Image not showing on podcast

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Level 1

11 points

Image not showing on podcast

Hello,

I've got my podcast feed sorted but my image won't show on iTunes. I've got different images for individual episodes (everything on the feed is just temporary mock up artwork/audio files) but the main image just shows the standard apple podcast logo. It's annoying because the image link definitely works and I really can't seem to work out what is wrong with the image code! the link to my feed is http://www.fromdubaiwithlove.com/feed/podcast.xml

If any one knows where I'm going wrong (or notices anything else wrong with my feed...) I'd be very grateful. Thanks very much every one!

Posted on Jul 30, 2013 11:13 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 31, 2013 12:25 AM in response to jbird86

Your iTunes Store page is at

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/from-dubai-with-love/id665638663?mt=2

There are two separate issue here. The 'podcast' image which should appear on the Store page is correctly referenced in the feed and exists on the server. The Store can be quite slow to show new images, so it's just a question of waiting.

You have an 'itunes:image' tag for each episode but iTunes does not read these. If you want individual images for each episode they have to be actually embedded in the media file - this page gives more details:

http://www.wilmut.webspace.virginmedia.com/notes/coverart.html

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Answer 2

jbird86 Author

Level 1

11 points

Jul 31, 2013 12:46 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Thanks for your reply Roger!

It's very strange because the Podcast image has been linked to the podcast for about 2 weeks now and it's never shown. The episode images aren't embedded in the audio file so it looks like the 'itunes:image' tag seems to be working! Do you think maybe if I uploaded the episodes again with embedded artwork and removed the image tag from each episode 'item' section that the main podcast image would display?

Thanks

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Answer 3

Jul 31, 2013 12:57 AM in response to jbird86

I'm afraid it's not unusual for the Store to take several weeks to show a new image - it seems to get stuck sometimes.

the 'itunes:image' tags within the episode tags are not read by iTunes: it doesn't matter whether they are there or not. If you embed the images in the actual media files they will show immediately for subscibers (not of course where people have already downloaded the file). This won't have any effect on the Store page - that will show the image when it gets round to it irrespective of the embedding business.

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Answer 4

jbird86 Author

Level 1

11 points

Aug 5, 2013 2:03 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Are you familiar with the Apple Podcasts app or viewing podcasts on iTunes? When I search for my podcast the episodes display the image in a tiny thumbnail. Neither episodes have an image embedded in the mp3 but the <item> has an itunes:image link. I tried uploaded another test episode (episode 3) without the itunes image tag as you suggested and it doesnt display on itunes!

It's very confusing to someone who has learned all this very recently. Is there any trusted podcast xml creators you would suggest? Or do you think my feed is good enough over all?

Thanks very much!

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Answer 5

Aug 5, 2013 2:20 AM in response to jbird86

It appears that the image for individual episodes in the Search results is indeed drawn from the 'itunes:image' tag within the episode - I don't normally look at that so I don't know whether it's a recent development. So you can put an image in this way for episode 3.

However this image does not appear in the iTunes Store page or when you subscribe. If you want an image to appear when subscribing then it has to be embedded in the media file as I indicated. This image doesn't show until you actually start playing the episode, when it appears as a small image at the top. If you command-click on this you will get a pop-up with the larger version.

Your feed is fine, I shouldn't worry about that.

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