What You Need to Start

  • A Spotify account (free)
  • A microphone (even a decent USB microphone like the Blue Yeti Nano ~$80, or use your phone)
  • Audio recording software: Audacity (free, desktop), GarageBand (free, Mac/iPhone), or record directly in Spotify for Podcasters
  • A show concept, name and cover art (3000x3000px JPG or PNG)

Step-by-Step Setup

  1. 1

    Go to podcasters.spotify.com and sign up

    Spotify for Podcasters is completely free. Sign in with your Spotify account or create one. Click Start and follow the prompts to create your podcast.

  2. 2

    Fill in your show details

    Podcast name, description (this appears in search — include keywords your audience might search), category (e.g. Education, Technology, Business), language and cover art. The cover art appears in Spotify search results — make it clear and readable even at small thumbnail size.

  3. 3

    Record or upload your first episode

    Record directly in Spotify for Podcasters (built-in browser recording) or upload an MP3 file. Recommended settings for uploaded files: MP3 format, 44.1kHz sample rate, 128kbps or higher bitrate. Episodes can be any length but 20–45 minutes is the most common range.

  4. 4

    Add episode details and publish

    Add an episode title, description, season and episode number. Set the publish date (now or scheduled). Click Publish. Your episode is distributed to Spotify within minutes. Spotify for Podcasters also distributes to Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and other platforms automatically.

Audio quality makes a huge differenceRecord in a small, soft-furnished room (bedroom with carpet and soft furnishings) rather than a large echo-y space. Speak close to the microphone (15–20cm away). The most impactful gear upgrade is a USB microphone — the jump from a laptop microphone to a dedicated USB mic is dramatic and immediately obvious to listeners.

Growing Your Podcast

  • Publish consistently — same day each week or fortnight. Consistency matters more than frequency.
  • Write SEO-friendly titles and descriptions so people can find episodes via search.
  • Share each episode on social media with a short audio clip (Spotify for Podcasters provides shareable clips).
  • Ask listeners to follow and rate the show — ratings improve discoverability in Spotify search.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — completely free to publish unlimited episodes with no storage limits. Spotify for Podcasters also provides analytics showing your listener numbers, which countries they are in, how long they listen and how they found your show. Monetisation features (subscriptions, listener support) are also available once you meet minimum audience thresholds.
No — start with what you have and upgrade later. A modern iPhone or Android phone microphone is genuinely adequate for a first podcast. Recording in a small, soft-furnished room reduces echo more than any microphone upgrade. Once you have proven you enjoy podcasting and have some listeners, invest in a USB microphone. Many successful podcasts run entirely from a phone.