In the vast expanse of podcasting, and the work we do with clients within the agency, I often think about how to make sure podcasts stand out and draw more listeners. This is where podcast SEO becomes crucial. In this episode, Anthony Nwaneri joins me for a four part series that dives into podcast SEO and its importance for every podcaster. Anthony Nwaneri is the best selling author of the book Podcast Made Simple and the Co-host of 'Why Your Podcast Isn't Growing'. After spending 3 years working hard on a degree that wasn’t taking him closer to a life he wanted, Anthony was determined to build a successful business in podcasting. Despite having zero experience in business or podcasting, he dropped out of college to go all in on a business. Fast forward to today, he's now a 2-time bestselling author and has generated multiple 6 figures with a coaching business, helping podcasters grow and monetize their shows. Discoverability: The Power of Ranking Higher Anthony describes podcast SEO as a process aimed at getting your podcast to rank higher on platforms like Apple and Spotify. With millions of active monthly listeners, being discoverable on these platforms can significantly impact your podcast's growth. Anthony points out the astonishing fact that 40% of active listeners in the US use Apple and Spotify to find new podcasts. Why Apple and Spotify? Anthony explains that these podcast platforms have the largest user base and dominate the podcasting industry. By optimizing for these platforms, you increase your chances of reaching and engaging potential listeners. Understanding Podcast SEO: It's More Than Just Keywords I delve deeper into podcast SEO and ask Anthony about its various components. He emphasizes that while keywords are crucial, podcast SEO isn't just about stuffing titles and descriptions with keywords. A holistic approach is necessary, encompassing titles, cover art, show notes, and even guest names. Anthony also stresses the importance of user engagement and building relevancy in podcast SEO. Planning Your Podcast SEO Strategy Anthony and I discuss the framework for our upcoming four-episode series on podcast SEO. We identify the key components of a successful podcast SEO strategy: discoverability, visibility, user engagement, and building relevancy. This structure provides a comprehensive exploration of each aspect throughout the series. Getting Started: Discoverability and Keyword Research Anthony guides listeners on starting their podcast SEO journey. He suggests reviewing your podcast's back catalog to identify key topics or pillars of each episode. These can then be turned into search terms or keywords that align with your audience's search behavior. Anthony recommends tools like Ubersuggest for evaluating keyword popularity and search volume. The Role of Title Optimization and Experiments I highlight the importance of optimizing titles and consider the relevance of tags within hosting platforms. Anthony acknowledges that title optimization is key in podcast SEO, significantly impacting discoverability. While the importance of tags is debatable, he emphasizes the 80/20 rule, focusing mainly on episode titles for discoverability optimization. Experimentation and Constant Improvement Anthony and I agree on the importance of experimentation in podcast SEO. We discuss testing and refining episode titles, show notes, and content. Experimenting with different strategies allows podcasters to fine-tune their SEO approach and cater to their audience's preferences. In all, we've explored the secrets of podcast SEO and its critical role in every podcaster's success. Anthony's insights and recommendations offer actionable steps to enhance your podcast's discoverability and attract a broader audience. Dive into the world of podcast SEO and unlock your show's true potential!   Learn about: 0:00 Intro 3:37 What is podcast SEO 4:48 Why the focus on Apple and Spotify rankings 5:14 What are we talking about when we tal