Want to know how to start a podcast on Spotify in 2026? Here’s the short version: it’s free, it doesn’t require any special equipment to begin, and you can publish both audio and video episodes directly through Spotify for Creators, Spotify’s free hosting and distribution platform. In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly what you need, the full publishing process step by step, how to start a video podcast, and how to grow and eventually monetize your show.
If you’re recording in the UAE and want professional audio or video quality from day one, Studio 321 offers a fully equipped podcast studio in Dubai so you can skip the equipment costs and go straight to recording.
Read More Benefits of Podcasting
What Is Spotify for Creators?
Spotify for Creators is Spotify’s free podcast hosting and distribution platform — the rebranded, expanded successor to what was previously called Anchor and later Spotify for Podcasters. It lets you upload audio or video episodes, generates an RSS feed automatically, distributes your show to Spotify and other podcast apps, and gives you analytics and monetization tools, all at no cost.
Can You Start a Podcast on Spotify for Free?
Yes. Spotify for Creators offers unlimited free hosting for both audio and video podcasts, with no subscription fee and no upload limits. This makes Spotify one of the most beginner-friendly ways to start a podcast, since you don’t need to pay for hosting before you know whether your show will find an audience.
Recording equipment is the one cost that free hosting doesn’t cover — but you can avoid that upfront investment entirely by renting a podcast studio in Dubai instead of buying your own microphones, cameras, and acoustic treatment.
Can You Start a Podcast on Spotify Without a Podcast Host?
Yes — there are two valid paths, and which one is right for you depends on how much control you want over your show long-term.
| Method | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify for Creators as host | Upload episodes directly in the dashboard; RSS is generated for you automatically | Beginners who want the simplest setup |
| External podcast host | Publish to a host like Buzzsprout or Transistor, then submit that RSS feed to Spotify once | Creators who want to own their feed and switch platforms more easily later |
Both are completely valid. If you’re not sure, starting directly with Spotify for Creators is the simpler option — you can always migrate to an external host later once your show is established.
What Do You Need to Start a Podcast on Spotify?
| What You Need | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Podcast topic & niche | Yes | Should sustain 50+ episodes |
| Podcast name | Yes | Searchable, brandable, not already taken |
| Microphone | Yes | USB or XLR |
| Headphones | Recommended | For monitoring audio quality |
| Recording software | Yes | Audacity, GarageBand, Adobe Audition |
| Cover art | Yes | Square image, at least 3000x3000px |
| Podcast description | Yes | Explains what the show is about |
| First episode | Yes | Needed before you can publish |
| Podcast host | Depends on method | Spotify for Creators or an external host |
| RSS feed | External method only | Needed to submit your show to Spotify |
How to Start a Podcast on Spotify: Step by Step
Step 1: Choose Your Podcast Topic
Pick a subject you can realistically talk about for dozens of episodes — personal expertise, a hobby, or stories tied to your audience’s interests.
Step 2: Define Your Target Audience
Knowing who you’re talking to shapes your tone, episode length, and topics — and makes it easier to grow a loyal audience later.
Step 3: Choose a Podcast Name
Keep it short, searchable, and closely tied to your topic. Check that the name isn’t already used by another show on Spotify.
Step 4: Choose Your Podcast Format
Solo, interview, co-hosted, narrative, or panel — each format changes how you plan and record episodes. See our full podcast structure guide for a detailed breakdown of each format and how to plan an episode around it.
Step 5: Prepare Your Equipment
At minimum, you’ll need a microphone, headphones, and recording software. If you’d rather skip buying equipment altogether, you can record in a professional space instead.
Don’t want to buy microphones, cameras, and lighting? Record your podcast in a fully equipped podcast studio in Dubai and skip the equipment costs entirely.
Step 6: Record Your First Episode
Structure it with a hook, main content, and a call to action. Speak clearly and at a natural pace.
Step 7: Edit Your Podcast
Remove mistakes and long pauses, balance audio levels, and add music or effects if needed.
Step 8: Create Podcast Cover Art
Use a clear, high-contrast square image (minimum 3000x3000px) that’s readable even as a small thumbnail.
Step 9: Create Your Spotify for Creators Account
Sign up at Spotify for Creators using your email or existing Spotify account.
Step 10: Upload Your Podcast
Upload your episode directly if using Spotify for Creators as your host, or submit your external RSS feed if using a third-party host.
Step 11: Add Title, Description & Metadata
Write a clear episode title and description using the keywords your audience would actually search for, and assign your show to the right category.
Step 12: Publish Your Podcast
Once uploaded and verified, your episode goes live on Spotify and, if using an external host, distributes automatically to other apps through your RSS feed.
Step 13: Track Analytics and Grow Your Audience
Use Spotify for Creators’ built-in analytics to see which episodes perform best, then double down on what’s working.
