Podcast Search Optimization | Should you use AI for Show Notes?

Podcasting has exploded in popularity over the last few years, and while you may have been able to just hit record and publish an episode back in the day, times are changing. Podcasts are now an essential part of many businesses’ marketing strategies. If you want your podcast to grow and convert, visibility matters. And with big visibility goals comes Podcast Search Optimization (PSO). A big part of PSO is your podcast show notes (AKA, the visible piece of your podcast that gets your show seen by your ideal listeners and provides additional value). With the rise of AI, the question is, should you use AI for show notes as a podcaster? In this blog post, we’re answering this question and diving into how podcast search optimization works and why a hybrid approach (AI + human) drives the best results.

What is Podcast Search Optimization (PSO)?

Podcast Search Optimization (PSO) refers to optimizing your podcast to show up in search results within podcast apps (like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) and in traditional search engines like Google. Think of it as the podcasting cousin of SEO.

When done right, PSO helps you get found by the right people in the right places.

What Does Podcast Search Optimization (PSO) Include?

In order to have a strong Podcast Search Optimization (PSO) strategy, there’s a few key elements to include for every episode:

• Podcast title: Clear, descriptive, relevant, and keyword-rich (without stuffing).
• Episode titles: Direct, compelling, and include searchable terms.
• Episode descriptions: Include relevant keywords early, answer listener questions, and clarify the content.
• Host/author field: Can include strategic, authority-building terms (e.g., “Marketing Expert | Sarah Smith”).
• Tags/categories: Aligned with your niche and listener intent.
• Transcripts: Full transcripts help with accessibility and boost Google indexing.
• Trailer episode: Can improve early discoverability when optimized.

 

In short, PSO = intentional podcast setup + strategic content descriptions.

What are Search-Optimized Podcast Show Notes?

Many people often get confused between podcast show notes and episode descriptions. Are they the same? Different? Do they overlap? I wrote a whole blog post comparing the two, so check that out here on my blog. 

 

For the purpose of this post, search-optimized podcast show notes are episode descriptions written both with your ideal audience and search engines in mind. They help episodes get found on Google and increase engagement once someone lands on the page.

 

Search-optimized podcast show notes serve as a combination of listener guide, SEO blog post, and lead-generation tool.

 

While audio content is powerful, convenient, and versatile, it’s also nice to have a visual, skimmable companion to turn to for referencing key takeaways, finding links, etc. 

Good podcast show notes typically include: 

• A keyword-rich summary or question that your ideal listener might Google.
• Subheadings, bullets, or timestamps for easy reading and skimming.
• Relevant target keywords placed naturally in the content (e.g., “how to launch a podcast,” “podcast mic setup”).
• Links to your website, offers, freebies, guest websites, etc.
• A short blog-style section to provide more context for Google indexing.

Show notes aren’t just fluff & filler, they’re prime real estate for visibility, authority, and engagement.

Podcast Search Optimization vs Search-Optimized Show Notes

At first glance, Podcast Search Optimization (PSO) and search-optimized show notes might sound like the same thing, but they actually play different roles in your podcast’s visibility and performance.

Podcast Search Optimization (PSO) is the overall strategy that helps your entire podcast get found, both in podcast directories (like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc) and on search engines like Google. It includes everything from your show’s title and category to the way you structure your episode titles and author field. It’s the big-picture visibility blueprint.

Search-optimized show notes, on the other hand, zoom in on the individual episodes. These are the episode descriptions you publish alongside each new release, and when done strategically, they help that specific episode:

• Appear in Google search results.
• Get indexed more effectively by platforms.
• Convert new listeners into leads or subscribers.
• Guide returning listeners to click, share, or take action.

Think of it this way:

• PSO = getting found in podcast directories + Google. 
• Search-optimized show notes = helping each episode rank and convert better, thus, working harder for your brand. 

When these two pieces are aligned, your podcast doesn’t just exist on the internet, it performs. That’s the difference between simply hitting “record” and throwing episodes out into the digital air and actually growing your show strategically.

 

Should You Use AI for Podcast Show Notes?

Now that you know what good search-optimized show notes include and how they work inside the overall PSO strategy, it’s time to answer the burning question: should you use AI for podcast show notes?

AI tools can certainly help streamline your workflow and make it easier to produce more content in less time. 

But not all AI-generated show notes are created equal. 

While AI can be a helpful starting point, relying on it blindly can dilute brand voice, misrepresent context, or leave SEO opportunities on the table, especially for established brands where positioning and tone matter most.

AI is a powerful tool, not a replacement for strategy or human touch.

Podcast show notes need strategic oversight for entrepreneurial brands where messaging, nuance, and authority are everything. 

The sweet spot? Pair AI’s speed with expert strategy and brand-aligned editing.

I recommend using AI to jumpstart show note structure or draft bullet points, then apply that human touch to ensure your unique tone and messaging is present and your SEO goals are met. 

Remember… AI is smart, but it makes mistakes, so always double-check its accuracy and alignment. 

 

Make Your Podcast Content Work Smarter (Not Harder)

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose between quality and efficiency when it comes to podcast visibility. 

AI can absolutely help streamline the process (like drafting quick bulleted sections, pulling timestamps, or transcribing content), but without strategic oversight, those outputs often miss the mark. Generic AI-generated show notes won’t drive clicks, reflect your brand voice, or unlock the full potential of your podcast content.

That’s why we believe the sweet spot is a hybrid approach: combining the speed & efficiency of AI with human expertise (like LBC!) to ensure every episode is refined, optimized for search, and aligned with your brand tone and audience intent. 

With the right support, your podcast content can work harder for you. 

At Leah Bryant Co., our Search-Optimized Show Notes service gives you the best of both worlds. 

Whether you’re using AI already or just want to take show notes off your plate entirely, we offer:

• SEO-optimized, Google-indexable show notes.
• A consistent, on-brand tone across all episodes.
• Strategic keyword placement to improve visibility.
• Clear CTAs to drive clicks, leads, and traffic.
• Human-led editing that captures your tone and authority.

This service is the smart, strategic, and humanized alternative to generic AI show notes. 

Already drafting your own show notes or using AI tools to help expedite the process? Our Podcasting Problem Solver™ team can review, enhance, and optimize your AI-drafted show notes for you. 

Prefer a hands-off approach? We’ll handle the entire process, so you can take show notes off your plate while allowing your episodes to work harder behind the scenes, allowing you to stay focused on the mic.

Visit our contact page to book a free consult and learn more about our Search-Optimized Show Notes service today.