Podcast hosting platform Libsyn continues to support tools that help podcasters migrate their shows without losing subscribers or episode visibility — including the ability to set up 301 redirects for RSS feeds. A 301 redirect tells podcast directories and subscriber apps that your podcast’s feed has permanently moved, ensuring listeners stay connected even after changing hosts.
Why 301 Redirects Matter in Podcasting
In podcasting, your RSS feed is the core delivery mechanism that directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast use to pull and display your episodes. If you change podcast hosts — for example, moving from one provider to another — the RSS URL also changes. Without a 301 redirect, many subscribers and apps would still be pointing to the old address and could miss new episodes or lose connection entirely.
A 301 redirect acts like a change‑of‑address notice for your podcast feed, automatically forwarding anyone who tries to access the old URL to your new feed location. When properly configured, listeners typically don’t notice anything has changed — their app simply fetches the latest episodes from the new source.
How Libsyn Handles Feed Redirects
Libsyn’s system allows podcasters to add 301 redirects directly within the dashboard under the Redirects settings. Once you enter your new feed’s URL and save, Libsyn will send a permanent redirect from the old RSS address to the new one. This covers all of Libsyn’s generated feeds, including those used by the major directories you distribute to.
In addition, the redirect setup is often paired with a new feed URL tag inserted into the new RSS feed itself. This tag tells certain directories — notably Apple Podcasts and its associated ecosystem — that the official location of your feed has changed, prompting them to update their records automatically without requiring listeners to re‑subscribe.
Migrating Between Hosts Without Losing Subscribers
The 301 redirect tool is especially valuable when migrating away from Libsyn as well. By keeping the old feed online with a redirect in place, podcasters can ensure listeners on directories that follow the redirect continue to receive new episodes from the new host’s feed. It’s generally recommended to keep the old hosting account active for several weeks after implementing the redirect so that directory caches and subscriber apps have enough time to refresh.
If you’re moving to platforms like Transistor, CoHost, or PodcastAI, instructions are similar: import your show to the new host first, get your new RSS feed URL, then configure the 301 redirect at Libsyn pointing to that new URL. This ensures subscribers, analytics tracking, and directory listings update properly without manual re‑subscription.
How 301 Redirects Work in Practice
While most major directories and apps automatically respect 301 redirects, some older or niche platforms may still require manual updates. It’s a good idea to check that your new feed is being used across your distribution network after setting up the redirect, especially in apps where user experience and refresh intervals vary.
For podcasters, the ability to redirect feeds permanently enhances control over migrations and reduces the risk of losing audience reach due to a host switch or rebranding. Properly implemented, a 301 redirect combined with feed tagging offers a seamless listener experience — the same show, same subscribers, just a new home for your episodes.
More about podcasts:
Staff Report
Staff Report
Staff Report
