Podcast SEO Tips: Get Found & Grow Your Audience Fast

Here's what you can expect from this episode:

Is Podcast SEO Real? (Spoiler: Yes—and It’s a Game Changer)

Ever feel like your podcast is the internet’s best-kept secret? Like you’re pouring time into recording, editing, and promoting—only to be met with crickets? You’re not imagining it. If your show isn’t showing up, it’s not you. It’s your SEO. (Or, more likely, the lack of it.)

In this episode of Podcasting Problem Solver™, we’re talking all about Podcast SEO strategy, minus the jargon, overwhelm, and eye-glaze. I’m breaking down the four pillars of podcast SEO I use with my own clients to help them get found, grow their podcast audience, and actually convert listeners into leads without relying solely on social media or paid ads.

Remember: SEO is not just a “nice to have”—it’s the behind-the-scenes MVP of podcast discoverability and marketing strategy.

We’ll cover exactly how podcast SEO fits into the Attraction and Momentum phases of my SEAMless Podcast Launch Framework™—so you can stop yelling into the void and start building real traction.

Here’s what’s covered

[00:04:05] Why podcast SEO is real—and why skipping it is hurting your growth
Understand why good content isn’t enough and how SEO is the missing link between your brilliance and your next best listener.
[00:06:45] How to write episode titles that stop the scroll
Discover why vague titles tank your visibility—and how a few smart tweaks can make your episode click-worthy in search.
[00:08:10] The underrated SEO power of episode descriptions
Discover how to craft compelling descriptions that boost your ranking, spark interest, and enhance your podcast’s searchability and engagement.[Check out this blog post on the difference between show notes & descriptions.]
[00:11:35] Why timestamps matter (yes, even for audio content)
From rich snippets to better user experience, timestamps can seriously improve your podcast SEO performance.
[00:13:55] Show notes that actually do something
No more filler. You’ll learn how to create notes that act as a landing page for your episode and drive deeper engagement.
[00:15:40] How transcripts boost your discoverability (and inclusivity)
It turns out that Google can’t listen(yet)—but it can read. Here’s why adding podcast transcripts is one of the smartest SEO moves you can make.
[00:17:50] Building backlinks without being spammy
Gain actionable insights for enhancing your site’s authority with podcast backlinks that boost trust and drive traffic.
[00:20:10] How Podcast SEO fits into the SEAMless Framework
We’ll zoom out to show how SEO weaves through Strategy, Execution, Attraction, and Momentum, building a podcast that works while you sleep. [Want a guide on how to optimize your podcast seo? Check out this blog post!]

Podcast SEO doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. But it does need to be intentional. Tiny tweaks can create massive momentum—and yes, you can go back and optimize your podcast episodes retroactively.

“If no one can find your show, it doesn’t matter how good your content is.” — Leah

If you’re ready to grow your podcast audience with a strategy that feels aligned and sustainable, grab my free SEAMless Podcast Launch Roadmap or join my newsletter for weekly podcast growth tips.

Got a podcasting question you’d love me to cover on the show? Submit it here—your challenge might spark the next episode.

Let’s stop playing hide and seek with your audience, shall we?

Resources Mentioned:

Blog – How to Optimize Your Podcast for SEO
Blog – Show Notes vs. Episode Descriptions
Blog – Rebranding Her Podcast Increased Downloads by 61% in 30 Days!
Podcast Resources for Podcasters
Join my newsletter
Recording Platform – Riverside.fm
Transcripts – Otter.ai

Transcript

Is Podcast SEO Real? (Yes—and It Might Be Why Your Show Feels Invisible)

Welcome Back, Podcast Problem Solvers

Leah Bryant:
Hey, hey—and welcome back to The Podcasting Problem Solver. I’m Leah Bryant: podcast producer, certified growth coach, and your no-BS guide to launching and growing a show that supports your business instead of draining it.

Let me guess—you’ve got the message, the mic, maybe even a beautifully batched content calendar…
But it still feels like you’re yelling into the void.

If that’s you? You’re not broken. Your podcast might just need a visibility strategy.

What Even Is Podcast SEO?

Hint: It's Not Just for Bloggers or Tech Bros

Yes, podcast SEO is very real. And no, you don’t need to be a marketing wizard to make it work.

Think of podcast SEO as the attraction engine for your show. It’s how new listeners discover you without relying solely on social media or paid ads—and it plugs directly into the Attraction and Momentum phases of my SEAMless Podcast Launch Framework™.

