How to Move Your Podcast to Another Host (Without Losing Subscribers)
If you’ve been podcasting for a while, there will almost certainly come a moment when you ask:
“How do I move my podcast to another host?”
This guide is written specifically for existing podcasters—people with published episodes, real listeners, and a show they care about. It’s not theory. It’s based on years of helping podcasters safely move their shows without losing subscribers, rankings, or sleep.
Moving hosts is not hard—but it is precise. Done correctly, your audience won’t even notice the move.
First, Let’s Clear Up a Big Myth
Moving your podcast to a new host will not grow your audience.
That’s one of the most common (and expensive) misunderstandings I see.
Your podcast grows because of:
- Your content
- Your consistency
- Your promotion
A new host can absolutely give you better tools, better analytics, and a smoother workflow—but it does not magically add listeners. If growth is your goal, focus on improving your show. If better features are your goal, then switching hosts may make perfect sense.
Why Podcasters Usually Move to a New Host
The most common reasons I see podcasters switch hosting providers include:
- The new host offers features their current host doesn’t
- They want dynamic ad insertion or dynamic content
- Their current platform feels outdated or limiting
- Their current host has raised their prices.
- They don’t realize how podcast distribution actually works
That last point is critical:
You only need ONE podcast host.
Your host creates your RSS feed and syndicates your show to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and every other listening platform. You do not need a separate host for each platform.
A Common Real-World Example: Libsyn ? Captivate (or Buzzsprout / Transistor)
Libsyn is a solid, reliable hosting company and has been around since the early days of podcasting. They even offer advertising options, though those tend to be on the lower-paying side.
That said, podcasters who want:
- Dynamic ad insertion
- More modern interfaces
- Marketing-focused features
- Features to speed up episode production
Often choose to move from Libsyn to Captivate, or sometimes Transistor or Buzzsprout.
This isn’t about one company being “good” or “bad.” It’s about choosing the right host for how you podcast today.
The #1 Mistake Podcasters Make When Switching Hosts
The biggest mistake I see is simple—and costly:
Not redirecting the old feed to the new one
When this step is skipped, podcasters accidentally create:
- Duplicate podcast listings
- Confused subscribers
- SEO problems
- Drops in rankings
Your podcast feed is the blood of your show. Treat it with respect.
While it doesn’t really matter when you move, I strongly recommend one rule:
Do not multitask when setting up your redirect.
This is not the step to rush.
Here is an example where you just paste your new feed into your old host.
Behind the Scenes: What Happens to Your Stats
Here’s something most blog posts don’t mention.
When you move to a new host:
- You will usually lose some historical detail in your stats
- Some hosts allow you to import old stats
- Granular per-episode data may not fully transfer
This is normal and unavoidable.
If historical stats matter to you, ask your new host before you move what can and cannot be imported.
A Real Mistake I’ve Seen (and Why Accuracy Matters)
I once worked with a podcaster who set up a redirect—but included a typo in the new feed URL.
The result:
- Their audience was redirected into a black hole
- Podcast apps updated to a feed that didn’t exist
- Even after fixing the redirect, some listeners never returned
Once a podcast app updates to a bad feed, you may never get that listener back.
This is why focus and double-checking are non-negotiable.
The Exact Steps I Use to Move a Podcast
Here is the process I personally follow—and recommend.
Step 1: Confirm the Move Makes Sense
Before touching anything, ask:
- Does the new host have features I will actually use?
- Am I moving for tools—not because I expect audience growth?
- Does the new host offer a “301 Redirect” so you can take your audience with you if you decide to leave.
Step 2: Import Your Existing Feed into the New Host
Use your current RSS feed URL. Most modern hosts make this straightforward.
Step 3: Verify Every Episode
Never assume everything imported correctly.
- Check your first episode
- Check your most recent episode
- Click play and confirm they work
Step 4: Redirect the Old Feed to the New One
This is the most important step.
- Do not multitask
- Copy and paste carefully
- Triple-check the new feed URL
Step 5: Test the Redirect
Copy your old feed URL and paste it into any web browser.
If the redirect is working:
- The address will change
- You’ll see the new feed URL replace the old one (and maybe a bunch of code – that's normal)
Step 6: You’re Done
You do not need to:
- Re-submit your show to Apple Podcasts
- Re-submit to Spotify
- Create new podcast listings
The redirect handles everything.
What Actually Happens After You Redirect Your Feed
Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:
- A listener opens Apple Podcasts
- The app checks your show’s feed
- It sees a message that says, essentially, “This feed has moved”
- Apple Podcasts updates where it checks for new episodes
The next time that listener opens the app, it’s already using the new feed.
Will I Lose Subscribers If I Move Hosts?
Short answer: No—if the redirect is in place.
Any listener using your old feed will be automatically sent to the new one.
And if an app doesn’t recognize a 301 redirect?
That app is so outdated it shouldn’t be trusted anyway.
Final Thoughts
Moving your podcast to another host doesn’t have to be stressful.
Slow down. Focus. Double-check everything.
If done correctly, your listeners won’t notice a thing—and that’s the goal.
If you want me there by your side, you can hire me to walk you through the process.
