📌 Important: If you are not sure how or when to set a 301 Redirect, please reach out to the Simplecast support team first so you do not run the risk of losing your podcast subscribers. Do not set a 301 Redirect until the import process and setup is complete and you are ready to start publishing new episodes on Simplecast to all of the podcast directories.
What is a 301 redirect for a podcast?
The 301 redirect is like a change of address for your podcast RSS Feed URL and is necessary to keep your current subscribers when moving your show to Simplecast.
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Once you set a 301 Redirect, any requests from subscribers, devices, directories, and apps looking for your old RSS Feed URL will be forwarded to your new Simplecast RSS Feed URL
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It will permanently forward your subscribers over to your new Simplecast RSS feed URL and will update some of the podcast directories to use the new feed as well.
📌Note: Setting a 301 Redirect will not forward any new episodes published to your old RSS Feed after importing your show to Simplecast. If you publish new episodes on your old hosting platform after importing your show and setting a 301 Redirect, you will just need to Add a New Episode on Simplecast. It is possible to change the publish date for manually added episodes after they have been published.
Where do you set a 301 redirect for a podcast?
Important: Adding a 301 redirect to your old feed should only be done when you're ready to move all of your subscribers over to use your show’s new RSS feed.
If you are just testing Simplecast to see how you like it, wait to set up that 301 redirect until you're sure you want to use Simplecast for hosting your show.
The process for adding a 301 redirect to a feed is a little different for each podcast host, but your previous host should be able to assist you either via support or a tutorial.
In most cases all you need to do is paste your show's new Simplecast RSS feed URL into the 301 redirect field in your previous hosting platform. However some hosts may require you send an email to their support team.
Here are the 301 redirect help articles for a few of the other podcast hosts:
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Libsyn - click here
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Soundcloud - click here
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Squarespace - click here
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Spotify for Podcasters - click here
📌 You may see a recommendation that you add a tag to your show's RSS feed after you move hosts. Simplecast automatically takes care of that when you import the show.
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Here are some other helpful articles you might like to check out next:
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How to Add Podcast App Badges to Your Simplecast Site and Embed Players
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Will I Lose Any Subscribers or Listeners If I Change Podcast Hosts?
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Do you still have questions? We'd be happy to answer them. Contact the support team from the drop-down menu located in the top-right corner of your Simplecast dashboard or send an email to support@simplecast.com