If you have been researching link building, you have probably seen “podcast backlinks” offered as a safe way to build authority. But what exactly are they, how do you get them, and do they actually help SEO in 2026? This guide explains everything in plain language — including the limits most sellers don’t mention.
Quick answer: podcast backlinks are links to your website from podcast platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, iHeart and others) and from podcast show notes. They come from some of the most trusted domains online, they mostly use your brand name as the anchor, and they work best as a safe foundation of authority and brand signals — not as a shortcut to rank a page on their own.
Key takeaways
- Podcast backlinks are links to your site from podcast platforms (show pages and episode show notes) and from guest appearances on other shows.
- Most use your brand name or URL as the anchor, which keeps your link profile natural.
- Link types vary by platform: some are dofollow (for example Podchaser and iHeart), others nofollow (Amazon Music, Castbox).
- They build trust and brand signals, but they won’t rank a thin page on their own — pair them with good content and editorial links.
On this page
- What are podcast backlinks?
- The 3 types of podcast backlinks
- Which podcast platforms give backlinks?
- Are podcast backlinks dofollow?
- Do podcast backlinks help SEO?
- How to get podcast backlinks (step by step)
- How to check if a podcast backlink is working
- How long do podcast backlinks take to work?
- How much do podcast backlinks cost?
- How many podcast backlinks do you need?
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Want podcast backlinks done for you?
What are podcast backlinks?
Podcast backlinks are links to your website that appear on podcast platforms and podcast pages. The link usually sits in one of four places:
- The show profile — the “website” field on a podcast’s page in a directory such as Podchaser or Podcast Addict.
- The show description — the About text that every platform copies from the RSS feed.
- Episode show notes — the description of each episode, where hosts link to guests, sponsors and resources.
- The podcast’s own website — episode pages and guest bios on the show’s site.
Because these platforms are some of the most visited and trusted domains on the internet — many with a Domain Rating (DR) above 80 — a link from them adds a strong trust and brand signal to your backlink profile. Podcasts are also mainstream: Edison Research’s Infinite Dial 2025 found that 55% of Americans aged 12+ (about 158 million people) listen to podcasts every month, which is why these platforms carry so much authority.
The 3 types of podcast backlinks
“Podcast backlinks” is used for three different things. They are all useful, but they work very differently:
| Type | How you get it | Speed | Typical link | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform (directory) links | A show for your brand is published and listed on podcast platforms | Days to weeks | Show page + episode pages, branded anchor | Fast, safe authority and brand signals |
| Guest appearance links | You appear as a guest and the host links to you in the show notes | Weeks to months of pitching | Editorial link from a relevant show | Relevance, audience and editorial links |
| Own show or sponsorship | You run a podcast or sponsor one | Ongoing | Links from guests, listeners and sponsor reads | Long-term brand building |
Most guides you will find online only cover guest appearances. This guide covers all three, with a focus on platform links — the type that most podcast backlink packages (including mine) deliver.
Which podcast platforms give backlinks?
Here are 12 of the strongest platforms from my current list, with their authority and the link type they give at the time of writing. Platforms change their policies, so always check the current status before you buy.
| Platform | DR | Link type |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Podcasts | 97 | Dofollow |
| Amazon Music | 96 | Nofollow |
| Spotify | 95 | Dofollow |
| iHeart | 91 | Dofollow |
| Spreaker | 89 | Dofollow |
| Castbox | 87 | Nofollow |
| Pocket Casts | 86 | Dofollow |
| Podchaser | 85 | Dofollow |
| Podcast Addict | 84 | Dofollow |
| Podomatic | 82 | Dofollow |
| Castro | 81 | Dofollow |
| Goodpods | 81 | Dofollow |
See all 28 platforms with DA, DR, traffic and index status in the podcast directories list.
Are podcast backlinks dofollow?
Some are dofollow and some are nofollow — it depends on the platform. In my current checks, platforms like Podchaser, iHeart and Podcast Addict give dofollow links, while Amazon Music and Castbox give nofollow links. Platforms change their link policies over time, so any honest seller should show you the current link type of each platform before you buy.
Nofollow links are not worthless. Since 2019 Google treats nofollow as a “hint” rather than a strict rule, and links from famous brands still add trust, referral visits and a natural-looking profile. A healthy backlink profile always has a mix of both.
Because most podcast platform links use your brand name or URL as the anchor, they also keep your anchor profile natural. You can check your current mix with the free anchor text ratio checker.
Do podcast backlinks help SEO?
Yes — when they are used correctly and as part of a wider strategy. Here is what they do well:
- Authority and trust from very high-DR domains that Google crawls constantly.
- Link diversity — a new, natural link type next to guest posts and profile links.
- Brand entity signals — your brand name, description and website appear consistently across many trusted platforms. This matters for Google and for AI answers (see podcast backlinks and AI search).
- Safety — they come from real platforms, not private blog networks, so they are one of the lowest-risk link types for new websites.
- Permanence — podcast profiles and episodes are rarely removed.
And here is what they won’t do on their own: podcast backlinks will not rank a thin page for a competitive keyword. They work best as a foundation that supports good content and a few strong, relevant editorial links.
