Get Your Podcast Ready for iOS11

Apple recently announced that Apple Podcasts (Apple’s podcast App) for iOS 11 will be updated with new feed tags.  Apple states this will allow you to more clearly present show and episode information to your users. Additionally, you can include diverse content and storytelling shows within your podcast (for example, serial shows and shows with seasons).

Podbean has integrated the new iTunes tags into your Podbean dashboard.  Please note that these new tags will only take effect (be included in your feed) when iOS11 is released. However, to get your podcast ready to benefit from the iOS11 updates, you can make any changes your desire in your podcast now.

iTunes New Feed Tags Explained

<itunes:type>

The type of podcast you are submitting can be either:

1. Episodic (default). Specify episodic for stand-alone episodes or when you want your episodes presented and recommended last-to-first. This option also supports seasons, with the newest episode at the top. For new subscribers, Apple Podcasts adds the latest, most recent episode in their Library.
2. Specify serial when you want your episodes presented and recommended first-to-last. This option supports narratives, storytelling, thematic, and multiple seasons. For new subscribers, Apple Podcasts adds the first episode to their Library, or the entire current season if using seasons.

<itunes:season>

Identifies and organizes episodes by Seasons. No season number shows if there is only one season.

<itunes:episode>

Use this tag to specify the recommended order for episodes within a season.

<itunes:episodeType>

You can indicate certain types of episodes in iTunes using this tag. They are:

1. Full (default). Specify full when you are submitting the complete content of an episode.
2. Specify trailer when you are submitting a short, promotional piece of content that represents a preview of a show.
3. Specify bonus when you are submitting extra content for a show (for example, behind the scenes information or interviews with the cast).

How to Set the New iOS11 iTunes Feed Tags in Podbean

Set Podcast Type: Episodic/Serial:

1. Go to Settings-Feed/iTunes. Find “iTunes Type”
2. Choose episodic or serial. Podcasts will be set as episodic by default.

Set Podcast Seasons:

1. Go to Publish. Click “Publish New Episode” or click the edit icon by any episode. Click “More Options” in the episode editor.
2. By default, it is set off. Click it on and pick the season for this episode (click “more” to add season 2 and beyond to your drop down menu).

Set Episode Type:

1. Go to Publish. Click “Publish New Episode” or click the edit icon by any episode. Click “More Options” in the episode editor.
2. By default, episodes are set to “Full”. Choose “Trailer” or “Bonus” here.