5 SEO Mistakes Most Podcasters Don’t Know They Make & How To Fix Them
Most podcasters unknowingly make critical SEO mistakes that prevent their content from being discovered, missing out on potential audience growth and visibility opportunities. Here are some tips on how to avoid the biggest mistakes so you can improve discoverability.
You spend hours crafting the perfect podcast episode, hit publish, and then... crickets. Sound familiar? You're not alone. With Google now displaying podcast episodes directly in search results, many creators are missing massive opportunities simply because they're making avoidable SEO mistakes.
The frustrating truth is that most podcasters focus entirely on content creation while completely overlooking the optimization strategies that could increase their discoverability by up to 15%. You might have amazing content, but if people can't find it, your hard work goes unnoticed.
Mistake #1: Ignoring Your Episode Titles
You probably think your clever, creative titles are perfect. But if they don't include keywords your audience is actually searching for, you're invisible to potential listeners. Search engines need clear signals about your content topic.
Mistake #2: Writing Weak Descriptions
Your episode descriptions aren't just summaries—they're prime real estate for SEO. Many podcasters write one-sentence descriptions or stuff them with irrelevant keywords. Neither approach works.
Mistake #3: Skipping Transcripts Completely
Transcripts are important for accessibility, but did you know they’re SEO rocket fuel, too? Transcripts convert your audio content into searchable text that search engines can index and rank. Most podcasters either skip transcripts entirely or don't optimize them properly.
Mistake #4: Neglecting Show-Level Optimization
You might optimize individual episodes but forget about your overall show setup. Your podcast name, show description, and category selections all impact how discoverable your entire series becomes.
Mistake #5: Using Generic Keywords
Trying to rank for broad terms like "business podcast" puts you in competition with thousands of other shows. You need specific, strategic keyword implementation that matches what your ideal audience is actually searching for.
These mistakes might seem small individually, but together they create a massive barrier between your content and your potential audience. The good news is that fixing them doesn't require technical expertise—just the right systematic approach.
A growing number of resources, such as Rank Burn, now offer step-by-step guidance tailored to platforms like Buzzsprout, helping users avoid common mistakes and implement effective strategies. These approaches often cover both show-level and episode-level optimization, with an emphasis on transcript use and smart keyword placement.
What makes these strategies stand out is their focus on platform-specific features. Instead of offering one-size-fits-all advice, they tap into built-in tools that many creators overlook—unlocking the potential for real, measurable improvements in podcast discoverability.
The reality is that podcast SEO isn't optional anymore. With millions of podcasts competing for attention, the ones that get found are the ones that understand how search engines work. Taking the time to audit and fix these five mistakes could be the difference between staying invisible and finally reaching the audience you deserve.
Ready to stop making these costly mistakes? A comprehensive audit checklist can walk you through each optimization step and help you implement the changes that will actually move the needle on your podcast's discoverability.
