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How to Record a Podcast on Spotify: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

By Hollyland | September 21, 2026

Starting a podcast has never been more accessible. Spotify now gives creators a free, all-in-one platform to record, edit, and publish directly from a phone or browser. This guide walks you through every step, from creating your account to hitting publish, so you can get your first episode live without needing a studio or expensive software.

How to Record a Podcast on Spotify: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

What Is Spotify for Podcasters?

Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor) is Spotify’s free creator platform for recording, editing, and distributing podcasts. You will not find any recording tools inside the regular Spotify listener app; instead, you need to visit podcasters.spotify.com or download the dedicated Spotify for Podcasters mobile app. From one dashboard, the platform handles your entire workflow at no cost.

  • Key point: Spotify for Podcasters covers recording, editing, hosting, and RSS distribution with no third-party host required.

What You Need Before You Start

Before you record your first episode, make sure you have a few basics in place. None of these require a big budget or any technical background.

What You Need Before You Start

  • A free Spotify account (or create one at spotify.com)
  • A smartphone (iOS or Android) or a desktop computer
  • A stable internet connection
  • Headphones for monitoring your audio while recording
  • Optionally, an external microphone for better sound quality

Gear Checklist

Your phone’s built-in microphone can get you started, but even a modest upgrade makes a clear difference in how your final audio sounds.

  • Smartphone or computer: Either works; the mobile app offers more editing features than the desktop browser version.
  • Headphones: Any pair helps you catch background noise or distortion in real time during recording.
  • External microphone (recommended): For phone-based recording, the Hollyland LARK A1 is worth considering. It connects via USB-C or Lightning with no driver installation required, and its three-level AI noise cancellation reduces room noise and handling sounds before the audio reaches your phone. For creators planning co-hosted shows or interviews, the Hollyland LARK MAX 2 offers a proportional step up with 48 kHz/32-bit Float recording, AI Noise Cancellation, and wireless monitoring through OWS earphones.

How to Set Up Your Spotify for Podcasters Account

Account setup takes about five to ten minutes. Complete this before you record, because your show profile is required before any episode can be published.

  1. Go to creators.spotify.com or open the Spotify for Creators app on your phone.
  2. Sign in with your existing Spotify account or tap “Sign up” to create one for free.
  3. Select “Get started” and then choose “Create a new show.”
  1. Click on “Set up your show” to edit your name. Pick something descriptive and memorable, since this name appears across all distribution platforms.
  2. Write your show description. Summarize what your podcast covers in two to three sentences. Include relevant keywords naturally, as this text surfaces in Spotify and podcast directory search results.
  3. Select your primary language and category. These settings help Spotify recommend your show to the right audience.
  1. Upload your cover art. Spotify requires a square image with a minimum size of 1400×1400 px; 3000×3000 px is the recommended resolution for the sharpest display across all devices. PNG and JPG formats are accepted.
  1. Toggle the explicit content setting if your show includes mature language.
  2. Save your profile. Your show page is now created and ready for its first episode.

Note: Your cover art is the first thing potential listeners see in any podcast directory. Even a simple, readable design with your show name performs better than a blank or low-resolution placeholder.

How to Record a Podcast Episode on Spotify for Creators

Since Spotify no longer includes recording tools, your episode gets recorded and finished outside the platform, then uploaded as a completed file. The workflow below covers both desktop and phone-based recording, and neither requires paid software to get a publishable result. 

How to Record a Podcast Episode on Spotify for Podcasters

Method 1 — Record on a Computer (Windows or Mac) 

Audacity (Windows, macOS, Linux) and GarageBand (macOS) are both free and cover everything a solo or two-person show needs.

  1. Prepare your equipment and surroundings. Record in a small, soft-furnished room with fans and air conditioning off, and monitor with headphones.
  2. Configure your recording software. Select your microphone as the input, and change the settings of your recording software based on your gear. If your microphone records at 44.1 kHz, set your project input to the same rate.
  3. Edit out stutters and silences. Trim dead air at both ends, cut long pauses, and remove any sections you re-recorded.
  4. Set your loudness to Spotify’s target. Aim for −14 LUFS integrated with a true peak below −1 dBTP; in Audacity, this is under Effect > Volume and Compression > Loudness Normalization.
  1. Add background music and ad reads. Place them on separate tracks and lower the music so it sits underneath your voice. 
  2. Export as WAV or MP3. WAV keeps full quality at a larger size; MP3 at 192 kbps or higher is smaller and still clean.

Method 2 — Record on Your Phone 

Phone recording is the fastest route to a finished episode, especially paired with an external mic.

  • Use your phone’s voice recorder (Voice Memos on iOS, Recorder on Android) or any third-party app that exports MP3, M4A, or WAV.
  • Record in one take, pausing and resuming as needed. This leaves you with a single file instead of a dozen clips to stitch together.
  • Leave a short gap after any mistake. The silence shows up in the waveform, making the bad take easy to find and trim.

