jdw21

Q: How to change RSS Feed without losing subscribers

I'm currently using blubrry to upload my podcasts. I'm not hosting it through them but rather on my own site and using my feed to submit to iTunes (http://racingdudes.com/feed/podcast/). However, I have switched to SoundCloud to start hosting my podcasts. I have added my latest three podcast episodes on SoundCloud and embedded them onto my website. However, how do I change the RSS feed from my original feed to my new SoundCloud feed without losing all my subscribers and ratings?

 

My first thought was to login to iTunes Connect and where my current RSS feed is listed, swap that out for my new one. Will that work? Is it as simple as that? It seems like I've read a lot of outdated, complicated ways to do this process so just making sure if this is the newer, simpler way?

 

Appreciate your help. Thanks!

iPhone 6, iOS 8.1

Posted on Aug 4, 2016 1:06 PM

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Q: How to change RSS Feed without losing subscribers

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  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Aug 4, 2016 2:43 PM in response to jdw21
    Level 9 (77,925 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 4, 2016 2:43 PM in response to jdw21

    In order to retain your subscribers you have to either add the 'itunes:new-feed-url' to the original feed, or initiate a 301 redirect on your server: ideally both. These will change the Store to the new feed and also your subscribers will be seamlessly redirected - they won't even notice. The full method is explained in detail here: http://wilmut.uk/move

     

    If you are unable to edit the feed and also cannot set up a 301 redirect then using Podcasts Connect will redirect the Store but will not redirect subscribers. In this event the only option is to include an announcement in the latest podcast on the old feed (you could do a special episode) announcing the change and asking people to re-subscribe from the Store page.

  • by jdw21,

    jdw21 jdw21 Aug 4, 2016 3:39 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Publishing
    Aug 4, 2016 3:39 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    Thanks for your help. Are you aware if I can make either of those two changes within the plugin I use (Blubrry) currently? I can get my web developer to handle that if not.

     

    I Read that article you sent and it said the following about the iTunes Connect option:

     

    Note that doing this does not change anything for your subscribers (since their iTunes applications read the feed directly), so all you can do is make an announcement about the change in a podcast episode.

     

    I think what you are saying is that all my subscribers that I've worked hard to get will be gone. For instance, for those people who use the podcast app on iPhones would no longer see our podcast coming through if we went this route? Is that correct? I think that's a big problem so may want to go the other route.

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Aug 4, 2016 11:38 PM in response to jdw21
    Level 9 (77,925 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 4, 2016 11:38 PM in response to jdw21

    The 'itunes:new-feed-url' tag and the 301 redirect will both redirect the Store, and subscribers as their iTunes Application checks the feed. However many people can't edit the feed, and also don't have access to the server to set up a redirect (even if they know how to) and so for them Podcasts Connect provides a fallback. Since that is happening on Apple's website it redirects the Store but cannot access subscribers' iTunes application, hence no redirect in that case; so you wouldn't choose it as your first preference. I don't know what happens with the iOS podcasts app since I'm not clear whether it reads the feed or the Store.

  • by mgdell,

    mgdell mgdell Aug 5, 2016 10:00 AM in response to jdw21
    Level 1 (53 points)
    iPad
    Aug 5, 2016 10:00 AM in response to jdw21

    You are much better off using your PowerPress Feed and even though you are hosting on SC, get the direct link to the file and put it in the podcast episode box > Media URL for your post.   That way iTunes is still pulling the same feed that you own, rather than letting soundcloud own your feed.

     

    -Mike

  • by jdw21,

    jdw21 jdw21 Aug 5, 2016 10:46 AM in response to mgdell
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Publishing
    Aug 5, 2016 10:46 AM in response to mgdell

    Wow! What a great idea. I don't know why I didn't think of that. Very simple way to do it. Are there any reasons to NOT do this? It seems like it would be the exact same way of doing things only instead of housing them on my server, I would instead be housing on SC.

     

    If I were to delete all my episodes from my server and say just keep my latest 4 on SC (and of course moving forward only upload on SC), would all those other episodes just disappear from my podcast page on iTunes?

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Aug 5, 2016 1:52 PM in response to jdw21
    Level 9 (77,925 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 5, 2016 1:52 PM in response to jdw21

    iTunes and the Store read exactly what is in the feed. If you delete episodes entries from the feed then they will disappear for subscribers who haven't yet downloaded them and in the Store. (Obviously once someone has downloaded an episode media file it remains on their computer no matter what you do.)

     

    If your feed references media files which are on your own server and you delete those, they will show in the Store and iTunes but won't play or download. (The Store caches the feed but it does not cache the media files.) If you have episode files on your server you can move them to Soundcloud but you then need to change the URL in the 'enclosure' tag to reflect that. Do not change the 'guid' tags (assuming you have them) or subscribers will find themselves downloading episodes again as they will look like new ones. If you do this you should leave the old files in place for two weeks until all subscribers have had a reasonable time to re-download the amended feed.

  • by jdw21,

    jdw21 jdw21 Aug 5, 2016 9:29 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Publishing
    Aug 5, 2016 9:29 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    Ok that makes sense. Thanks.

