast apps that stream from your RSS feed, Spotify hosts its own...

Storage is the disk space used to host your audio files on the podcast hosting platform. A typical 60-minute episode at 128kbps uses about 58MB of storage, and this accumulates wit...

Podcast submission is the one-time process of registering your RSS feed URL with a directory. After approval, the directory automatically indexes your show and new episodes appear...

A podcast subscriber (or follower) is someone who has followed your show in a podcast app, automatically receiving new episodes when they're published. Subscribers form your core a...

A podcast trailer is a short promotional episode (typically 1-3 minutes) introducing your show to potential listeners. It's often the first episode in your feed and marked with the...

Podcast transcripts are text versions of your episode audio, available as plain text, SRT subtitles, VTT captions, or JSON formats. The tag links transcripts in your RSS feed, maki...

Unique listeners is a metric that estimates the number of individual people who downloaded your podcast, as opposed to total downloads which counts every file request. Since the sa...

A USB microphone is an all-in-one recording device that connects directly to your computer via USB, with built-in analog-to-digital conversion and preamp. Unlike XLR microphones th...

A user agent is a text string sent with every HTTP request that identifies the software making the request. In podcast analytics, user agents reveal which apps, devices, and operat...

Value4Value (V4V) is a Podcast 2.0 feature enabling direct micropayments from listeners to podcasters using Bitcoin's Lightning Network. Listeners can "stream" satoshis (tiny Bitco...

VAST (Video Ad Serving Template) is a standard XML format for serving video and audio ads. Originally created for video advertising, VAST enables dynamic ad insertion in podcasts b...

WAV (Waveform Audio File Format) is an uncompressed audio format that preserves complete audio fidelity. While too large for podcast distribution, WAV files are ideal for recording...

XML (Extensible Markup Language) is the structured data format underlying RSS feeds. Every podcast feed is an XML document that organizes show and episode data in a hierarchical, m...

YouTube Music is Google's platform for podcast distribution, integrating podcasts alongside music within the YouTube ecosystem. As Google Podcasts phases out, YouTube Music becomes...