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Block Your RSS Feed from Search Engine Indexing

Keep web crawlers from extracting your RSS feed and indexing on popularly used search engines by changing status to 'Unlisted'

Luke avatar
Written by Luke
Updated over a week ago

Unlisted (Blocked) RSS Feeds in Search Engines & Directories

Many podcasters need to deliver a secure podcast RSS feed directly to their listeners, without their feed being made searchable online or available on public directories. To block or hide your RSS Feed from search engines and listening apps, set the RSS Feed to 'Unlisted' in Show Distribution Settings

Unlisted RSS Feeds:

This setting will block discovery, submission, and indexing of your show's RSS feed on listening apps and search engines. The RSSS feed will only be accessible if you share the link directly.

⚠️ Warning: If your Podcast is already listed in Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, selecting 'Unlisted' will remove it instantly from these directories.

  • The following tags are automatically added to your RSS Feed once you select 'Unlisted' and click on 'Save':
    <googleplay:block>yes</googleplay:block>
    <itunes:block>yes</itunes:block>

To Change RSS Feed Status to 'Unlisted':

  1. Click on the drop-down menu in the top-left corner of your Simplecast dashboard next to your Show Title

  2. Click on the Gear Icon

  3. Click on 'Show Distribution' in the left sidebar

  4. Click on 'Advanced Settings' under the RSS Feed

  5. Click the radio button for 'Unlisted'

  6. Click 'Save' to commit changes

RSS Feed Settings

Public

This is the default setting for your feed, allowing you to submit to Podcast directories and making your feed discoverable by listeners and search engines.

Unlisted

Block discovery, submission, and indexing of the RSS feed on listening apps and search engines. The feed will only be accessible if you share the link directly.

Note: If your Podcast is already listed, this will remove it instantly.

Off

Disable the RSS feed completely, which prevents submitting to Apple Podcasts and other directories. Listeners will only be able to play your podcast on your Simplecast site and Web Players. Note: If your Podcast is already on Apple Podcasts and other directories, this will remove it instantly.

Related Article:

Publishing a Private Episode

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