Essential Podcast Terms Explained

Tap a term to see what it means.

Episode

A single installment of a podcast, often published as part of a series or season.

RSS Feed

A standardized distribution format that lets podcast apps automatically detect new episodes and deliver them to subscribers.

Show Notes

A written summary that recaps an episode's content, along with links or timestamps mentioned during it, provided for listeners.

Host vs. Guest

The host is the main person who leads the podcast, while a guest is invited on for a specific episode to join the conversation.

Pop Filter

A piece of recording equipment placed in front of a microphone to reduce the harsh "popping" sound caused by certain consonants.

Audiogram

A short video made by adding a visual waveform or captions to a short audio clip from a podcast, designed to be easily shared on social media.

Essential Terms to Know If You Want to Make a Podcast

Podcasts are a favorite listen during a commute or workout, but starting to make one yourself brings a lot of unfamiliar terminology. Knowing basic concepts like RSS feeds and show notes helps you understand the big picture of podcast production.

Curious About Screen Recording Tools Too?

If video content creation interests you, it's worth also checking out a guide to screen recording tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need expensive equipment to start a podcast?

You can start perfectly well with just an inexpensive USB microphone and free editing software β€” many creators gradually upgrade their equipment as their audience grows.

Why is an RSS feed so important for podcasts?

An RSS feed lets new episodes automatically distribute to multiple platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, making it a core technology behind podcast distribution.