How to Host Your Own Podcast on a Virtual Private Server
Now, let’s check whether the RSS feed works by entering the URL into the Podbase validator. This tool also determines whether your podcast complies with the Apple Podcasts and Podcast Standards Project requirements.
Note that this tutorial will use Apple Podcasts to publish the episodes. If you are using other platforms or a dedicated podcast website, the steps might slightly differ.
Run the dir2cast.php script using your web browser to generate the RSS feed, which will allow streaming platforms to fetch your podcast content. Lastly, upload it to platforms like Apple Podcasts to make your show discoverable.
http://domain.tld/podcast/dir2cast/dir2cast.php
While there are various podcast hosting services out there, setting up a private server lets you upload significantly larger files and have more freedom in how you run things. You also have the flexibility to publish the content on different platforms and get complete control over the data.
dir2cast lets you generate the XML podcast RSS feed automatically based on the episodes uploaded to the MP3 folder. Before doing so, create a new folder inside /var/www/html/podcast/ to store the temporary RSS files.
How to Host a Podcast on a Server
Select the Add a show with an RSS feed option.
Enter your XML file URL in the following format. Replace the domain name and path with the actual value:
Then, open this address in your web browser to rerun the dir2cast.php script:
Compatible with various software and supports full root access, Hostinger’s VPS hosting is an excellent choice. Moreover, our Customer Success team is available 24/7 to assist you when setting up or managing the server.
Once you have FileZilla installed on your local system, follow these steps:
In this tutorial, we will show you how to do so via Apple Podcasts. After creating an account and logging in to the Apple Podcasts Connect website, follow these steps:
2. Set up Your Server for a Podcast
cd /var/www/html/podcast
cd dir2cast && ls dir2cast.ini dir2cast.php
4. Upload and Organize Your Podcast Episodes
Once set, upload the audio files and adjust dir2cast.ini based on your needs. For example, change the settings to ensure your RSS XML file adheres to your podcast platform requirements. For more information, read the instructions in the file and the GitHub repo.
Hosting your own podcast provides more flexibility and reliability. Third-party platforms might limit the maximum number or size of the uploaded audio files, which can cause issues in the future. A private server provides more storage and control over your data.
The RSS feed is in an XML format. For most podcast management software, you should write it manually. There are various examples out there for reference, such as one from Rody Davis’ GitHub page.
Return to the main home directory and create the folder using mkdir. To do so, run the following commands subsequently:
7. Test Your RSS Feed And Check Compliance
3. Install Podcast Management Software
yourpodcastname_episodename_episodenumber.mp3
Since this tutorial will focus on setting up a hosting server, ensure you already have your content ready before proceeding. You should ideally have the first few podcast episodes in an MP3 format.
To do so, open the file with the nano text editor. Before proceeding, enter cd to ensure you are in the home directory. Then, run the following:
From the top bar, enter your VPS IP address as the Host, root as the Username, and the SSH password. Use 22 as the port number and click Quickconnect.
On the Remote site window, navigate to the /var/www/html/podcast/MP3 directory.
In the Local site window, access the folder that contains your MP3 file.
Drag and drop the MP3 file from the left window to the right one.
However, there are other important steps for maintaining a podcast server. A crucial measure is applying proper VPS security practices, like installing a secure sockets layer (SSL) certificate to encrypt the connection between the host and clients.
http://domain.tld/podcast/dir2cast/dir2cast.php
Start by installing the Git utility in your server, which we will use to fetch the dir2Cast repository. Here’s the command:
sudo apt update
Once you prepare the audio file and other prerequisites, let’s dive into the steps to start a podcast hosting server.
To do so, create a TXT file containing the details and upload it to the same MP3 folder. One file applies to a single episode and must have an identical name.
You should see an XML file like the following once the script successfully runs.
Aris Sentika
You must also write the episode title in a specific format to allow the podcast software to detect it. Here’s an example:
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