Ever wondered if scoring a backlink from massive platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts could rocket your website’s SEO? You’re not alone. With podcasts exploding in popularity, every marketer, show host, and savvy website owner is hunting for that magic link boost. Maybe you just launched your interview podcast (congrats.), or you’re wrangling guest spots like a digital cowboy. But here’s the million-dollar question: Do podcast backlinks from Spotify or Apple Podcasts actually move the SEO needle? And are they dofollow, or is that just wishful thinking? Grab your favorite headphones (or your favorite coffee), because we’re about to pull back the curtain on podcast backlinks, spill the truth about dofollow rules, and give you a roadmap for real SEO gains (with a few of my most embarrassing “rookie mistakes” along the way).
Understanding Podcast Backlinks
Let’s start with the basics. Backlinks are simply links from one website to another. But not all backlinks wear the same superhero cape: some have more SEO weight than others. Podcast backlinks, specifically, pop up when your show or episode, hosted on sites like Spotify or Apple Podcasts, displays a link back to your site (usually in the show notes or creator bio).
But here’s the nuance: Backlinks from podcast platforms aren’t your everyday blog mentions. They’re the digital equivalent of getting your business card handed out at a world-class conference. Someone, maybe even thousands, stumble across your episode, see your link, and (if they’re curious or caffeinated) click through to your site. Plus, Google sees that big, authoritative site associating with you.
And, it’s not just listeners. Journalists, bloggers, and sometimes even potential business partners check show notes for sources, so your little link could go the distance beyond basic SEO. That’s why podcast backlinks are a secret weapon in the modern link-building arsenal… but only if you play your cards right (I’ll get to that bit shortly).
Quick “did you know?”: Some podcast directories scrape your show details and redistribute your links across a growing constellation of podcast apps. It’s a little like your podcast going viral, but with links. Wild, right?
How Backlinks Work on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Let’s get specific. Spotify and Apple Podcasts are the two juggernauts for distribution. But their approach to backlinks couldn’t be more different, and misunderstanding this has led more than one podcaster (ahem, me included) down the rabbit hole of ‘why isn’t this working?’
- Spotify: Go look up your podcast on Spotify. Spot the links in your show description or episode notes? Sometimes, yes. But here’s the curveball: Spotify strips out most active links from show notes, showing only plain text. Even if you popped your website in there with hopes of a juicy backlink, it’s just text. No clickable link. (Yep, I learned this one the hard way years ago after obsessively editing my bio for “maximum SEO.”) There may be exceptions for verified, branded shows, but for 95% of us, those links aren’t clickable. Google doesn’t follow what it can’t crawl.
- Apple Podcasts: Apple’s a bit more generous. If you drop a full URL (with the https://), it’ll usually display as a clickable link in the show notes. Awesome, right? But… not all clickable links are created equal (stay with me, we’ll get to nofollow/dofollow in a sec).
What does this mean for you?
- Your show notes should always include your primary links, but temper your expectations: Not every platform handles them the same way.
- Repurpose your show notes for multiple platforms, just know that Apple is friendlier than Spotify to clickable links.
- Listeners using podcast aggregator apps, like Overcast or Pocket Casts, might still get clickable (and crawlable.) links, thanks to how those platforms render show notes pulled from your RSS feed.
Sidebar: For a much deeper (and less frustrating) breakdown of where podcast backlinks show up, plus SEO hacks most podcasters ignore, check what the pros are doing at Podcast Backlinks (well worth a bookmark).
Are Podcast Links Dofollow or Nofollow?
Before you pop the confetti, let’s talk about the heart of the matter: the difference between dofollow and nofollow links.
- Dofollow links are the gold standard: search engines crawl them, pass SEO “juice,” and can help boost your site’s authority.
- Nofollow links, on the other hand, tell search engines not to count the link for ranking purposes. They’re still valuable for traffic, credibility, and brand discovery, but don’t give the raw SEO boost that makes rankings leap.
So what’s the verdict for podcast platforms?
Are podcast backlinks from Spotify or Apple Podcasts dofollow?
Let’s pull no punches:
- Spotify: Links are usually not clickable (and even if they’re visible, they aren’t dofollow, since search bots can’t crawl plain text). Sad trombone, I know.
- Apple Podcasts: Clickable links exist, but Apple slaps a rel=”nofollow” tag on external URLs. Yep. This means Google won’t pass authority through those links to your site. It’s official, Apple’s playing it safe on SEO.
- Other Podcast Directories: Some lesser-known apps and directories (think Podchaser, ListenNotes) do provide dofollow links in creator profiles or episode submissions. You have to dig, but these can add up, and sometimes pack more SEO punch than the big two.
TL:DR: You won’t get true dofollow backlink juice from Spotify or Apple Podcasts. But… don’t click away yet. There are still killer reasons to get listed, and plenty of “workarounds” if you’re after real SEO impact (keep reading).
How to Build Quality Podcast Backlinks
If you can’t count on the Spotify or Apple “juice,” you might be wondering, are podcast backlinks a waste of time? Absolutely not, and here’s why:
- Brand exposure and trust: Even if the SEO value is technically “nofollow,” you’re still putting your site in front of potential superfans, many of whom click links and share your stuff.
