{"id":46319,"date":"2023-05-02T08:40:14","date_gmt":"2023-05-02T07:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/?p=46319"},"modified":"2023-07-05T10:36:09","modified_gmt":"2023-07-05T09:36:09","slug":"spotify-for-podcasters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thepodcasthost.com\/websites-hosting\/spotify-for-podcasters\/","title":{"rendered":"Spotify for Podcasters: An Improvement on Anchor?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You can\u2019t go anywhere on the globe without coming across that big green dot. Spotify has worked hard to make itself synonymous with streaming audio. Now, Spotify for Podcasters<\/a> is the phrase that connects creation and consumption in one ecosystem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As of July 2022, 44% of all podcasts were hosted on Anchor<\/a> (now Spotify for Podcasters). This makes the platform attractive to advertisers because the company has a lot of ad placement inventory (podcast episodes). Ad sales make investors happy. Unfortunately, Spotify isn’t helping podcasters make great audio. Spotify has little to no room to negotiate with music labels. They prefer to make up their margin via podcast ads<\/a>. The following review makes clear why, despite its accessibility as a podcasting tool, Spotify for Podcasters is limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spotify<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why Has Anchor Rebranded as Spotify for Podcasters? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In essence, Spotify wanted to paint over or erase Anchor\u2019s reputation. Those who use Spotify regularly for podcasting will know Anchor. Anchor was the first combined podcast maker<\/a> and hosting service<\/a>. One could create, edit and publish content to appear on Spotify and beyond. Anchor has always been a good platform for new podcast creators who want to try it before spending money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Anchor was rife with problems. Before 2021, users couldn\u2019t control their RSS feeds<\/a>, preventing them from fully understanding their show’s performance. Moreover, because the barrier to entry was so low, the tool was prone to podcast piracy<\/a>. In addition, people would start shows there and abandon them, rendering Anchor a podcast graveyard<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The average number of episodes per podcast is 21.7; and the average number of episodes for shows hosted by Anchor is 13.6 (a third fewer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Podcast Index also automatically removes many inactive shows from Anchor; so the difference may be even higher.<\/p>\nAre Anchor podcasts different?<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Although Spotify purchased Anchor in 2019, it didn\u2019t change anything about the tool\u2019s interface or security. Even in March of 2023, when Spotify absorbed Anchor into Spotify for Podcasters<\/a>, the underlying tool remained the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, Anchor is a rudimentary tool, and Spotify hasn\u2019t improved it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Spotify for Podcasters Have New Features? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Spotify says, “We have a new look, but we’re still offering the same podcasting tools you love. We’re always working hard in the background to make your experience better.” Other than changing the logo and name, however, there aren’t any additional features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does Spotify for Podcasters Have a Mobile App With an Episode Builder? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yup. Straight away, The Spotify for Podcasters app guides you from recording to adding music, then previewing, publishing, and setting up monetization. The app makes me nervous because it prompts you to record and asks you to publish before they know your podcast’s name<\/a>, which feels a little cart-before-the-horse to me. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Spotify<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Is the Sound File Recorded in My Mobile App Available on the Desktop Version?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Spotify’s mobile app holds your library of audio files in cloud storage. You can record using your phone’s microphone and then edit it on your computer or another device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Start a Podcast on Spotify for Free<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re used to podcast editing software<\/a> like Audacity or Reaper, Spotify for Podcasters is a different user experience. But, if you’re used to the editing tools in Alitu<\/a>, you may find the process familiar. Whether you use the mobile app or the browser site, Spotify for Podcasters guides you through recording, trimming and publishing a podcast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recording in Spotify for Podcasters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In Spotify for Podcasters, you record your dialogue into files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the mobile app, use your phone’s mic, attach a microphone<\/a>, or record on the desktop version with your preferred mic<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Spotify<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you make a mistake, you can tap “Add Flag.” This marks the track so you can return and trim your sound files around the mistake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editing in Spotify for Podcasters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can either: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • trim, removing the beginning and end of the audio you want to keep<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • split, so that you break the audio file into several clips<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n
    \n
    \"Spotify<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Each clip that you keep goes into your Spotify for Podcasters Library. Then, you arrange the audio clips in the order you want them in the episode and preview it. Again, the interface is somewhat similar to Alitu, except it can’t polish your audio. I saw a button with a picture of a magic wand that said, “Enhance.” I tapped it but couldn’t hear a difference in the sound quality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Even Spotify’s guide to editing<\/a> doesn’t hide the fact that their editing tools don’t help you improve the audio. Their editing guide says, “Spotify for Podcasters’ editing tools are an example of a DAW<\/a> you can use.” High praise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can also create your episode with your own recording<\/a> and editing<\/a> software. Then you can upload the finished file to Spotify for Podcasters<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Here’s an excerpt from a sample episode I made. It shows what’s possible using their free, easy recording and editing tools. <\/p>\n\n\n