Increase Your Listeners with Enhanced Apple Podcasts Audio Transcript Search in iOS 13 | Rev (2024)

Recently, Apple announcedthat in iOS 13 they’ll be providing searchable audio transcripts for eligible Apple podcasts. If your show is transcribed, that means that when listeners search for certain terms the app looks for those terms in your podcast transcripts as well as in your titles and topics.

It was also announced at the WWDC 2019 that Apple Podcasts is also coming for Mac, separate from its previous home in iTunes. This means even more opportunity to reach new audiences.

How do listeners find podcasts?

Podcasts are soaring in popularity, largely because they’re the ultimate multi-tasking tool. People can listen while working out at the gym, walking the dog, mowing the lawn, doing housework, driving to work, etc. None of those things can be safely done while reading a blog post!

Just how popular are podcasts?

  • 51% of Americans have listened to a podcast.
  • 32% of Americans (that’s about 90 million) listen to podcasts monthly.
  • 22% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly.
  • Age isn’t much of a factor when it comes to listening habits, which means podcasts have hit that sweet spot where adoption is pervasive across all age brackets.

But such popularity also has a downside. Podcasters have to put in a lot of effort just to get noticed. That’s especially important to podcasters wanting to drive traffic to their website, sell a product or service, or attract paid sponsors.

With nobody knowing exactly what the secret formula is at any given time, that left podcasters everywhere jumping through hoops to be discovered.

How do you search podcast transcripts?

We don’t know Apple’s search algorithm with the new automatically transcribed podcasts. Whether they only transcribe popular shows or a selected few, we do know the archive isn’t extensive.

To search podcast transcripts in the Apple Podcasts app, you simply search for the key term in the search bar.

Go to the Podcasts app, type your key term into the search bar, and search!

You won’t see the transcript itself (a snippet, at best) unless you copy and pasted a transcript into the show notes.

The search term will likely only yield a result for the spoken content in your episode if you’ve put your own transcript in the show notes, especially with this feature being so new and unclear on its exclusivity.

Why are searchable transcripts such a big deal?

For podcasters wanting to show up in iTunes searches, the secret to success has been something like the hunt for Bigfoot, with everybody vouching for their own “trick”:

  • Land a spot on Apple’s “New & Noteworthy” list by hitting the jackpot with their mysterious algorithm of subscribers, new subscribers, ratings, and reviews.
  • Contact Apple and beg them to include your podcast in one of their hand-picked lists.
  • Create cover art with a clean design and clearly visible title.
  • Focus on podcast SEO by including an SEO-optimized title and subtitle (i.e., they should clearly convey what your podcast is about).

Other than those four things and a few other tips that sound like they should be part of some conspiracy show, podcasters have had to sit by and hope listeners would stumble across their podcasts while browsing categories. With the iOS 13 update, however, users can find them by search terms that appear in the transcripts of the podcast, not just the titles and subtitles.

How does this affect my podcast on Apple?

There’s definitely a few potential pros and cons.

  • PRO: If Apple decides to automatically transcribe your podcast, any spoken words said in the episode are now be searchable from the Apple Podcasts app.
  • CON: Apple probably isn’t making this available to every podcaster. Even podcasters who make the cut once may not get a transcript for every episode. Podcasters with established shows and large audiences stand to gain the most.
  • CON: Podcasters don’t own their transcripts; Apple does. You won’t be able to download them to post on your website or other platforms.
  • CON: The transcript could contain mistakes. Not only could that damage your search rankings; your brand image could take a beating, too, if the transcript contained embarrassing or offensive errors.

So, for many podcasters, this new update may not provide much benefit. Unlike getting your own podcast transcript, you can’t download it or do anything with it.

In fact, this update could even put you at a disadvantage, since the bigger fish have a better chance of showing up in search results.

However, if you’re already currently following best practices for podcast SEO, then you have nothing to worry about.

How do I improve my podcast SEO?

At the very least, make sure you’ve optimized your podcast SEO by including things like titles, speaker names, topics, etc.

The best optimization, however, is to include a full transcript of your episode in your show notes. This transcription is owned by you, not Apple — that you can include in your podcast description and post on your own website.

