Most people believe that podcasts, as an audio medium, do not require SEO optimization; however, new Google updates have made podcast SEO an important strategy for digital marketers.
We’ve all heard that Search Engine Optimization, or SEO for short, is an important component of well-rounded digital marketing strategies.
SEO is what allows searchers to find your pages and content on search engines and brings new visitors to your website.
However, there is one aspect of digital marketing that many people believe does not require SEO optimization: podcasts.
Podcasts, as an audio medium, do not follow the same SEO rules as written content.
However, because Google has updated the search engine results page, podcast SEO must now be added to the other activities that your brand pursues.
This article will define podcast SEO and explain how podcasts are now appearing on search engine results pages. We’ll also give you 10 essential tips for incorporating podcast SEO into your own digital marketing strategies.
- What exactly is Podcast SEO?
- Why does Google include podcasts in its search results?
- Podcast SEO Tips: How to Optimize Your Content
- Conclusion
Bonus: If you want to learn more about Hashtags for music artists, read this our blog post!
What exactly is Podcast SEO?
First, let me clarify a few points.
Podcasts are digital audio files that can be listened to or downloaded online in an episodic format.
Businesses will have a podcast channel and will use it to:
- Explain important information to the audience.
- Interview industry professionals.
- Investigate various business-related topics.
Podcasts are extremely popular with audiences because they are simple to access and the ideal option for people on the go who can’t sit down and read an article or blog.
What about search engine optimization?
Visitors to a website are attracted by search engine optimization. New visitors and leads can find your website, blog, and other pages if a searcher enters a query and your pages are optimized for that search term.
In this context, podcast SEO refers to the strategy of optimizing your podcasts in order to increase their visibility on search engine results pages (SERPs). The goal is to increase the likelihood of potential listeners discovering your shows via search traffic.
Why Does Google Display Podcasts in SERPs?
To listen to a podcast, an audience member would traditionally download a podcast hosting app or search for a specific podcasting channel on Spotify or iTunes.
Most podcasting channels will use basic keywords to appear in search results on these platforms, but will not do much else in terms of SEO.
However, changes to the Google algorithm have changed this.
Beginning in 2019, Google announced that it would begin displaying podcasts directly on SERPs.
That is, if someone searches for a term and a relevant podcast episode addresses the query, your podcast may appear in the results.
Google also analyzes and transcribes podcast content to learn more about its relevance for various search terms.
What Is the Point?
The ability to find your podcast in a Google search has created incredible opportunities for businesses.
Previously, people had to know your podcast by name or by industry in order to find your channel on a podcasting app. Your podcast now has a much better chance of being discovered than it did previously.
Rather than searching for your podcast by name, a Google user can search for a term related to a specific episode of your show and discover your entire channel.
It also implies that optimizing your podcast for SEO is now an important part of your podcasting strategy.
Tips for Podcast SEO: How to Optimize Your Content
The good news is that you don’t need to change the content of your podcasts to optimize your channels for SEO.
Instead, podcast SEO focuses on some of the minor details and background tasks that you may not have given much thought to previously.
You can quickly see if your podcast SEO strategy is paying off by focusing your time and energy on a few simple changes.
Let’s take a look at the top ten podcast SEO tips and tactics you can use.
1. Incorporate Keywords Into Your Podcast Episodes
Keywords are critical to the expansion and success of your podcast.
You want your pages and podcasts to rank high in those keywords and appear higher on the search results list.
Spending time on keyword research can assist you in identifying the most relevant terms for your podcast episodes.
2. Recognize the Trends
Creating podcasts that are searchable on Google necessitates that your content is relevant to industry trends and emerging topics.
Having some backup ideas for your podcasts is always a good idea. But it’s more important to focus on new and relevant trends rather than background information or general industry news.
By focusing on trends, you can rank higher for terms that people are searching for more frequently.
