What is IAB Certified (Interactive Advertising Bureau)?
IAB Certification means a podcast host's analytics adhere to the strict measurement standards set by the Interactive Advertising Bureau, ensuring download numbers are accurate and comparable.
Why IAB Certified (Interactive Advertising Bureau) Matters for Podcasters
In the early days of podcasting, every host counted 'downloads' differently. Some counted every file request, meaning if a user paused and played 10 times, it counted as 10 downloads. This inflated numbers and confused advertisers. The IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) stepped in to create a standard (currently V2). To be IAB Certified, a platform must filter out bots, spiders, and duplicate requests (e.g., multiple requests from the same IP address within 24 hours count as 1 download). IAB certification provides a 'source of truth,' giving sponsors confidence that the numbers they are paying for are real human listeners.
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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.