Help Center

Appearance

Return to top
On this page

FAQ

What are the pricing plans for PodSEO?

PodSEO offers multiple plans to fit different needs — from independent podcasters to agencies managing multiple shows. Each plan includes different features, such as keyword tracking limits, access to visibility insights, and competitor discovery tools.

You can find the full breakdown of our pricing and features on our Pricing Page.


Is there a free version of PodSEO?

Yes! PodSEO offers a free version with specific limitations — perfect if you're just getting started. Here's what you get:

Free Plan Includes:

  • Keyword Strategy: Maximum 3 Primary Keywords, unlimited Secondary and Watched keywords
  • Visibility Insights: First 4 keyword rankings visible (additional keywords require upgrade)
  • SEO Analysis: Title and Author analysis (Cover Art, Description, and Episode analysis require upgrade)
  • Keyword Tracker: Full access to tracking charts and historical data
  • Basic Platform Data: Rankings across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music

Paid Plan Benefits:

  • Unlimited Visibility: See all keyword rankings in Visibility Insights
  • Complete SEO Analysis: Full AI-powered recommendations for Cover Art, Description, and Episodes
  • Advanced Features: Enhanced competitor discovery and premium analytics

When you're ready to unlock the full platform, you can upgrade at any time. Learn more on our Pricing Page.


What's the difference between Primary, Secondary, and Watched keywords?

Primary Keywords (Maximum 3 on free plan):

  • Your most important target keywords for optimization
  • Generate the deepest analysis and recommendations
  • Should represent your core podcast topics

Secondary Keywords:

  • Support your primary keyword strategy
  • Unlimited on all plans
  • Provide broader topic coverage and discovery opportunities

Watched Keywords:

  • Keywords you want to monitor but not actively optimize for
  • Unlimited on all plans
  • Perfect for competitive intelligence and market monitoring

Learn more about building your keyword strategy in our Keyword Strategy guide or follow our step-by-step keyword workflow.


How often should I run SEO Analysis?

We recommend running SEO Analysis:

  • Initially: After adding your podcast to get baseline recommendations
  • After Changes: Whenever you update your cover art, description, or add new episodes
  • Monthly: As a regular optimization check to discover new opportunities
  • Before Big Launches: Prior to major episode releases or series launches

The analysis uses AI to provide current, actionable recommendations based on your latest content and market performance. Learn more about optimization recommendations in our Recommendations guide.


Why do I see different rankings on different platforms?

Each podcasting platform has its own search algorithm and ranking factors:

Apple Podcasts: Emphasizes title relevance, category matching, and historical performance Spotify: Focuses on engagement metrics, listening patterns, and recommendation signals
Amazon Music: Prioritizes metadata accuracy, category alignment, and cross-platform presence YouTube Music: Leverages video engagement, thumbnail optimization, and YouTube ecosystem signals

This is why PodSEO tracks all major platforms — what works on one platform may need adjustment for others. Use Visibility Insights to see your performance across all platforms and Competitive Analysis to understand how successful podcasts optimize for different platforms.


What does "volume × 20" mean in search volume display?

The search volumes shown in PodSEO represent estimated monthly searches multiplied by 20 to provide a clearer scale for comparison. This calculation:

  • Helps compare relative keyword popularity
  • Accounts for podcast search behavior patterns
  • Provides actionable insights for keyword prioritization

Focus on the relative differences between keywords rather than absolute numbers — higher volumes indicate more search interest.


How long does it take to see results from optimization?

Typical optimization timelines:

Immediate (0-7 days):

  • Updated metadata appears in platform searches
  • New keywords begin tracking in PodSEO

Short-term (2-4 weeks):

  • Ranking improvements for targeted keywords
  • Increased visibility in platform search results

Long-term (6-12 weeks):

  • Significant ranking improvements
  • Organic growth in new keyword discoveries
  • Platform algorithm recognition of optimization changes

Consistency in applying recommendations and regular content updates accelerate these results.


What happens during background processing when I add a podcast?

When you add a podcast, PodSEO automatically:

  1. Data Collection: Retrieves your podcast metadata, episode information, and current rankings
  2. Platform Analysis: Checks performance across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music
  3. Keyword Discovery: Identifies existing keywords you're ranking for
  4. Competitive Assessment: Analyzes similar podcasts in your category
  5. Baseline Setup: Establishes your starting performance metrics

This process typically takes 5-15 minutes. You'll receive email notification when analysis is complete and your dashboard is ready.


Can I track keywords I'm not currently ranking for?

Yes! Use Watched Keywords to monitor any keyword, whether you're currently ranking or not. This is perfect for:

  • Competitor Analysis: Track keywords your competitors rank for
  • Market Research: Monitor emerging trends in your niche
  • Future Strategy: Watch keywords you plan to target later
  • Performance Goals: Track progress toward ranking for new terms

Watched keywords don't count toward your Primary keyword limits and provide valuable competitive intelligence. Learn more in our Keyword Strategy guide or explore competitor discovery tools to find new keywords to track.

Need More Help?