Spotify is a highly popular platform for podcast listeners and creators, offering access to over 2.6 million podcasts and a diverse audience. However, there may be occasions when you need to remove your podcast from Spotify, whether temporarily or permanently. This could be due to rebranding your show, changing hosting services, or taking a break from podcasting. Removing your podcast from Spotify can be a complex process, depending on how you distribute your podcast. This comprehensive guide will explain the various methods for removing your podcast from Spotify, depending on whether you host your podcast with Spotify itself, an aggregator, or another hosting service. We will also provide tips on avoiding common pitfalls and errors when deleting your podcast from Spotify. By the end of this guide, you will clearly understand how to efficiently and effectively remove your podcast from Spotify.

Removing Your Podcast from Spotify if You Host with Spotify

If you host your podcast with Spotify using the Spotify for Podcasters platform to upload and manage your episodes, removing your podcast from Spotify is relatively straightforward. You can delete individual episodes or your entire podcast series from Spotify using the web or mobile app.

To delete an individual episode from Spotify, follow these steps:

• On the web: Go to “Episodes,” click the three dots next to the episode you want to delete, then select “Delete episode“.

• On the mobile app: Tap “Your Podcast,” select the episode you want to delete, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and then choose “Delete“.

To remove your entire podcast series from Spotify, follow these steps:

• On the web: Go to “Settings,” scroll down to “Remove Podcast,” and click “Remove“).

• On the mobile app: Tap “Your Podcast,” tap “Settings” in the top right corner, scroll down to “Remove Podcast,” and tap “Remove“.

Deleting your podcast from Spotify will also remove it from other platforms that use Spotify’s API, such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. If you wish to keep your podcast on those platforms, you must resubmit it using a different hosting service.

Removing Your Podcast from Spotify if You Host with an Aggregator

If you host your podcast with an aggregator, a third-party service that distributes your podcast to various platforms, including Spotify, removing your podcast from Spotify requires contacting the aggregator directly and requesting them to remove your podcast.

Each aggregator may have a different process for removing podcasts from Spotify, so you should check their website or contact their support team for specific instructions. However, here are some general steps you can follow:

1. Log in to your aggregator account and locate your podcast settings.
2. Find the option to manage or edit your distribution channels or destinations.
3. Uncheck or deselect Spotify as one of your distribution channels or destinations.
4. Save your changes and wait for them to take effect.

Depending on the aggregator and their agreement with Spotify, it may take up to 24 hours for your podcast to be removed from Spotify after making the changes in your aggregator account. If you do not see any changes after 24 hours, you may need to contact your aggregator’s support team and request them to manually remove your podcast from Spotify.

Alternatively, you can email podcasters-support@spotify.com and ask them to remove your podcast from Spotify but note that this method may take longer than contacting your aggregator directly.

Removing Your Podcast from Spotify if You Host with Another Hosting Service

If you host your podcast with a hosting service that is not an aggregator, such as WordPress or SoundCloud, removing your podcast from Spotify depends on how you initially submitted your podcast to Spotify. You can submit your podcast to Spotify in two ways: an RSS feed or a direct link.

If you submitted your podcast to Spotify using an RSS feed, removing your podcast from Spotify requires deleting or modifying your RSS feed. An RSS feed is a file that contains information about your podcast and its episodes, such as the title, description, artwork, and audio files. You can create an RSS feed using various tools or plugins provided by your hosting service.

To remove your podcast from Spotify using an RSS feed, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your hosting service and locate your RSS feed settings.
2. Find the option to delete or edit your RSS feed.
3. Delete or edit your RSS feed to no longer contain any information about your podcast or its episodes.
4. Save your changes and wait for them to take effect.

Note that deleting or editing your RSS feed will also remove your podcast from other platforms that use RSS feeds, such as Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts. If you wish to keep your podcast on those platforms, you must create a new RSS feed and resubmit it using a different hosting service.

If you submitted your podcast to Spotify using a direct link, removing your podcast from Spotify requires deleting or modifying the direct link. A direct link is a URL that points directly to an audio file of one of your episodes. You can create a direct link using various tools or plugins provided by your hosting service.