How to Start a Video Podcast on Spotify
Video is now a first-class format on Spotify, with strong in-app discovery for video episodes. Publishing a video podcast requires the same account and upload process as audio, but with a few extra considerations:
- Camera: A dedicated camera or a high-quality phone camera works to start
- Lighting: Even, consistent lighting (a ring light or softbox) makes a major difference in perceived quality
- Microphone: Audio quality still matters more than video quality to most listeners
- Video editing: Basic cuts, color correction, and captions improve watch time
- Audio-only vs. video: You can publish both versions from the same recording session
Create a professional video podcast without building your own studio. Studio 321 provides cameras, lighting, and acoustically treated rooms for video podcast production in Dubai.
Spotify for Creators vs. Other Podcast Hosting Platforms
| Platform | Hosting | Distribution | Analytics | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify for Creators | ✓ Free | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Buzzsprout | ✓ Paid | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Podbean | ✓ Paid | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transistor | ✓ Paid | ✓ | ✓ | — |
A third-party host costs money but gives you full ownership of your RSS feed, which matters if you plan to switch platforms later. For most beginners, though, Spotify for Creators’ free hosting is the easiest way to get started.
How to Make Money from a Podcast on Spotify
Once your show is established, Spotify offers a few paths to monetization:
- Spotify Partner Program: As of January 2026, eligibility requires roughly 1,000 engaged listeners, 2,000 consumed hours, and 3 published episodes — a significantly lower bar than in previous years. Spotify takes a share of ad revenue generated from free-tier listeners.
- Premium video revenue: A separate payout when Spotify Premium subscribers watch your video episodes ad-free.
- Sponsorships: Brand deals you arrange directly once you have a defined audience.
- Your own products or services: Many creators use their podcast to promote a business, course, or service rather than relying on ad revenue alone.
Important for UAE-based creators: The Spotify Partner Program currently requires a legal address in one of a limited number of eligible countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and several EU countries), and the UAE is not currently on that list. This doesn’t stop you from building an audience or monetizing through sponsorships and your own products — it simply means direct in-app ad revenue through the Partner Program may not be available to creators based in Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE yet. Always check Spotify’s current eligibility list before planning your monetization strategy around it.
How to Optimize Your Podcast for Spotify Search
Spotify SEO is not the same as Google SEO — it’s based on how listeners search and browse within the app, not backlinks or page authority. Focus on:
- Podcast name: Include a keyword listeners would search for, where it fits naturally
- Podcast & episode descriptions: Written for humans first, but naturally including relevant terms
- Episode titles: Specific and descriptive, not just “Episode 12”
- Categories: Choose the most accurate category and subcategory available
- Consistent publishing: A regular schedule signals an active, reliable show
- Audience engagement: Ratings, follows, and completion rate all factor into discovery
How to Start a Professional Podcast in Dubai and Publish It on Spotify
If you’re based in Dubai and want to launch a professional podcast, publishing on Spotify is only the final step — the real work happens during recording and production. You’ll need a suitable recording environment, professional microphones, cameras, lighting, and post-production editing before an episode is ready to upload.
For a full breakdown of the entire process — not just the Spotify publishing step — see our complete guide on how to start a podcast in Dubai.
FAQ: How to Start a Podcast on Spotify
1. Can I start a podcast on Spotify for free?
Yes. Spotify for Creators offers free, unlimited hosting for both audio and video podcasts with no subscription required.
2. Do I need a podcast hosting platform to publish on Spotify?
Not necessarily. You can use Spotify for Creators itself as your host, or publish through an external host and submit your RSS feed to Spotify — both are valid options.
3. Can I upload a video podcast to Spotify?
Yes. Video is a first-class format on Spotify, and Spotify for Creators supports uploading and publishing video episodes alongside or instead of audio.
4. How do I upload a podcast to Spotify?
Create a free Spotify for Creators account, then either upload your episode directly in the dashboard or submit your existing RSS feed if you’re using an external host.
5. How long does it take to get a podcast on Spotify?
If you upload directly through Spotify for Creators, your episode can go live within a few hours. Submitting an external RSS feed for the first time may take slightly longer for verification.
6. Can I make money from a podcast on Spotify?
Yes, through the Spotify Partner Program, Premium video revenue, and sponsorships — though Partner Program eligibility currently requires a legal address in a limited set of countries, which does not yet include the UAE.
7. What equipment do I need to start a podcast?
At minimum, a microphone, headphones, and recording software. For professional audio or video quality without buying equipment, you can record in a studio instead.
8. Can I start a podcast on Spotify from Dubai?
Yes — Spotify for Creators is available to creators in the UAE for hosting, distribution, and audience growth. For professional recording, Studio 321’s podcast studio in Dubai handles the production side.
9. Is Spotify for Creators free?
Yes, hosting, uploading, and distribution through Spotify for Creators are completely free, with no storage limits.