SoundCloud is a popular platform for streaming and hosting all types of audio content, including podcasts. It has a broad audience base, so hosting your podcast on the platform will help you reach more people and increase your fanbase.
SoundCloud will also help you connect with your listeners, promote and share your content, and, most importantly, keep your overhead low. It is a fantastic platform for podcasters, and you should leverage its benefits if you haven’t already.
If you are curious about podcast hosting on SoundCloud and its various pros and cons, we will tell you all you need to know.
Let’s get started!
What Is SoundCloud?
Founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 2007, SoundCloud is an audio streaming and distribution app that allows users to upload, host, stream, share, and promote music, podcasts, and other audio content.
This online music-sharing platform is free to use. It also has paid subscription options for an ad-free listening experience along with offline streaming options.
SoundCloud’s interactive platform allows podcasters to interact with their listeners through its many sharing tools. It also has many other unique features, which we will get into in a bit.
While we are on the subject of podcast hosting on SoundCloud, let us tell you that SoundCloud is not really a podcast hosting platform like Libsyn or Blubrry. Instead, it is only an audio streaming app that hosts media through its player and subscription model.
Despite not being a dedicated podcast host, SoundCloud provides podcasters an excellent platform to express their thoughts and creativity and grow their audience base.
The service has its pros and cons, like everything else. To help you make the most informed decision, we will delve into SoundCloud’s benefits and drawbacks.
Pros and Cons of SoundCloud
Pros
- Millions of listeners around the world
- Available on different devices such as iOS, Android, Web, Sonos, Chromecast, and Xbox One
- Free plan
- Affordable paid subscriptions
- Host, promote, and share podcasts all from one place
- Unlimited hosting time for podcasters
- Advanced analytics for every podcast episode
- Customize profile, URL, and the app’s player for website embeds
- Interact with audiences and receive immediate feedback
- Monetize tracks
- Priority support and expert tips
Cons
- Not a dedicated podcast hosting platform
- Cannot import old podcast episodes from an existing RSS feed all at once
- Audio tracks uploads based on time and not file size
- Only paid plans have advanced features
- Financially unstable company
How to Host a Podcast on SoundCloud
If you’re raring to start hosting on SoundCloud, follow the steps below to get started:
Step 1: Create a Soundcloud Account
Log into your SoundCloud account to get started with podcasting. If you haven’t yet created one for your podcast, go to the SoundCloud website:
- Use an active email address to create your account.
- Use the title of your podcast as your Profile Display Name.
- Head over to your inbox for a confirmation email, then verify and activate your SoundCloud account.
Step 2: Submit Your Profile Details
To complete your profile information on SoundCloud, go to your profile page and click Edit:
- Upload a profile image. It should be at least 1400 x 1400 pixels.
- Write a description of your podcast in your profile bio. SoundCloud will use this as your podcast’s RSS feed description.
- Go to the Your Links section and add links to your website and any social media accounts you have created for your podcast.
Step 3: Change the Content Settings
To adjust the content settings of your account, click on the Content tab on the Settings page:
- Select a category relevant to your podcast.
- Choose the language of your podcast.
- If your show contains explicit content, check the box that says “Contains explicit content.”
- Choose the Upload Default settings that you require. If you wish to mainly upload podcasts, enable the RSS Feed setting. You can override the Upload default settings on the edit page of any audio track whenever you wish.
Step 4: Tweak Content Settings Further if Needed
You can adjust more optional content settings as follows:
- Custom feed title: You can display a longer title for your podcast in your RSS feed. If you leave the custom feed title field blank, SoundCloud will automatically use your profile display name.
- Custom author name: You can insert a byline to your podcast. Again, the app will use your display name if you leave this field blank.
- If you’re using a third-party service for tracking stats, add its URL in the Stats service prefix URL.
- For example, if you’re using Podtrac, enter the link: http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3. If you’re using Blubrry, copy and paste your custom redirect URL. You can find it under the Services and Stats section in Powerpress.
- Email address displayed: Certain podcast platforms require you to display an email address in your RSS feed. Enter yours here.
- Upload or edit an existing podcast recording to insert your first track to your podcast RSS feed.
- Check the “Include in RSS feed” box on the Permissions tab.
Step 5: Submit Your Soundcloud Podcast RSS Feed to Other Hosting Platforms
Through SoundCloud, you can reach new listeners and fans via distribution platforms such as iTunes, TuneIn, and Stitcher. For this, SoundCloud makes use of an RSS feed on the app.
To insert your SoundCloud RSS feed into your social media networks, follow these simple steps:
- Copy your RSS feed URL from the Content tab.
- Submit your podcast’s RSS feed to Stitcher.
- Similarly, submit your feed URL to TuneIn, too.
- On iTunes, you’ll need to submit your RSS feed to the iTunes store. Just fill out the Podcast Feed URL field and follow the prompts.
SoundCloud Pricing
SoundCloud has three pricing plans for podcasters:
SoundCloud Basic
Podcast creators can easily sign up and use SoundCloud’s Basic plan for free.
The features that you get with this plan include:
- Upload up to 3 hours of podcast content in real-time from anywhere.
- Allow 100 downloads per track.
- Get lossless HD storage.
- Get access to basic insights about your listener base, such as the number of track plays, downloads, likes, comments, and reposts.
- Customize your account profile and URL.
- Connect with listeners and fans through direct messaging.
- Receive notifications when audiences interact with your content.
- Tailor the app’s visual player for website embeds to showcase tracks across the web.
- Accept donations from fans using the support button on your profile.
- Get featured by SoundCloud’s artist relations team.
- Get pro tips from music industry experts through SoundCloud’s resource hub.
Repost by SoundCloud
Repost by SoundCloud costs $2.50 per month if you go for yearly billing.
It gives you access to all the Basic plan features along with the following:
- Promote tracks on SoundCloud’s discovery pages to expand your audience reach.
- Monetize track plays on SoundCloud and other music services such as Repost.
- Get paid with fan-powered royalties based on dedicated fans’ listening habits.
- Distribute unlimited track releases to all major music platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, Instagram, and others.
- Split payments with music collaborators such as bands and collectives.
- Select the countries or regions where you want your tracks to be played and monetized.
- Pitch tracks to top playlists across SoundCloud and other major music services.
- Receive guaranteed 1-day responses from SoundCloud’s support team.
SoundCloud Pro Unlimited
SoundCloud Pro Unlimited costs $12 per month if you opt for a yearly subscription or $16 if you sign up for monthly billing.
It offers access to all the features of the Repost by SoundCloud plan along with these advanced features:
- Unlock unlimited audio upload time. Maximum single sound file sizes are restricted to 4 GB, and upload time per track is limited to 6 hours and 45 minutes.
- Get access to advanced listener insights.
- Replace audio tracks without losing their stats.
- Pin your favorite tracks.
- Schedule track releases in advance on the SoundCloud platform and other music services.
- Turn off comments and control your public stats on tracks and playlists.
- Score exclusive deals such as discounted pricing from audio production partners.
- Get a discount of 50% on the SoundCloud Go+ plan for listeners.
Related:
Podcast Hosting With Whooshkaa
Conclusion
We hope that our guide helped you understand everything you need to know about podcast hosting on SoundCloud and decide whether you should join the SoundCloud bandwagon or not.
SoundCloud may not be created especially for podcast hosting, but it certainly offers a wide range of features, tools, and benefits that make it an excellent platform for creators. Expand your audience and connect with your listeners today!
If you enjoyed reading this blog post, check out our website for more helpful articles and guides on podcasting.
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