How do I ensure my podcast artwork meets the requirements for submission to Apple Podcasts?

To submit your RSS feed to Apple Podcasts, your podcast's artwork, which is your profile picture on SoundCloud, must meet specific size requirements. The image must be at least 1400x1400 pixels and no larger than 3000x3000 pixels. If your artwork doesn't meet these specifications, you will receive an error from Apple Podcasts stating, “Podcast cover art must be at least 1400 X 1400 pixel JPG or PNG, in RGB color space, and hosted on a server that allows HTTP head requests.”

How can I check my podcast artwork's pixel dimensions?

1. Saved File on Your Computer:

   • On a Mac:
     • Open the image file in Preview.
     • Click on "Tools" in the top menu and select "Show Inspector."
     • A pop-up window will appear, showing the pixel height and width of your image under 'Image size.'
   • On a PC:
     • Right-click on the image file, select "Properties," and then check under the "Summary" tab.
       
       

2. From Your RSS Feed:

   • Access your RSS feed through your Content Settings page on SoundCloud.
   • Copy the link within the <itunes:image> tag.
   • Open your console, hover over the img style tag, and you will see the pixel dimensions of your artwork.

What should I do after updating my podcast artwork?

After updating your profile picture to meet the required dimensions, you can validate your RSS feed to ensure it meets Apple’s requirements by using Podbase: https://podba.se/validate/.

How do I submit or refresh my podcast on Apple Podcasts?

1. Go to the Apple Podcasts Connect portal: http://podcastsconnect.apple.com/.
2. Click on your podcast to view details.
3. Click the “Refresh” button to trigger Apple to re-check your feed.

How long does it take for changes to be reflected on Apple Podcasts?

Please allow up to 24 hours for Apple Podcasts to update your podcast after making changes.

Podcast Artwork Specifications Checklist

1. Image Dimensions:
   • Minimum Size: 1400x1400 pixels
   • Maximum Size: 3000x3000 pixels
2. File Format:
   • Accepted Formats: JPG or PNG
3. Color Space:
   • Required Color Space: RGB
4. File Hosting:
   • Ensure the image is hosted on a server that supports HTTP head requests.
5. File Size:
   • Recommended File Size: Keep the file size as small as possible without compromising quality to ensure faster loading times.

Template for Artwork Validation

• Step 1: Prepare your artwork ensuring the dimensions are between 1400x1400 pixels and 3000x3000 pixels.
• Step 2: Save the file in either JPG or PNG format, using the RGB color space.
• Step 3: Upload your artwork to a reliable server that supports HTTP head requests.
• Step 4: Validate your RSS feed by visiting Podbase to ensure it meets Apple’s requirements.
• Step 5: Submit your podcast to Apple Podcasts via Apple Podcasts Connect, and use the "Refresh" option to update your feed.