To remove your podcast from Spotify using a direct link, follow these steps:

• Log in to your hosting service and locate your direct link settings.
• Find the option to delete or edit your direct link.
• Delete or edit your direct link so it no longer points to an audio file of your episodes.
• Save your changes and wait for them to take effect.

Note that deleting or editing your direct link will also remove your episodes from other platforms that use direct links, such as SoundCloud and YouTube. If you wish to keep your episodes on those platforms, you must create a new direct link and resubmit it using a different hosting service.

Why Removing a Podcast on Spotify is Challenging

You may wonder why removing a podcast on Spotify is more challenging compared to other platforms like Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts. The reason is that Spotify has a different approach to storing and displaying podcasts than other platforms.

Spotify uses its own database and API (application programming interface) for podcasts, meaning it does not rely on RSS feeds or direct links like other platforms. Instead, Spotify has its internal system of metadata and audio files. This grants Spotify greater control over how podcasts are presented and recommended on its platform but also makes it more difficult for podcasters to remove their podcasts from Spotify.

When you submit your podcast to Spotify through an aggregator or directly, Spotify copies your metadata and audio files into its own database and API, assigning them a unique identifier known as a show ID. This show ID links your podcast to Spotify and enables listeners to find and play your podcast on the platform.

However, this also means that once your podcast is on Spotify, it is no longer dependent on your source of metadata and audio files, such as RSS feeds or direct links. Even if you delete or modify those sources, Spotify will still retain its copy of them in its database and API, continuing to display them on its platform.

Therefore, the only way to remove your podcast from Spotify is by contacting either your aggregator or Spotify directly and requesting the deletion of your show ID from their database and API. The time required for this process may vary depending on their response time and the number of requests they handle.

Reasons to Remove Your Podcast From Spotify

There are several reasons why you might want to remove your podcast from Spotify:

• Rebranding or Relaunching: If you want to rebrand or relaunch your show with a new name or format, removing the previous version from Spotify prevents confusion among your listeners, who might encounter two versions of your show.

• Switching Hosting Services: If you wish to switch to a different hosting service or aggregator that offers better features or pricing for your show, removing your existing show ID from Spotify avoids duplication or conflicts.

• Taking a Break: If you plan to take a break from podcasting altogether, removing your outdated content from Spotify avoids leaving behind content that may impact your reputation or ranking.

• Improving Quality: Removing low-quality episodes from your show can enhance overall quality and performance, preventing ratings and reviews from negatively affecting you.

• Privacy and Intellectual Property: Removing personal information or copyrighted material from Spotify protects your privacy and intellectual property, mitigating the risk of legal issues or unwanted attention.

We hope this comprehensive guide has given you a clear understanding of how to effectively remove your podcast from Spotify.

FAQ 

Conclusion:

Removing your podcast from Spotify may become necessary at certain points in your podcasting journey, whether due to rebranding, switching hosting services, taking a break, improving quality, or safeguarding your privacy and intellectual property. However, the process can be complex and varies depending on how you host your podcast.

If you host directly with Spotify, deleting episodes or your entire series is straightforward using the web or mobile app. Remember that removing your podcast from Spotify will also affect other platforms utilizing Spotify’s API.

For those using an aggregator, contacting them directly is essential to request removal from Spotify. Each aggregator may have specific instructions, so consult their website or contact support for guidance.

If you host with another service, removal from Spotify depends on how you initially submitted your podcast. Deleting or modifying the feed is necessary for RSS feed users, while direct link users need to delete or modify the link. Remember that these changes will affect other platforms using the same feed or link.

The complexity of removing a podcast from Spotify stems from Spotify’s independent database and API for podcasts, which are not reliant on RSS feeds or direct links. To successfully remove your podcast, contacting your aggregator or Spotify directly is necessary to request the deletion of your show ID.

By understanding the process and following the appropriate steps outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can efficiently remove your podcast from Spotify. If you encounter any challenges or require further assistance, reach out for support. We hope this article has provided the information you need to navigate the process effectively.