Getting a 403 error on the podcast link, but works manually

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Level 1

1 points

Getting a 403 error on the podcast link, but works manually

I'm going through the iTunes podcast submission process and I get an error when I enter the Podcast Feed URL: http://www.profootballfocus.com/itunes.xml

Error message is "We had difficulty reading this feed. Bad http result code: 403"

But it passes the verifyer fine, and If you click on iTunes->Advanced->Subscribe to Podcast.. then it loads up the podcast fine, has all of the episodes etc.

So it seems to me that the issue must be in the process somewhere, are Apple having problems with their podcast submission process or is there anything else I'm missing? I can't see any contact form or anything where I can actually email somebody.

Thanks.

Posted on Nov 30, 2012 5:57 AM

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Answer 1

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Roger Wilmut1

Level 10

131,146 points

Nov 30, 2012 8:22 AM in response to SamMonson

Error 403 is 'access to this URL is forbidden'. Since it's perfectly accessible in a browser and in the iTunes application it's difficult to see what the problem is. Either the Store is having trouble with submissions process, which of course is something one can't test, or your server is throwing an objection when the request comes from them. This is unusual but it's not impossible - we've seen cases where podcast episodes which seemed OK wouldn't play in the Store - though I've never seen an explanation for it nor indeed confirmation that this really is the reason. I can only suggest you ask the people running your server. Perhaps their logs may show something.

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Answer 2

Dec 5, 2012 6:47 PM in response to SamMonson

I'm having the same problem. I even tried uploading the file to another server and resubmitting - same error.

But it does work manually. It verifies on the feedvalidator. And it works fine on Feedburner.

We can't be the only two people with this issue. Where is the support from Apple?

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Answer 3

Dec 5, 2012 11:34 PM in response to aidancrawford

As you haven't posted your feed URL one can only give a genernal answer which basically is the same as above: with a situation as you describe the server may be failing to handle requests which come from the iTunes Store. Since most people don't have any problem this suggests that the issue is with your server and it would be up to the people running it to sort this out. In your case as two servers have this issue that explanation may not cover it, but in that case there may be a problem with your feed. Validating in FeedValidator isn't necessarily a clean bill of health.

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Answer 4

SamMonson Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 6, 2012 9:24 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Is there any way of finding out if Apple is having problems with the submission process? As best we can figure there is no problem with our server and the url looks clean, but still no joy.

We just need to know if we need to keep looking our end or if it's a problem at Apple's. Presumably if it were it wouldn't last very long, but then there doesn't seem to be any process to report issues to them.

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Answer 5

Dec 6, 2012 9:38 AM in response to SamMonson

Hi Sam,

Are you using Wordpress? Someone just suggested a security plugin could be the culprit. And when I think back this all started when I updated Bulletproof.

I'm trying an alternate domain this afternoon to see if that helps.

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Answer 6

Dec 6, 2012 10:11 AM in response to SamMonson

SamMonson wrote:

...but then there doesn't seem to be any process to report issues to them.

You could try emailing them at podcasts 'at' apple.com, but don't be surprised if you get a form answer telling you you to submit a podcast.

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