- Indirect SEO wins: Listeners, journalists, and bloggers regularly dig through show notes and may reference you (with a dofollow link.) on their own sites. It’s like the podcast version of networking at a party, you never know who’s in the room.
- Access to niche directories: As I hinted before, there are podcast platforms that do offer proper dofollow links. Some examples:
- Podchaser: They let you create a profile and add your website… and yes, most of those profile links are dofollow.
- ListenNotes: Offers structured profiles with proper, crawlable links.
- PodcastBacklinks.net: A specialized service aiming to build high-quality, contextual podcast backlinks (full disclosure, I found them after a very late-night research rabbit hole. These folks know exactly where the hidden goldmines are).
- Guest appearances: Being a guest on other podcasts pays long-term dividends. Most hosts will drop your site in their show notes, and their site might offer a dofollow backlink even if the major players don’t.
The punchline? Broaden your podcast backlink horizons. Those smaller sites and personal websites of podcast hosts can give you the classic, SEO-powerful links the big guys won’t.
Practical Steps to Secure Podcast Backlinks
So, you want to stack up actual, effective podcast backlinks? Here’s how to break out of the nofollow dead-end and start building a real backlink profile:
- Optimize Your Show Notes for External Sites
- Always include your website and key links in the show notes, even if Spotify doesn’t make them clickable. Lots of smaller players and aggregators display them as real links.
- Use full URLs (https://yourwebsite.com) for maximum compatibility.
- Example: My friend Sarah runs a cooking podcast, she dropped her site in every show note. Next thing she knew, aggregator sites pulled her link (intact.) and indexed it as dofollow. Low effort, real win.
- Submit to Directories That Offer Dofollow Links
- Take the time to claim and customize your profiles on sites like Podchaser, ListenNotes, and PodcastBacklinks.net. Don’t just settle for Spotify/Apple: there are dozens of directories.
- Keep your website as the first line in bios where possible.
- Pursue Podcast Guest Spots
- Reach out to hosts in your niche and offer value-packed appearances.
- Ask in advance if your site will be credited in their episode notes plus on their website (if they republish transcripts, even better).
- Do a little recon: If their site has a blog or a ‘press’ page, you’re in for a treat, these are often dofollow.
- Leverage Podcast-Related SEO Services
- If you’re pressed for time, consider working with a niche service like Podcast Backlinks that specializes in building real, white-hat links from reputable podcast-related platforms.
- Monitor Your Backlinks
- Use tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or even Google Search Console to see which podcast backlinks are crawling, indexing, and affecting your SEO profile.
- Fun fact: I once tracked a random ListenNotes backlink that started sending actual referral traffic. Validation.*
Evaluating the SEO Value of Podcast Platform Backlinks
Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room, if the big dogs are nofollow, why should you care at all?
- Brand authority & credibility: Even a nofollow link from Apple Podcasts associates your name/brand with a serious, established company. When you Google yourself (go ahead, I won’t judge, you know you do it), those platform listings look impressive to potential clients and journalists.
- Referral traffic: Not all links are about Google rankings. I’ve had podcast backlinks drive traffic spikes after a popular guest appearance, sometimes these listeners are more valuable than your average visitor because they already know and trust your voice.
- Link diversity: Google’s looking for a varied backlink profile, not just dofollow blog spam. Nofollow links from big platforms round out your mix.
- Viral potential: Here’s the fun twist, because podcast content is shared, syndicated, and cross-posted, your show link can end up in dozens of other places, some of which do pass SEO juice. It’s the six degrees of Kevin Bacon, but for backlinks.
Remember: not every valuable link has to be dofollow. Authority, real traffic, and exposure often start with being everywhere your listeners look for you, then parlay that trust into SEO gains elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions About Podcast Backlinks from Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Are podcast backlinks from Spotify dofollow or nofollow?
Podcast backlinks from Spotify are generally not dofollow. In most cases, Spotify strips out clickable links from show notes, so links appear as plain text and are not crawlable or recognized by search engines for SEO authority.
Do backlinks from Apple Podcasts help my SEO?
Backlinks from Apple Podcasts are displayed as clickable links if you use a full URL. However, Apple Podcasts applies a rel=”nofollow” tag, which means these links do not pass SEO authority to your site. They can still drive referral traffic and boost brand visibility.
Where can I get dofollow podcast backlinks?
For dofollow podcast backlinks, submit your shows or profiles to podcast directories like Podchaser, ListenNotes, and PodcastBacklinks.net. These platforms often allow real dofollow links that can positively impact your SEO rankings.
What is the value of nofollow links from major podcast platforms?
Even though Spotify and Apple Podcasts provide nofollow or non-clickable links, these mentions still offer value. They increase your brand’s credibility, drive referral traffic, help diversify your backlink profile, and may lead to others linking to you with dofollow backlinks.
How can I maximize SEO from podcast backlinks beyond Spotify and Apple?
Optimize your show notes with full URLs, submit your podcast to multiple directories, and pursue guest opportunities on other podcasts. Also, ensure you claim and complete your creator profiles on platforms that offer dofollow links to enhance your backlink strategy.
Can podcast backlinks lead to more dofollow links elsewhere?
Yes, podcast backlinks in your show notes can inspire journalists, bloggers, or listeners to reference your website on their own sites. These secondary links are often dofollow and can contribute significant SEO value over time.