  • by jdw21,

    jdw21 jdw21 Aug 5, 2016 9:34 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Publishing
    Aug 5, 2016 9:34 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    I received a reply from Apple and their advice was:

     

    You can change the RSS Feed URL associated with your podcast in Podcasts Connect. In Podcasts Connect: 1. Click the podcast to be updated. 2. Type a new RSS feed URL in the text box. 3. Click Validate. 4. Fix any validation warnings or errors. 5. Click Save. Allow 24 hours for the podcast to be updated in the iTunes Store. You can migrate existing subscribers by updating your old RSS feed with the tag. Maintain the tag for at least four weeks to ensure that most subscribers have attempted to download your most recent episodes and received the new URL.

     

    What do you think? What tag would they be referring to? Is that what you referenced above? And if so, can you go into a little more depth and maybe an example of how to do that? Thanks!

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Aug 6, 2016 12:02 AM in response to jdw21
    Level 9 (77,925 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 6, 2016 12:02 AM in response to jdw21

    You need not use Podcasts Connect unless you are unable both to add the 'itunes:new-feed-url' tag to the feed or place a 301 redirect on the server. Those two methods will redirect both the Store and your subscribers; using Podcasts Connect will redirect the Store but will not redirect subscribers. If you can add the tag or use the 301 there is no need to use Podcasts Connect, though you could do so for completeness.

     

    The full details are explained in the page I linked to in my first response above, http://wilmut.uk/move

  • by jdw21,

    jdw21 jdw21 Aug 6, 2016 10:20 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Publishing
    Aug 6, 2016 10:20 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    Well basically that's what they are saying to do. The link they sent says to:

     

    1. Set your web server to return an HTTP 301 redirect response when it receives a request for the old feed.This response updates the iTunes Store with the new feed URL and your subscribers continue to receive new episodes automatically.
    2. Use the <itunes:new-feed-url> tag in your new feed to point to the new URL.For more information, see RSS tags for Podcasts Connect.

    Note: To ensure that most subscribers download your most recent episodes and receive the new feed URL, maintain the <itunes:new-feed-url> tag and the HTTP 301 redirect response for at least four weeks.

    I'm looking at your link to try and figure out how to place the HTTP 301 redirect. I must say, it's not very detailed and pretty confusing.

  • by jdw21,

    jdw21 jdw21 Aug 6, 2016 10:51 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Publishing
    Aug 6, 2016 10:51 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    As described above, I currently use PowerPress (Blubrry) for my feed. I was digging around in settings and found this: "iTunes New Feed URL". Does anyone know what this will do and if this would work?

    Screen Shot 2016-08-06 at 12.48.24 PM.png

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Aug 6, 2016 10:53 AM in response to jdw21
    Level 9 (77,925 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 6, 2016 10:53 AM in response to jdw21

    To set the 'itunes:new-feed-url' tag you simply have to be able to edit the feed (or have the facility available in any ready-made method). This page explains how to set up a 301 - https://www.123-reg.co.uk/support/answers/Web-Hosting/Scripting/301-redirect-415 1/ . Another page with information is http://www.bruceclay.com/blog/how-to-properly-implement-a-301-redirect/ Googling will throw up other instructional pages.

     

    The difference between these methods is that the tag works only with the iTunes Store and application; it's permanent once it's been seen (i.e. even if you remove it iTunes will remain using the new URL). The 301 applies to all feed readers. I understand it is also permanent.

     

    If you are only concerned with iTunes then the tag is sufficient and simpler. As mentioned above the Podcasts Connect method applies only to the Store, not to subscribers.

  • by Roger Wilmut1,

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Aug 6, 2016 10:56 AM in response to jdw21
    Level 9 (77,925 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 6, 2016 10:56 AM in response to jdw21

    jdw21 wrote:

     

    As described above, I currently use PowerPress (Blubrry) for my feed. I was digging around in settings and found this: "iTunes New Feed URL". Does anyone know what this will do and if this would work?

    Screen Shot 2016-08-06 at 12.48.24 PM.png

    This is a method for adding the tag to the feed as I described in my page and my other posts, and will operate as described in your image and my posts.

  • by jdw21,

    jdw21 jdw21 Aug 6, 2016 12:22 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Publishing
    Aug 6, 2016 12:22 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

    So if I understand you correctly, the method I just showed you on PowerPress is the same as adding the 'itunes:new-feed-url' tag like you describe above? Only working with iTunes Store and applications. The 301 applies to all feed readers but more extensive on getting done. Correct?

     

    So if I wanted to go the simpler route to transfer the feed AND keep all my subscribers I could do the following:

     

    1. Complete the iTunes Connect with changing the RSS URL to new one at SoundCloud

     

    2. Complete the "iTunes New Feed URL" in PowerPress and leave that there for up to four weeks and I would ensure that my subscribers (iTunes only) would remain intact.

     

    3. "Optional" Implement the 301 Redirect and leave in place for up to four weeks as well.

     

    Is that right?

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