Pro Tip: Clip a wireless lavalier to your collar rather than holding the phone near your face. The Hollyland LARK A1 connects via USB-C or Lightning with no drivers and applies AI noise cancellation before the audio reaches your phone.

Hollyland LARK A1 - Affordable Wireless Microphone

Hollyland LARK A1 - Affordable Wireless Microphone

A perfect starter mic for creators on a budget. It’s simple to use and features effective noise cancellation.

Key Features: 48kHz/24-bit | 3-Level Noise Cancellation | 54-Hour Battery

Learn More

How to Publish Your Podcast Episode

With your episode edited and ready, the publishing step is straightforward. Spending a few extra minutes on your metadata pays off in discoverability across every platform that carries your show.

  1. Add an episode title. Make it descriptive and keyword-relevant. A title like “Episode 1” ranks poorly in search; something like “How to Build a Morning Routine: Simple Habits for Busy People” performs far better.
  2. Write the episode description. Summarize the episode content in two to four sentences. Include the main topic and any guest names. This text appears on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other directories where listeners search.
  1. Set a publish date. Choose “Publish immediately” to go live right away, or schedule a future date and time if you want to batch-record episodes in advance.
  2. Add episode chapters (optional). Chapters let listeners jump to specific segments. Add a timestamp and label for each chapter to improve the experience, particularly for longer episodes.
  1. Designate the episode type. Select “Episode” for regular content, “Trailer” for a short preview, or “Bonus” for supplementary material. This tag appears in podcast apps and helps set listener expectations.
  2. Tap “Publish.” Your episode is submitted to Spotify and typically goes live within a few hours. Spotify for Podcasters also automatically generates an RSS feed for your show, which you can submit to Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and other directories from the Distribution tab in your dashboard.

Tips to Improve Your Podcast Audio Quality on Spotify

Clean audio keeps listeners engaged and reflects well on your show. These tips apply regardless of which recording method you choose and require no expensive equipment.

Tips to Improve Your Podcast Audio Quality on Spotify

  • Record in a small, soft-furnished room. Bookshelves, carpets, sofas, and heavy curtains all absorb sound and reduce echo. Avoid tiled rooms or bare-walled spaces.
  • Use a closet if no treated space is available. Hanging clothes act as natural acoustic treatment and reduce room reverb noticeably.
  • Keep microphone distance consistent between sessions. Even a small change in how far your mouth is from the mic produces audible differences across episodes.
  • Stay away from HVAC vents, fans, and open windows while recording. These are the most common sources of low-frequency rumble and wind noise in home setups.
  • Monitor with headphones while recording. Listening in real time lets you catch problems, like a distant mic or unexpected noise, before they run through an entire session.
  • Speak at a steady pace and consistent volume. Large volume swings are harder to correct in editing than they are to prevent during delivery.
  • Consider a wireless clip-on mic for phone recording. A device like the Hollyland LARK A1 stays close to your mouth regardless of how you hold your phone, giving you consistently better pickup than a built-in microphone.

FAQ

Is Spotify for Podcasters free to use?

Yes. Spotify for Podcasters is completely free, with no subscription fees, hosting charges, or publishing limits. You can record, host, and distribute an unlimited number of episodes at no cost. Spotify generates revenue through listener advertising on its platform, so creators are not billed for the underlying hosting infrastructure.

Can I record a podcast with a co-host on Spotify for Podcasters?

The platform’s built-in remote co-recording feature has been deprecated. The current approach is to have each person record their audio separately using the Spotify for Podcasters app or another recording tool, then import both files into the episode editor and arrange them as clips. For live remote sessions, tools like Riverside.fm or Zencastr record each participant locally before you import files.

What audio format should I record in for Spotify?

Spotify recommends uploading MP3 files at a minimum of 128 kbps. For noticeably cleaner audio, aim for 192 kbps to 320 kbps. WAV files can also be uploaded directly, and the platform processes them on import. Avoid very low bitrates of 64 kbps or below, as compression artifacts become clearly audible to listeners.

How long does it take for my podcast to appear on Spotify after publishing?

Most episodes go live within a few hours of tapping “Publish.” Your first episode may take up to 24 hours to appear as Spotify indexes a brand-new show. Subsequent episodes on an established feed typically populate much faster, often within one to two hours.

Can I edit a podcast episode after publishing on Spotify for Podcasters?

Yes. The episode title, description, and show notes can be updated at any time after publishing. Full audio file replacement has limited support, and the available options have changed across platform updates, so check the current support documentation for your account type if you need to swap audio entirely.

Start Recording and Build From There

Spotify for Podcasters removes nearly every technical barrier between you and a published episode. Set up your account, record using the mobile app or by importing a file, and hit publish. Once your first episode is live, focus on releasing consistently, refining your audio setup one step at a time, and writing strong episode descriptions to help new listeners find your show. For more on leveling up your production, see our guides on choosing the best podcast microphone and how to grow a podcast audience.

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