Podcasting has a tonne of strengths, however one in every of its greatest is its decentralised nature. A podcaster can add their content material to a internet hosting supplier, and it may be consumed and loved by folks by way of many various platforms, apps, and directories.
This was all made doable due to RSS, a 25-year-old expertise that shaped the foundations podcasting was built on.
As you possibly can think about, this “discover us wherever you get your podcasts” strategy has benefited the medium. It will probably’t be owned or managed by anyone firm, and it meets listeners on their very own phrases.
However, RSS-based podcast distribution in its conventional type has its challenges, too.
For instance, if one listening app provides you entry to monetisation instruments, these instruments will solely be obtainable on that particular platform. And that may make up a tiny per cent of your general listenership.
Or, if one other app has a feedback function, any feedback left by listeners will solely be seen in that particular app.
So, though the way in which podcasting works is nice – it may be even higher. That’s why the Podcasting 2.0 initiative exists.
Sam Sethi is the Chief Evangelist for the Podcast Standards Project. He’s additionally the CEO of TrueFans, the RSS Market for Indie Content material Creators, and the Podnews Weekly Review co-host.
What’s Podcasting 2.0?
Podcasting 2.0 is a set of podcasters, app builders, and internet hosting suppliers who need to construct on and improve the way in which podcasts are distributed.
That is carried out by developing with and constructing new options (additionally referred to as tags) that numerous platforms can implement and help.
What’s the Podcast Namespace?
The Podcast Namespace is a core part of the Podcasting 2.0 initiative. It refers back to the aforementioned tags, which could be added to a podcast’s RSS feed to permit for prolonged metadata and options. These tags are designed to work throughout the current framework of podcasting however add performance that wasn’t beforehand doable.
Key Options & Advantages of Podcasting 2.0
While there’s actually no restrict to the options that may be created and supported throughout a spread of various apps, listed below are some current ones which are being championed by the podcasting 2.0 initiative proper now.
Cross-App Feedback enable listeners to depart feedback on podcast episodes, which different listeners can see and work together with throughout numerous podcast apps that help this function.
Monetisation (Worth for Worth)
Worth for Worth (V4V) is a monetisation methodology that focuses on direct help from listeners moderately than conventional promoting or subscription fashions. This may be carried out by way of small, voluntary funds referred to as “micropayments” or “sats” (brief for satoshis, that are tiny models of Bitcoin).
Dwell Podcasting
The Dwell Merchandise Tag (LIT) function permits real-time broadcasts just like stay radio reveals. It enhances listener engagement by way of options like “boostagrams” for fast suggestions and donations. LIT helps audio and video streaming, seamlessly integrates with the podcast ecosystem, and utilises current RSS feeds. For a deeper dive on this, take a look at How Podcasting 2.0 Has LIT Up the Impact of Live Shows.
What are “Boostagrams”?
Boostagrams are messages despatched by listeners to podcasters together with a small fee or tip. This function combines the monetary help of micro-payments with a messaging system, permitting listeners to ship feedback, suggestions, or help notes on to podcasters as they ship financial contributions.
Different Episode Recordsdata
The Alternate Enclosure function permits podcasters to supply further variations of their media recordsdata. This will embody decrease bitrates to cater to audiences with various web speeds, completely different codecs (like video episodes), or variations of the episode in a number of completely different languages.
Chapter Markers
Chapter markers are timestamps inside a podcast episode that divide the content material into segments or chapters. Every chapter can have a title and, generally, further metadata like photographs or hyperlinks. Podcasting 2.0 has launched new requirements and tags to make chapter markers extra strong and broadly supported throughout completely different platforms and apps.
Individual Tag
The individual tag is a metadata tag that podcasters can use to offer detailed details about the folks concerned in making a podcast. This will embody hosts, co-hosts, friends, producers, and different contributors. Listeners can uncover different works by the identical individual, enhancing content material discovery throughout completely different podcasts.
Transcripts
The Podcasting 2.0 initiative permits transcripts to be included within the podcast’s RSS feed utilizing new tags particularly designed for this objective. Podcast apps that help the Podcasting 2.0 initiative can learn these tags and show transcripts natively throughout the app interface, making it seamless for listeners to entry. Podcasting 2.0 introduces new tags within the RSS feed particularly for transcripts, permitting podcasters to incorporate a number of sorts of transcripts (e.g., full, abstract, chapter-wise).
Podcast Discovery
Individually, these options supply a great deal of potential advantages to podcasters. Collectively, all of them improve podcast discovery indirectly. The Individual Tag and different enhanced metadata, mixed with the elevated searchability of transcripts and chapters, may assist a podcast be discovered by of us occupied with that subject, decreasing the reliance on “boring however apparent” podcast names or over-the-top clickbaity episode titles.
Who Helps Podcasting 2.0?
When you suppose all of this seems like a constructive step for podcasting, the place are one of the best locations to control issues and keep up-to-date?
Organisations
Platforms
The Podcast Index maintains and updates an exhaustive list of apps, directories, and hosting platforms that support Podcasting 2.0 in any method. Listed here are some highlights:
For Internet hosting
Blubrry, Podhome, Sovereign Feeds, RSS Blue, and CastGarden are the 5 internet hosting suppliers listed with probably the most supported options by The Podcast Index.
Different notable hosts talked about are RSS.com, Castopod, Captivate, Transistor, Buzzsprout, RedCircle, Castos, Libsyn, Spreaker, and Simplecast.
Podcast web site makers Podpage and Podcastpage.io are featured, too.
For Listening
The Podcast Index lists TrueFans, Podverse, Podcast Guru, Fountain, and Podfriend because the 5 podcast gamers with probably the most supported options.
Different notable apps talked about are Podcast Addict, Pocketcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Apple Podcasts solely helps the Transcript tag, however that is nonetheless important for the Podcasting 2.0 initiative, given Apple’s dimension and attain.
What Can You Do to Help Podcasting 2.0?
Alright, so should you suppose this seems like a constructive initiative, what are you able to really do about it? Right here’s a abstract of Sam Sethi’s key takeaways:
As a Podcaster
Discover a podcast internet hosting service that helps Podcasting 2.0 options just like the individual tag and transcript tag. Begin utilising these options by including related knowledge to your podcast. Some hosts make this as straightforward as getting into your episode title.
Additionally, use your Calls to Motion to encourage listeners to check out apps that help Podcasting 2.0 options.
As a Podcast Client
Following on from the above, should you’re a podcast fan, attempt utilizing an app that helps Podcasting 2.0 options. They’re free, and you’ll check out just a few if you wish to discover one you actually like. Entry any Podcasting 2.0 options or advantages that curiosity you, and unfold the phrase amongst different podcast listeners.
An enormous because of Sam Sethi for serving to us break these items down. As soon as once more, you’ll discover him on the Podcast Standards Project, TrueFans, and on the Podnews Weekly Review.
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