XML Placement for Podcast?

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XML Placement for Podcast?

Hi all,

Where do I place the XML feed as outlined on http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/specs.html#example?

I'm confused where all this information even goes behind the scenes so iTunes has the podcast information/author/descrip:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

In the RSS Feed? I'm using feedburner and it's giving me no option to input XML code.

In the blog itself? Where in the HTML tag for each podcast post?

In the audio file somehow? In the media description on each MP3?

I must be missing something because I can't find this information anywhere. Even Apple care staff couldn't help me.

Thanks for any guidance.

Yvette

Posted on Mar 23, 2013 9:00 PM

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Answer 1

iheartlife Author

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Apr 3, 2013 12:10 PM in response to iheartlife

I spoke with iTunes and they asked:

"Would you like us to update your podcast with the feed http://iheartlifeinc.com/?feed=rss2 ?"

Then they wrote back 2 days ago:

Hello,

Your podcast has been activated and updated with the requested feed.

Please allow 1-2 days before you see your podcast live in the Store.

Thank you,

Elisa-Maria

I deleted this feed: http://iheartlifeinc.com/feed/ days ago

re: iTunes is using the feed at http://iheartlifeinc.com/feed/

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Answer 2

iheartlife Author

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Apr 3, 2013 12:11 PM in response to iheartlife

This is what iTunes support wrote:

Hi Yvette,

Have you run your feed through feedburner here: http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/myfeeds?gsessionid=WtEVrmu8A9XOPvQ1QdZTgg ?

Your podcast appears to be pointing to the same episode as included in this feed: http://iheartlifeinc.com/?feed=rss2

desired feed

compared with what's in the Store:

Would you like us to update your podcast with the feed http://iheartlifeinc.com/?feed=rss2 ?

Please let us know how we can assist further.

Thank you,

Elisa-Maria

--I didn't understand what they were trying to say. Then they updated and confirmed the feed is http://iheartlifeinc.com/?feed=rss2, updated 2 days ago.

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Answer 3

Apr 3, 2013 12:16 PM in response to iheartlife

http://iheartlifeinc.com/?feed=rss2

redirects to http://iheartlifeinc.com/feed/

There is a feed at that address and it is the one iTunes is using. The episode of April 1 does not have any playable media.

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Answer 4

iheartlife Author

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Apr 3, 2013 1:50 PM in response to iheartlife

Thank you. So if it redirects there, I don't know how that happened, it's nothing I knowingly did or set up..unless I didn't realize I did. When I posted the episodes to the blog (http://iheartlifeinc.com/ep2-faith-or-fiction/), I've done nothing different than I did for the Mar 24 episode. I just posted the media file onto the blog post and labeled it an audio post. I did nothing different in set up to have different results with iTunes. That's where I'm confused.

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Answer 5

Apr 3, 2013 2:13 PM in response to iheartlife

The two URLs are the same feed - the one ending in rss2 simply redirects to the other, so that even if that's what is registered with iTunes it lands up with http://iheartlifeinc.com/feed/

Feedburner is out of the loop - you won't get any tracking because iTunes is not using the Feedburner feed. I assume the Feedburner feed is basically the same although you haven't posted the URL. It is presumably drawing its information from the same feed. If you want to be using the Feedburner feed you will have to go through the process detailed here to change it, or email Support at podcasts 'at' apple.com and ask them to change it - but you will still have the same problem you have now. Personally I'd get the present feed working first and then check that the Feedburner feed works properly when subscribed to before you try using it.

Your web page for episode 1 contains a media player and a direct link to the mp3 file. Your web page for episode 2:

http://iheartlifeinc.com/ep2-faith-or-fiction/

contains no media player and no link to an mp3 file, only a link via a proxy server to your iTunes Store page: which is why there is no media file in the episode in the feed and so iTunes is not showing the episode. This is something you will have to sort out in WordPress and I can't advise you on that.

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Answer 6

iheartlife Author

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Apr 7, 2013 12:27 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Thank you, Roger, for your help! My iTunes podcast is finally up and running. Couldn't have done it without you.

I wanted to share something that works with any WP blog for podcasters: the Blubrry Press plugin. It enables metrics and includes all the fields to update iTunes with your podcast information. Great plugin!

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Answer 7

Apr 7, 2013 12:49 AM in response to iheartlife

I'm glad you've got it working. It's a pity that Wordpress seems to be so difficult to fathom out - it causes an awful lot of problems - so well done for getting it sorted.

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