Google has posted a document about upcoming changes to the Google podcasting requirements coming by September 21, 2021. All podcast RSS feeds must now include more details on the show level to be eligible to appear in Google Search and Podcasts recommendations.
Google emailed me saying "on September 21, 2021, Google will begin enforcing updated information requirements for all podcasts on the Google Podcasts platform. A podcast that does not provide the required information cannot appear in Google Podcasts recommendations. The podcast can still appear in Google and Google Podcasts search results and users can continue to subscribe to it."
All podcast RSS feeds must now include the following information at the show level (i.e. elements directly under the channel tag) to be eligible to appear in Google's podcast recommendations:
- A valid, crawlable image: This image must be accessible to Google (not blocked to Google's crawler, or require a login). See the RSS tag specifics.
- A show description: Include a user-friendly show description that accurately describes the show. See the RSS tag specifics.
- A valid owner email address: This email address is used to verify show ownership. You must have access to email sent to this address. See the RSS tag specifics.
- A link to a homepage for the show: Linking your podcast to a homepage will help the discovery and presentation of your podcast on Google surfaces. Learn how to link to a homepage in code.
- The podcast author's name: A name to show in Google Podcasts as the author of the podcast. Does not need to be the same as the owner. See the RSS tag specifics.
On September 21st, any podcasts still missing any of these requirements will not be eligible for Google recommendations. The podcasts will continue to be searchable and be displayed on the user subscription list in Google Podcasts. Google will continue to crawl your podcasts regularly and can surface them in recommendations within 48 hours once all requirements have been implemented.
More details can be found in this Google Podcasts Help thread.
I received this email notification but here is the screenshot from Azeem who posted it on Twitter:
@rustybrick just had this email - upcoming changes to Google podcasting requirements.
— Azeem (@AzeemDigital) August 12, 2021
RSS feeds need updating to include all of the information below before September 21st. pic.twitter.com/StIiozE2EE
Forum discussion at Google Podcasts Help.