We can transcribe your podcast for $1/minute, leveling the playing field for those not included in Apple’s transcription service. And, unlike Apple, we guarantee a 99% accuracy rate. Plus, you own the audio transcript. You can use it for pull quotes, tweets, Instagram captions, and anything else you need to tell your story.

On a budget? Our automated transcription service only costs $.25/minute at 80% accuracy.

Get accurate audio transcripts for your podcast

Apple may have good intentions, but if their transcription search rolls out the way they’ve described it, it gives the biggest boost to those who need it the least. Podcasters who are still growing their following need to level the playing field by making sure their podcasts are just as searchable as those chosen by Apple.

Having a copy of your podcast transcript means that you can use it to create as much additional content as you want. Grab a quote to Tweet or to use as a caption for an Instagram post, or use part of the podcast as the starting point for a blog post. When you own it, the sky’s the limit.

Increase Your Listeners with Enhanced Apple Podcasts Audio Transcript Search in iOS 13 | Rev (2024)

FAQs

How do I get transcripts from Podcasts to my iPhone? ›

How to Transcribe Apple Podcasts Automatically?
  1. Upload your recording to the transcription platform.
  2. Allow it to transcribe the content, which should only take a few minutes.
  3. Read through the file and make any necessary changes.
  4. Download the text in your chosen file format.

How do I change my Apple podcast settings? ›

To change these settings, choose Podcasts > Settings, then click General. Automatically sync any changes you make to the podcasts you follow, your stations, and current play position to every Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch where you're signed in with the same Apple ID.

How do I turn off podcast restrictions on iPhone? ›

Turn off the app on an iOS or iPadOS device: Click App Restrictions, then turn off Allow Podcasts in the Allowed on iOS section.

How do I get a full transcript of a podcast? ›

You can get a podcast transcript by requesting it from the podcast provider, hiring a transcription service or by typing it yourself with the aid of transcription software. A low budget option for students is using speech to text software combined with human review and correction.

Does Apple podcasts provide transcripts? ›

To search podcast transcripts in the Apple Podcasts app, you simply search for the key term in the search bar. Go to the Podcasts app, type your key term into the search bar, and search!

How do I get more listeners on Apple podcast? ›

Podcast Tips: 8 Ways to Help You Gain Podcast Listeners in 2023
  1. Craft a Great Podcast Episode Title.
  2. Choose a Different Keyword for Each Episode.
  3. Build a Website for Your Podcast.
  4. Create a Separate Page for Each Episode.
  5. Share Your Content on Social Media Channels.
  6. Submit Your Podcast to Directories.
Apr 28, 2023

How do I improve my Apple podcast ranking? ›

What does it take to increase your Apple podcast ranking?
  1. New & Noteworthy.
  2. Featured Collections.
  3. Choose a memorable name for your podcast.
  4. Encourage your listeners to review your podcast.
  5. Create attention-grabbing cover art.
  6. Promote your podcast on social media.

How do I rank higher in Apple Podcasts? ›

8 Simple Steps To Boost Apple Podcasts Rankings
  1. Most Important: Produce Great Content. ...
  2. Nail The Right Primary Category. ...
  3. Incentivise Listeners To Rate & Review. ...
  4. The #1 Key. ...
  5. Attention To Detail: Podcast Cover Thumbnail, Trailer, Episode Titles. ...
  6. Use Apple's Link Maker. ...
  7. Monitor Progress. ...
  8. Be Consistent.
May 11, 2023

How do I manage Podcasts on my iPhone 13? ›

Tap Library to see podcasts you follow, then tap a show to see its information page. , then tap Settings. Tap Limit Downloads, then select an option to limit downloads by number or time.

Where are podcast settings on iPhone? ›

Change your download settings for Podcasts on iPhone
  1. Go to Settings > Podcasts.
  2. Turn Enable When Following (under Automatic Downloads) off or on.

Are podcast transcripts worth it? ›

If your podcast is audio only, the transcript can significantly benefit your audience by allowing them to follow along as they listen. If you have a video podcast, your audience can peek at the transcript for greater context while watching your broadcast.

Do people read podcast transcripts? ›

A podcast transcript is a valuable bank of written copy you can use to create other forms of content. You might use it for email marketing campaigns, social media posts, or infographics. Many podcasters use their transcriptions as sources for blog articles.

