How to get universal links to your podcast for everyone
Not everyone uses iPhones: in fact, across the world, only 20% of people do. But many podcasters only link to Apple Podcasts pages - which, while they play, aren’t ideal for Android phones or for most laptops.
Instead, there are a number of tools that you can use for your own podcast that, when clicked, sense what your listener is using and opens the right app, or take you to apps that your listener might have.
So, it’s as easy as just putting a link like https://podnews.net/listen on your social media, for example - which should open Apple Podcasts automatically for iPhones, but will show a page with choices for Android.
Universal links
Podfollow gives everyone a link like http://podfollow.com/1325018583, and lets you claim your podcast to get customisable links like https://podfollow.com/podnews which point wherever you’d like it to. You can also link to specific episodes. It has a web player if you need one; and it has full stats, in beta. It’s free.
Episodes.fm gives a list of apps, and remembers what app a user clicks on (so next time it’ll take you straight to the app of your choice). It also lets you link direct to episodes as well.
Spotify’s Podlink gives everyone a link like https://pod.link/1325018583, and contains a set of links to many different podcast apps, episode links, and a player. It’s free; you can upgrade to get a “vanity link” like https://pod.link/podnews too. However, it’s run by Spotify, and we’re not convinced that it has a long-term future within the company.
Linkfire looks a bit like a Linktree-type page, but it offers one specific tool: a way for you to measure how many actual Apple Podcasts listeners it’s sent your way. It’s a paid service.
OnlyPod Link offers a customiseable Linkedtree-like experience, with analytics and links to your latest episode.
Pod1 is very customisable, letting you link to apps, give a clear call-to-action, and plays the audio then and there, too. We’re at https://pod1.co/podnews if you want to take a look.
Podkite’s Kitelinks let you claim your podcast to give you a link like https://kite.link/podnews, and you can also link to episodes. Paid users also get a method for their users to submit reviews directly to Apple Podcasts and Podchaser. It’s free to start.
Plink gives everyone a link like https://plinkhq.com/i/1325018583 and a page like https://plinkhq.com/i/1325018583?to=page with more options. It’s free; you can upgrade to get custom links like http://plnk.to/podnews with additional features.
Podnews is - wait, it’s this site. But it gives everyone a link like https://podnews.net/podcast/i5hv2/listen which opens Apple or a web player depending on what device your listeners are using.
All these universal links work really well with a QR code, too - so you can just scan and click with any phone. Podnews has a QR code on every podcast page, pointing to our own universal link; but you can use sites like QR Code Monkey to generate a QR code for whatever universal link you’d like to use.
QR codes are great for use in business cards, or on exhibition table stands, too - and could be the fastest way to get new subscribers to your podcast.
Your own podcast host
Your own podcast host’s page may well offer a simple, clear method of listening on any device - whether it’s just a set of links, or some more clever services. Pros: it’s what you pay for; cons: if you ever change podcast host, all these old links will stop working.
Your own website
This is by far the best solution, as long as your website is clear and simple for listeners to see how to listen on their own device.
Your own website is also a great choice. We recommend it displays the official Apple and Spotify badges above the fold, so people instantly know what to click on. (For those buttons, search for your podcast and click the “link to this podcast” link towards the bottom).
Don’t have a website? No problem.
Podpage is a well-designed website for your podcast, taking all the hassle away from running your own website. It updates free, too.
Podcastpage charges a small monthly fee including a custom domain.
We’d highly recommend using a custom domain with these services: it means you remain in control, and can switch to a different provider at any time.
Spotted any other great ways to link to your podcast? Drop us a mail to let us know.
