This article explains the podcast-level fields and how they appear in the RSS feed.
Required fields
| Field | Used for | Feed output |
|---|---|---|
| Podcast Name | Public show title | <title> |
| Podcast Description | Show description | <description>, itunes:summary excerpt |
| Podcast Cover Art | Show artwork | itunes:image |
| Podcast Website | Show website | <link> |
| Language | Show language | <language> |
| Apple Podcast Categories | Directory category | itunes:category |
| Podcast Author | Show author | itunes:author |
Required fields should be completed before submitting the feed to directories.
Recommended fields
| Field | Used for | Feed output |
|---|---|---|
| Episodic or Serial | Listening order style | itunes:type |
| Copyright | Show copyright | <copyright> |
| Owner Name | Directory contact | itunes:owner/itunes:name |
| Owner Email | Directory contact and locked owner | itunes:owner/itunes:email, podcast:locked owner |
| Funding URL | Support page | podcast:funding url |
| Funding Label | Support link text | podcast:funding value |
Management fields
| Field | Used for | Feed output |
|---|---|---|
| Explicit | Mark show explicit | itunes:explicit |
| Block from Apple Podcasts | Hide show in Apple Podcasts | itunes:block |
| Completed | Mark show complete | itunes:complete |
| Locked | Discourage unauthorized feed imports | podcast:locked |
| iTunes New Feed URL | Move subscribers to a new feed | itunes:new-feed-url |
| Apple verification token | Verify show ownership | podcast:txt and legacy Apple verification tag |
Artwork guidance
Use show artwork that is:
- Square.
- JPG or PNG.
- At least 1400 x 1400 pixels.
- Ideally 3000 x 3000 pixels.
- Readable at small sizes.
- Not transparent if submitting to directories that reject transparent artwork.
The plugin validates square image dimensions in the admin experience.
Category guidance
Choose the category that best describes the whole show, not only one episode. If a category has a subcategory, choose the closest available match.
Podcast directories may use the first category as the primary discovery category.
When to use advanced fields
Use advanced fields only when needed:
- Use Block when deliberately removing the show from Apple Podcasts.
- Use Complete when no more episodes are expected.
- Use New Feed URL only for a permanent feed move.
- Use Locked when you want to signal feed ownership.
- Use Apple verification only with a token supplied by Apple.