Should I add a transcript to my podcast? ›

A podcast transcript increases your chances of getting quoted in a tweet, blog, or article, which improves page authority and SEO. If you don't have a transcript and someone hears something they want to quote on your podcast, they would have to transcribe the quote themselves to share the content.

Does Apple check transcripts? ›

By default, Apple stores transcripts of your audio interactions and your text inputs for two years and may review a subset of these transcripts.

Does Apple have live transcribe? ›

Live Transcribe is an app that provides real-time speech-to-text transcription to make voice notes easily using only your iPhone.

How much does it cost to transcribe a podcast? ›

Podcast Transcription Service | From $0.84/min.

Where can I get podcast transcripts? ›

How to get transcripts for any podcasts?
  • Step 1: Find the audio file. Listen Notes is the best podcast search engine. It's like Google, but for podcasts. ...
  • Step 2: Transcribe the audio file. Once you have the audio file, you can easily transcribe it. There are many options:
Oct 11, 2022

How many podcasts have transcripts? ›

As of March 2022, only 1% of today's podcasts offer transcripts. That means 99% of podcasts are exclusionary to the 11.5 million Americans who are D/deaf or hard of hearing.

Is there a free voice recording app that transcribes? ›

Otter transcribes all your meetings, interviews, lectures, and everyday voice conversations in real time, so you can focus on the discussion. Get automated notes for: in-person, Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

How do I get 1000 listeners for my podcast? ›

Use actionable language that accurately reflects the content of your episode, and be sure to include relevant keywords that will help your podcast rank in search engines. Keep your episodes updated regularly, and promote new ones across your social media channels and website to help drive traffic and build an audience.

How do I make my podcast more searchable? ›

Consider the following 10 ways you can optimize your podcast for search.
  1. Make a Podcast Website or Page. ...
  2. Optimize Your Show's Description. ...
  3. Syndicate to Google Podcasts. ...
  4. Plan Your Episodes Around Keywords. ...
  5. Make Shorter Episodes. ...
  6. Optimize Episode Titles. ...
  7. Optimize Show Notes. ...
  8. Write Blog Posts Based on Episodes.

What is the number 1 podcast on Apple podcast? ›

1 ▶–Lionsgate Sound Scamanda
2 ▶–Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett SmartLess
3 ▲36MSNBC Prosecuting Donald Trump
4 ▶–NBC News Dateline NBC
5 ▼1The New York Times The Daily
95 more rows

What is the best gain level for podcast? ›

Generally, a peak level of -1.0 dB is good for podcasts, as this level will ensure your audio sounds good when it's converted to a lossy format like MP3 or AAC.

How do you rate 5 stars on Apple podcast? ›

In the Podcasts app on your Mac, click Shows below Library in the sidebar, or search for a show. Select a show, scroll down to the Ratings & Reviews section near the bottom of the page, then do any of the following: Rate a show: Click a star to select a rating.

How do I get my first 100 podcast listeners? ›

  1. Focus on “who” before “how” ...
  2. Solve your listeners' problems. ...
  3. Plant the seeds for your podcast on social media. ...
  4. Book guests who bring listeners with them. ...
  5. Write an episode description they can't resist. ...
  6. Invite 10 people to share your first episode. ...
  7. Published is better than perfect.
Feb 11, 2022

What is the overtake on Apple Podcasts? ›

The Overtake provides a glimpse into the fast paced and ever-changing automotive industry. Host John Bozzella of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation takes listeners inside the industry to hear the stories of politics, policy, and technology creating a cleaner, safer, and smarter automotive future. Hosted on Acast.

What is a good number of podcast subscribers? ›

5,000 listeners per episode almost guarantees a successful monetization. This is where a lot of interesting things start happening. Having more than 5,000 listeners per episode makes a podcast over 29 times more likely to be monetized successfully.

How do I clear podcast cache on iPhone? ›

How to Clear Podcasts Storage on iPhone & iPad
  1. Head over to “Settings” on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. In the settings menu, scroll down and tap on “General”.
  3. Now, choose “iPhone Storage” to view your stored data.
  4. Here, scroll down and find the Podcasts app. ...
  5. Now, you'll see a list of downloaded podcasts at the bottom.
Jan 22, 2021

How do I find my Apple podcast queue? ›

In the Podcasts app's Listen Now tab, tap See All alongside "Up Next" to reveal the full queue.

