How to Transfer Your Podcast to Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Update your podcast's RSS feed URL when moving to a new platform
- Apple Podcasts requires a new feed tag and 301 redirect for smooth listener transition
- Keep RSS feed changes active for at least four weeks so all listeners can follow
- Squarespace has built-in tools to help with the technical bits
Moving your podcast to Squarespace doesn't have to be a headache. The key is getting your RSS feed sorted properly so your listeners don't get lost in the shuffle.
Preparing for the Move
Before you start shifting episodes around, you need to handle the technical foundation. Your RSS feed is what tells podcast platforms where to find your content. When you move hosts, you're essentially telling everyone "hey, I've moved house" and giving them your new address.
You'll need two things in place: a new feed URL tag and a 301 redirect. These work together to make sure platforms like Apple Podcasts can find your new episodes without breaking a sweat.
Moving Your Podcast to Squarespace
Get Your Squarespace Site Ready
Start with a trial account and publish your basic setup. You don't need everything perfect at this stage, just the foundation.
Create Your Podcast Blog
Set up a dedicated blog for your podcast within Squarespace. If you're coming from another platform, you can try importing your old episodes. Sometimes this works smoothly, sometimes it doesn't. WordPress and Blogger imports often need manual tweaking, so budget time for that.
Update Your Podcast Settings
Head to the Podcasting tab in your blog settings. This is where the magic happens. Look for 'Change Feed' and select 'Moving to Squarespace'. This automatically adds the Apple Podcasts feed tag that you need.
Set Up Your 301 Redirect
This is the bit that keeps your existing listeners happy. Point your old RSS feed URL to your new Squarespace URL. If you're bringing a custom domain over to Squarespace, you can handle this through their domain management settings.
The redirect tells anyone looking for your old feed "actually, it's over here now" and sends them to the right place.
Moving Away from Squarespace
If you're going the other direction and leaving Squarespace for another host, the process flips around.
Find your new host's RSS feed URL first. Then go into your Squarespace podcast blog settings (you'll find these under the Pages panel). Update the Feed settings with your new RSS URL.
Your new host should let you add the <itunes:new-feed-url> tag to their RSS feed setup. This completes the handoff.
Keep both the old and new feeds running for at least four weeks. Your audience will thank you for not dropping them mid-episode.
Switching Between Squarespace Sites
Sometimes you need to move a podcast from one Squarespace site to another. Maybe you're rebranding or consolidating sites.
Set up your podcast blog on the new site exactly like you did on the old one. Then update the RSS configurations to point listeners to your new site URL. Same principles apply, just with less platform-jumping.
Using External Feed Services
If you're using services like Podtrac or Blubrry for analytics, you can still make this work with Squarespace.
These services create a cloned feed that wraps around your main feed. Connect your Squarespace podcast feed to the external service first, then update your Squarespace settings to use the cloned feed URL instead of the direct one.
This way you keep your analytics while still hosting on Squarespace.
FAQs
How long should I keep the old RSS feed running?
At least four weeks. Apple recommends this timeframe to make sure all podcast apps and platforms pick up the change.
Can I move a podcast between two Squarespace sites?
Yes. Set up the podcast on your new site, then update the feed settings to point to the new location.
Do external analytics services work with Squarespace?
Yes. Services like Podtrac and Blubrry can create wrapper feeds that work with Squarespace hosting.
What happens if I mess up the redirect?
Your listeners might not be able to find new episodes. Fix it quickly and most podcast apps will catch up within a day or two.
Jargon Buster
RSS Feed – The behind-the-scenes file that tells podcast apps where to find your episodes and show information.
301 Redirect – A permanent forwarding address that automatically sends people from your old URL to your new one.
Feed Tag – Code that tells podcast platforms your show has moved to a new location.
Podtrac/Blubrry – Third-party services that track podcast downloads and can provide detailed analytics.
Wrap-up
Moving your podcast takes a bit more work than just copying files from one place to another. The technical bits matter because they keep your audience connected to your content.
Get your RSS feed and redirects sorted properly, and the move becomes much smoother. Your listeners won't even notice the change, which is exactly what you want.
Ready to make the move? Join Pixelhaze Academy for step-by-step guidance on getting your Squarespace podcast set up right.