Tips for Changing a Podcast Feed’s URL in iTunes

Update: This has been updated for Feeder 3.0 and later.

There may come a time when you want to move your podcast feed to another server, another location on your server or start using a service such as FeedBurner.

In their technical specification, Apple suggests two ways to change your podcast feed’s URL. The preferred method is to set up a redirect to the new URL. This will cause both the iTunes Store and existing subscribers to use the new URL and will work for other applications too, including RSS readers.

Setting up a redirect is not always possible; Apple’s alternative suggestion is to use the <itunes:new-feed-url> tag to inform the iTunes Store that your feed has moved.

For this to work, you need two different versions of your feed: the old version should contain the New Feed URL and the new version must not. First duplicate the feed:

  • Select your existing feed in Feeder and choose File > Duplicate from the menu.
  • Choose File > Publish from the menu. Click the Settings button and change the settings as appropriate to publish the feed to the new location. If you are doing this because you wish to start using FeedBurner for an existing feed, you simply need to change the filename.
  • Click Continue, then click Publish to upload the new feed.

Now test the new feed:

  • Click the Links button in Feeder’s toolbar.
  • Select iTunes Podcast and click Subscribe

If everything looks good in iTunes, you can now set the new Feed URL on the original feed:

  • With the new feed still selected in Feeder, choose File > Copy Feed URL from the menu. You don’t need to do this if you’re moving to FeedBurner.
  • In all cases, now select your original feed.
  • Click Feed above the list of items.
  • Select “iTunes Podcasting”.
  • Scroll down to the New Feed URL field and paste the URL. If you are using FeedBurner, enter the FeedBurner URL instead.
  • Publish the original feed.

Testing the New URL

You can test the New Feed URL by updating a subscription to your existing feed in iTunes and clicking the info button next to your podcast’s description. It should show the new feed’s URL.

The iTunes Store will switch to using the new feed URL the next time it checks your feed, and your iTunes-using subscribers will pick up the new URL the next time they update their podcast subscriptions. Apple suggests keeping the old feed around for at least two weeks to give everyone a chance to update.

3 Responses to “Tips for Changing a Podcast Feed’s URL in iTunes”

  1. Alex Says:

    Hi!

    the URL when me feed was it has closed (now dont exist). So, I can’t use the redirect metod. How can I redirect the iTunes suscribers to the new URL?

    A lot of thanks!

    Alex

  2. Steve Harris Says:

    Hi Alex,

    With something like that, your best course of action is to get in touch with Apple and explain the problem. I’ve had someone else do this and Apple moved the feed for him.

    You can use the form at the bottom of this page to contact Apple:
    http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/musicstore/podcast/

  3. Gary Green Says:

    Thank you for this. It’s exactly what I needed.