The # 1 Mistake Podcasters Make with SEO

The #1 mistake I see podcasters make with SEO is not doing it at all. Some may not realize it's something they can do, while others know about it but haven’t prioritized it. Maybe they’ve been told that SEO is something extra they can do later and that it’s more important to focus on content and consistency first. While quality content and consistency are definitely important to podcast growth. I feel that saying SEO is something to do later is a big mistake. SEO isn't something extra or something you do after the fact. If you truly understand the impact of SEO, you want to use it to help your show in so many areas. 

If podcasters take a strategic approach, they can use SEO to ensure they create episodes their audience is interested in. They can also use SEO to optimize their show and episodes so new listeners can find their show. SEO isn’t something you add in later—it should be the foundation of your content strategy from the start.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Do Podcast SEO

One of the biggest misconceptions about podcast SEO is that it’s something you can do later. Some podcasters think it’s better to focus on other areas first, but SEO should always be the foundation of your content strategy. For example, if your show notes pages aren’t optimized for Google, they won’t rank in search results or drive additional traffic to your website. If your podcast episodes aren’t optimized in podcast directories, potential listeners won’t find them when they search for a topic in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If your podcast name isn't SEO-friendly you may struggle to have listeners connect with your show at all. The longer you wait to optimize your podcast for SEO, the more opportunities you miss.

The Three Most Important Things You Can Do for Podcast SEO

Optimize Your Show Name

• Be sure a potential listener can immediately identify your show as being on that they'd want to listen to
• Keep your show name clear, not cute
• Include your ideal customer information in your show name, if possible. 

Write Optimized Show Notes for Google

• Show notes should be structured like a blog post, not just a short summary.

• Include relevant keywords so your show notes can rank in Google search results.

• Add internal links to other relevant episodes or resources on your website. 

Use SEO for Your Overall Podcast Strategy

• Use SEO keywords to help name your show

• Use keywords to help you create episode titles
• Create content ideas based on keyword research - how many people are interested in specific topics?

How to use SEO Keywords to help your Podcast be Discovered

I once worked with a podcaster whose show was designed for menopausal women entering the empty nest phase of their lives. She had a great podcast full of hope, guidance, and great content. But it wasn't growing. We sat down and discussed her show, the audience, and her goals for the podcast. I knew that she had a big opportunity to grow her show and serve her audience, but there was a disconnect between her show name and the audience. The people she was creating her show for didn't know it was for them. 

Her show had a conversation, cute title, A conversation with a friend. It sounded warm and inviting, which was her goal, but it didn't help her audience understand it was for them. Her ideal listener had no way of knowing it was designed for her because it didn't say anything. 

We renamed the show to include new keywords like menopause and empty nest and she began to grow. She saw her downloads increase because people were able to identify the show as one that might appeal to them. 

Why SEO Should Be the Foundation of Your Podcast Strategy

If you want your show to grow without feeling like you have to post on social media multiple times a week, you need to use SEO (search engine optimization) to help your show. You can use it to help name your show so that your potential audience knows it's for them. You can use it to help you determine what type of content you're going to create. It can be used to help generate episode ideas or even episode titles. 

Want to Learn How to Optimize Your Podcast for SEO?

If you’re ready to make podcast SEO a core part of your strategy, download the free Beginner’s Guide to Podcast SEO. It walks you through the exact steps to optimize your podcast so you get more listeners and start growing your show. 

If you're ready to set the entire SEO strategy for your show, Simple Podcast SEO is the easiest way to learn how to grow your show. It gives you the exact strategy you need to optimize your podcast so that new listeners find you through search. Learn more about Simple Podcast SEO and sign up here.