The 4 Podcast SEO Pillars (And How to Use Them)

1. Keyword-Rich Titles & Descriptions

Your Title = Your Hook

A good episode title is like the cover of a juicy magazine—it grabs attention and tells listeners exactly what they’re getting. Vague titles like “Ep 4: My Journey” won’t cut it.

Try this instead:
“How I Grew My Email List from 0 to 5K with Just a Podcast”
That’s clickable and packed with keywords people are actually searching for.

Quick Tips:

Use real phrases like: “Podcast editing for busy entrepreneurs” or “SEO tips for wellness coaches”
Keep titles under 60 characters (most apps cut them off)
Include your niche and guest name when relevant

Don’t Sleep on Episode Descriptions

This is prime SEO real estate—and most podcasters ignore it. Your description should start with your main keyword, followed by a curiosity hook, 2–3 value-packed points, and a clear CTA.

✨ Pro Tip: Never lead with “In this episode…”
Start with value, then get into the details.

2. Show Notes That Actually Work for You

Think Landing Page, Not Afterthought

Your show notes are your content’s home base. Treat them like a blog post that both listeners and search engines can scan.

What to include:

Timestamps (e.g., 2:15 – How Podcast SEO Works)
Summary paragraph (2–3 keyword-rich sentences)
CTA (link to your lead magnet, newsletter, or offer)
Relevant links (guest info, blog posts, tools, freebies)

Why Timestamps Boost SEO:

Give Google “chapters” to crawl
Increase chances of appearing in featured snippets
Improve user experience and listener engagement
Reduce bounce rates = better ranking

3. Transcripts = SEO + Accessibility

Why You Need Them (Even if No One Reads Them)

Search engines can’t listen to audio—but they can read. Adding transcripts gives your podcast content another way to be discovered.

Benefits:

Makes your show inclusive
Helps Google understand your content
Provides pull quotes for social posts or blog snippets
Easy to create with tools like Riverside or Otter.ai

Don’t have time for full transcripts?
Start with a partial one in your blog or show notes. It still makes an impact.

4. Backlinks: Digital Street Cred for Your Podcast

Backlinks = Other websites linking to your content. And they matter—a lot.

They tell Google:

“Hey, this show is legit.”

How to earn them:

Be a guest on other podcasts (ask for a blog or show notes link!)
Interview guests with blogs or newsletters and encourage them to share
Submit your show to curated roundups or podcast directories
Repurpose episodes into blog posts or LinkedIn articles and link between platforms

Real Client Wins from Podcast SEO

Let’s bring the data.

✅ Katie’s Show:
After we rebranded her title, optimized her descriptions, and created keyword-rich blog posts, she saw a 61% increase in downloads.

✅ Biweekly Client:
Focused SEO updates led to a 50% growth in just one month.

✅ Another Client:
After title and description tweaks, their downloads doubled within 7 days.

SEO isn’t just theory—it’s strategy that scales.

The SEAMless Framework in Action

Podcast SEO touches every phase:

Strategy: Choose topics and keywords your ideal listeners are already searching for
Execution: Create content that’s optimized, intentional, and easy to repurpose
Attraction: Use SEO tools (titles, transcripts, show notes) to make your podcast clickable
Momentum: Build backlinks, monitor analytics, and refine your content based on what’s working

Your Podcast SEO Checklist ✅

Start with one or stack them all:

Keyword-rich titles + episode descriptions
Show notes with timestamps, summaries, and CTAs
Transcripts for SEO + accessibility
Backlinks through collaborations and content repurposing

Each layer builds discoverability, rankings, and listener loyalty.

It’s Not Invisible. It Just Needs a Visibility Strategy.

If your podcast feels like a secret—this is your sign.

Your content is solid. Now it’s time to get found.

Want help putting this into action?

Grab my SEAMless Podcast Launch Roadmap + Private Podcast for the step-by-step breakdown
Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter for podcast growth tips that actually work
Have a question? Text me or submit your idea—it might just inspire the next episode

Until next time:
Optimize, get discovered, and keep sharing that voice of yours. You’ve got this.

Have a question or comment?

Send it to Leah!

Hi, I’m Leah

Your go-to podcast growth strategist, coach, and host of Podcasting Problem Solver

image for Podcasting Problem solver podcast by Leah Bryant

Podcast SEO Tips: Get Found & Grow Your Audience Fast

Here's what you can expect from this episode:

Here’s what’s covered