What is Explicit Tag?
The Explicit Tag (E) is a marker in the RSS feed that warns parents and listeners that the episode contains strong language or mature themes.
Why Explicit Tag Matters for Podcasters
The Explicit Tag is a requirement by Apple Podcasts and other directories for any content containing profanity or adult themes. If a podcast contains swearing but is not marked as 'Explicit,' it risks being removed from the directory entirely. Conversely, if a show is marked 'Clean,' it cannot contain any swearing. This tag serves as a parental advisory. It also affects distribution in some regions where explicit content is restricted. Podcasters can set this tag at the show level (the whole podcast is explicit) or the episode level (only specific episodes are explicit). Being honest with this tag is crucial for platform compliance.
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Audiogram
An audiogram is a short video clip that combines audio from your podcast with a visual waveform and your cover art, creating shareable social media content that promotes your show.
Waveform
A waveform is a visual representation of audio that shows the amplitude (loudness) of sound over time. In podcasting, waveforms are used in audiograms and editing software to visualize audio.
Show Notes
Show notes are written summaries or bullet points that accompany each podcast episode, typically including key topics, guest information, timestamps, and links to resources mentioned in the episode.
RSS Feed
An RSS feed is a standardized XML file that contains information about your podcast episodes, including titles, descriptions, audio file URLs, and publication dates. It's how podcast directories and apps discover and update your show.