How to get podcast backlinks (step by step)
Option 1: List a show on podcast platforms
This is the fastest and most scalable route. You can do it yourself:
- Create the show — a podcast with your brand name, a clear description, square cover art (3000×3000 px is the Apple standard) and your website link.
- Publish a first episode — a short, genuine audio episode whose show notes mention your brand and link to your site.
- Get the RSS feed from your podcast host. This is what every platform reads.
- Submit the feed to each platform: Apple Podcasts Connect, Spotify for Creators, Amazon Music, iHeart, Podchaser, Podcast Addict and more. Some pick feeds up automatically from Apple or Podcast Index; others need a manual submission.
- Claim and complete profiles where possible, adding your website and description.
- Verify and track — note each live URL, check the link type and whether the page is indexed.
Running your own show? Add structured data to your podcast page with the free podcast schema generator so search engines can connect your website, your show and every platform where it is listed.
Option 2: Be a guest on podcasts
- Find shows in your niche using Apple Podcasts categories, Podchaser or Rephonic, or Google
your topic + podcast + “guest”. - Check the show notes of recent episodes — do they link to guests? If not, the link may not happen.
- Pitch a specific topic that helps their audience, with two or three episode ideas. Short, personal emails win — the free pitch generator has a podcast guest mode.
- Prepare and deliver a useful episode, then send the host the exact URL and brand name you would like in the show notes.
- Share the episode — hosts remember guests who promote the show.
Option 3: Start or sponsor a podcast
Hosting your own show earns links over time from guests, listeners and press. Sponsoring a relevant podcast often includes a link in the show notes of every sponsored episode — these should be marked as sponsored, but they still bring traffic and brand exposure.
How to check if a podcast backlink is working
- Is the page indexed? Search Google for the exact page URL or
site:+ the page address. If it never appears, the link has little value. - Is it dofollow? Right-click your link → Inspect, and look for
rel="nofollow",rel="ugc"orrel="sponsored". No rel attribute means dofollow. - Does Google see it? After a few weeks, check Links → Top linking sites in your own Google Search Console.
- Is your anchor mix still natural? Run your anchors through the anchor text ratio checker.
How long do podcast backlinks take to work?
Most platform pages are crawled and indexed within 2–4 weeks, depending on the platform. The SEO effect builds more slowly: like any links, they usually show their value over a few months, as part of your whole link profile — not as a sudden jump.
How much do podcast backlinks cost?
- Do it yourself: free, but expect several hours for setup, a first episode and submissions to 20+ platforms.
- Guest appearances: free in money, expensive in time — pitching, recording and follow-ups.
- Done-for-you service: my podcast backlinks packages start at $119 for 8 platforms and go up to 28 platforms, with every platform, DR, link type and index status shown before you buy.
Want to compare that with guest posts? The free backlink cost calculator estimates a fair price for any link from its DR, traffic, niche and link type. For an honest look at the pros and cons, read are podcast backlinks worth it.
How many podcast backlinks do you need?
For most small and medium websites, 8 to 30 podcast platform links is enough. Beyond that you get diminishing returns, because the value comes from having your brand on the major trusted platforms — not from hundreds of low-quality directories. Start with the top platforms and combine them with other link types over time — see my 3-month backlink plan for new websites.
Wondering how podcast links compare with other cheap, safe link types? Read podcast backlinks vs profile backlinks.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mass automated submissions to hundreds of spammy directories.
- Keyword-stuffed anchors — use your brand name or a clean URL instead.
- Ignoring index status — a link on a page Google doesn’t index has little value.
- Fake or empty shows — publish a real episode with useful show notes, not a blank feed.
- Buying blind — if a seller won’t show which platforms you get, walk away.
- Expecting miracles — podcast links support rankings; content and relevance still do the heavy lifting.
Want podcast backlinks done for you?
I build podcast backlinks 100% manually and show every platform, DA/DR, link type and index status before you buy. You get a full report with every live link. See the packages on my podcast backlinks service.
FAQ
Do I need my own podcast to get podcast backlinks?
No. With a done-for-you service, the show and episode are created for your brand — you only share your website and target keywords.
How long do podcast backlinks take to index?
Most platform pages are indexed within 2–4 weeks, depending on the platform.
Are podcast backlinks safe for a new website?
Yes. They mirror natural brand building on real platforms, which makes them one of the safest link types for new sites.
Can podcast backlinks hurt my rankings?
Not when they come from real platforms with a genuine show and branded anchors. Mass submissions to spam directories or keyword-stuffed anchors are what create risk.
Are podcast backlinks better than guest posts?
They do different jobs. Podcast platform links build safe authority and brand signals; guest posts add relevant, contextual links for specific pages. Most sites benefit from both.
Do Spotify and Apple Podcasts links count for SEO?
Yes, as trusted brand signals. In current checks both give dofollow links from very high-DR domains, though platforms can change link policies at any time.
Done-for-you podcast backlinks
Get your brand on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and 25 more trusted platforms — placed by hand, reported link by link.