What is GUID (Globally Unique Identifier)?
A GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) is a unique string of characters assigned to each item in an RSS feed. It allows podcast apps to identify episodes and prevent duplicate downloads.
Why GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) Matters for Podcasters
The GUID is a critical, though invisible, part of an RSS feed. It looks like a random string of numbers and letters. Its job is to tell podcast apps, 'This is a specific episode.' If a podcaster changes the title or description of an episode, the app knows it's still the same episode because the GUID hasn't changed. However, if the GUID changes (which can happen accidentally when migrating to a new hosting platform), every subscriber's app will think it is a brand new episode and re-download it. This annoys listeners and messes up analytics. Maintaining static GUIDs is the most important technical aspect of moving a podcast to a new host.
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ID3 Tags
ID3 tags are metadata embedded directly into MP3 audio files that store information like the episode title, artist name, album name, and cover art. They help podcast players display the correct information about your episodes.
Metadata
Metadata is descriptive information about your podcast episode that helps platforms, players, and search engines understand what your content is about. It includes titles, descriptions, tags, and embedded file information.
Background Noise / Noise Floor
Background noise (also called noise floor) is the unwanted ambient sound present in your recording, such as air conditioning hum, computer fan noise, or room echo. It can distract listeners and make your podcast sound unprofessional.
Transcription
Transcription is the process of converting spoken audio into written text. For podcasters, transcriptions make content accessible, improve SEO, and enable repurposing into blog posts or social media content.