The Google Podcasts app is a popular platform for publishing audio podcasts, but one area where Google Podcasts has fallen short in recent years is in its lack of searchability. When listeners wanted to recall a podcast but didn’t remember its name or publisher, they’d have a hard time finding what they were looking for using Google’s built-in search tools.
Recently, however, it was discovered that Google Podcasts is now automatically transcribing podcast audio and making it searchable. This could have far-reaching impacts not only on users, but on podcast creators as well.
How Does Google’s Transcription Work?
Google’s podcast-transcription service will operate in the background, using their well known speech-to-text software. It is believed that this technology will also allow for the use of timestamps and content indexing, both of which are designed to make the content of the podcast more easily searchable for listeners.
What This Means for Podcast Creators
For those who already publish podcasts, this is welcome news, as the ability to search based on content discussed during the show can make it easier for listeners to find podcasts that interest them. Furthermore, those who have listened to a podcast and wish to return to it may be able to without having to remember the name of the podcast itself.
From an SEO standpoint, this new application of voice-to-text technology may also mean that businesses may want to begin producing podcast content if they’re not doing so already. By focusing on publishing a podcast, you could improve your search engine rankings while also providing your target audience with useful information in a popular format.
Making the Most of Your Podcast
With this recent news about Google’s podcast transcription, there has never been a better time to optimize your podcast for search. So, what should you keep in mind when focusing on search engine optimization podcast? Begin by making sure the title of your podcast is interesting and clear, including relevant keywords where applicable. When you publish a new podcast, you may also want to consider publishing a corresponding blog post on your website that provides a recap of the podcast itself, bonus content, or other relevant information that could help you from an SEO standpoint.
Make sure you’re also taking time to upload your podcasts to YouTube; it’s easy enough to turn any podcast into a YouTube video. Because YouTube already has an excellent search feature (and some might even argue that it’s its own search engine), having your podcast available on YouTube can help make it easier for your audience to find as well.
These are just a few tips on how to grow a podcast, and now that Google will be automatically transcribing content, you may also want to start thinking a bit more about the types of long-tail keywords you may want to incorporate into your scripts.
The Bottom Line
So, what should you be taking away from the latest news on Google Podcasts?
- Google is using speech-to-text software to automatically transcribe podcast content
- this transcribed content can make podcasts more easily searchable
- optimizing your podcasts for SEO is important
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I'm the Director of Digital Services and Partner at Ballantine, a family-owned and operated direct mail & digital marketing company based in New Jersey. and started in 1966 by my great uncle!