Where are podcast settings? ›

To change these settings:
  • On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Podcasts app .
  • At the bottom, tap Home .
  • At the top right, tap your Profile picture or initial Podcast settings. For completed episodes, tap Remove completed episodes and choose a time period.

What is the difference between download and save Podcasts? ›

When you download a podcast episode, you can listen to it offline. When you save a podcast episode, you can refer back to it by going into your podcasts folder but you cannot listen to it offline.

How do I clean up my podcast app? ›

  1. Go to your Podcasts history in My Activity.
  2. Choose what you want to delete: All your Podcasts history: Below the search bar, tap Delete. Specific day: Next to the day, tap Delete all activity from [day] . Specific activity: Below the activity, tap Details at the top, tap More Delete.

What audio settings for Podcasts? ›

The standard of measurement of the loudness of a piece of audio is LUFS, or “loudness units relative to full scale.” Although there isn't an industry standard for loudness, the ideal audio level for a podcast should fall between -20 and -16 LUFS.

What are the Privacy features of iPhone 13? ›

Email Privacy Protection on iPhone 13

This iOS 15 security feature hides your IP address so your other online activity and location. You'll also block senders from seeing if you've opened their email. To ensure the feature is enabled, go to Settings > Mail > Privacy Protection and toggle on Protect Mail Activity.

How do I change permissions on my iPhone 13? ›

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, then tap App Privacy Report. The App Privacy Report shows you how apps are using the permissions you granted them and shows you their network activity.

Is listening to a podcast as good as reading a book? ›

One study by Beth Rogowsky, associate professor of education at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, asking students either to read a nonfiction book or listen to the audio version, found no significant differences in how much of it they absorbed.

What should a podcast transcript look like? ›

A podcast transcript references your podcast. It creates a word for word information on every word said on your podcast and also adds timestamps to let listeners know when it was mentioned. If you do not want to go through the trouble of transcribing your podcast show manual… this can be automated.

How often should I record my podcast? ›

Now, ideally, for a very generalized audience speaking in very broad general terms here, once a week is a good release schedule. just about anybody can find time to listen to one podcast episode per week. And it keeps you in their mind fresh every week.

Are podcast listeners educated? ›

More specifically, they are 50 percent more likely to have graduated college and have a post-graduate degree.

How long does it take to transcribe a podcast? ›

Now that you know what factors contribute to transcription time, here is how the speed breaks down for the average person and the professional. The average person can transcribe one audio hour in about 4 hours. It takes most people about one hour to transcribe 15 minutes of a clear, slow audio file.

Are you supposed to hear yourself when recording a podcast? ›

Hearing yourself while recording will allow you to make those tiny sound adjustments along the way that keep your sound quality high. After all, sound quality is one of the biggest keys to a successful podcast!

Does Apple podcast have transcripts? ›

To search podcast transcripts in the Apple Podcasts app, you simply search for the key term in the search bar. Go to the Podcasts app, type your key term into the search bar, and search!

What is the purpose of a transcript on a podcast? ›

Put simply, a podcast transcript is a document that lays out, word-for-word, what was spoken during your podcast episode. You can type these yourself or hire a transcription company to do it for you.

Can you get a transcript of a voice recording on iPhone? ›

Download your Voice Memo from the “Voice Memos” iPhone App

Click the voice memo you want to transcribe, and then click the three dots at to the bottom left. Then click “Save to Files” or “Share” to a cloud storage solution like your Dropbox.

Can you get text transcripts for iPhone? ›

To print messages from your iPhone for court, or print messages for backup, you can use an iPhone data manager called AnyTrans. You just need to connect your iPhone to a computer and click the Print button, text message transcripts will be printed for your needs.

How do I get transcripts from my iPhone audio recording? ›

Use Siri: If you have iOS 14 or later, you can use Siri to transcribe your voice memos. Simply ask Siri to “transcribe my voice memo” or “convert my voice memo to text,” and Siri will transcribe the memo for you.

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