There’s no doubt that podcasting has come a long way, but the way we distribute and interact with shows hasn’t changed much.
Enter Podcasting 2.0 — a movement aiming to make podcasting more open, interactive, and creator-friendly.
The movement centers around turning a simple RSS feed into a smarter tool: one that improves discoverability, supports listener engagement, and opens new ways for creators to connect with their audience. While still in its early days, Podcasting 2.0 is already shaping the future of the medium with features like transcripts, interactive tags, and listener-supported funding.
In this guide, we’ll break down what Podcasting 2.0 really is, why it matters for creators and brands, and which initiatives are leading the charge.
TL;DR: What is podcasting 2.0?
- Open ecosystem: Podcasting 2.0 aims to keep podcasts decentralized, giving creators more control instead of relying solely on big platforms like Spotify or YouTube.
- Smarter RSS feeds: New tags in RSS feeds enable transcripts, social interactions, episode recommendations, and other interactive features that make podcasts more discoverable and engaging.
- Faster updates: Tools like Podping notify apps instantly when a new episode drops, cutting down delays and improving the listener experience.
- Direct listener support: Value-for-Value payments let fans contribute directly to creators, often in small transactions using cryptocurrency, bypassing traditional ad models.
- Leveling the playing field: Independent podcasters gain access to features previously reserved for big networks, helping them compete, grow audiences, and strengthen their brand presence.
What is a podcast RSS feed?
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, and if you’ve ever listened to a podcast, you’ve already benefited from it (whether you knew it or not). It’s been around since podcasting’s early days (2003 to be exact), delivering audio files from creators to listeners all over the world.
At its heart, an RSS feed is just a computer-friendly XML file. Inside that file are “tags,” which are like little containers of information. Each tag can hold details about your show — like its title, author, website, and of course, the location of your audio files. When a podcast app (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast — you name it) checks your feed, it reads these tags and knows what to show listeners, what to play, and where to find each episode.
But here’s the cool part: RSS feeds aren’t static. By adding new tags, we can make the feed smarter, more interactive, and more useful. Some tags create features that listeners can enjoy — like chapter markers, images, or ways to support your show — and if apps support those tags, your feed can do things it never could before.
So, when someone says “RSS is old-school,” just remember: it may be old, but it’s still the backbone of podcasting — and thanks to new ideas like Podcasting 2.0, it’s getting an upgrade that keeps it relevant and powerful.
What is podcasting 2.0 anyway?
Podcasting 2.0 is a community-driven, open-source initiative that aims to modernize podcasting without handing over the keys to giant tech platforms.
It’s led by volunteers to make the RSS-based ecosystem stronger, more flexible, and more future-proof. The goal is to add modern features to podcasts without relying on closed systems like Spotify or YouTube.
Think of Podcasting 2.0 as an effort to give RSS (the open web technology powering podcasts we just talked about) a much-needed glow-up.
Some of the key innovations include:
- Transcripts: Letting creators embed transcripts right in the feed so apps can display them natively.
- Social interaction tags: Allowing comments, likes, and other forms of audience engagement.
- Podrolls: A “you might also like” section, helping creators recommend other shows.
- Value-for-value payments: Listeners can directly support creators using cryptocurrency. (Think Patreon meets Venmo)
What podcasting 2.0 means for brands and creators
For many podcasting 2.0 supporters, the biggest threat to podcasting isn’t a lack of listeners — it’s the slow erosion of openness. Proponents of podcasting 2.0 say:
- Closed platforms are taking over. Spotify and YouTube make podcasts easy to find and share, but they’re walled gardens.
- Audience habits are shifting. Roughly one-third of Americans now say they listen to podcasts on YouTube. Great for reach — not so great for ownership.
- Data and control are slipping away. Every time a listener moves from RSS to a closed platform, creators give up a bit more autonomy and direct connection with their audience.
Podcasting 2.0 is a push to reverse that trend — to keep podcasting open, independent, and built around the people who make and listen to shows.
For brands and creators, adopting 2.0-friendly features could mean:
- Better accessibility and discoverability: Features like transcripts and rich metadata make episodes easier to find and more inclusive for all listeners.
- More authentic collaboration: Podrolls make cross-promotion easier, helping shows recommend other relevant podcasts directly in their feed.
- Stronger audience relationships: New tags allow for listener interactions, live event links, and even direct support — all within the RSS ecosystem.
- Greater independence: Staying connected to your audience through open feeds means you own your data, your growth, and your brand identity.
Podcasting 2.0 is still in progress. Not every app supports every new feature, and adoption will take time. But for brands and creators who care about control, connection, and long-term growth, it’s a direction worth paying attention to.
Key features of podcasting 2.0
Podcasting 2.0 is a collection of ideas aimed at making podcasting more open, interactive, and listener-friendly. Some of these initiatives are already in action, while others are still being debated by podcasters and industry pros about whether they’re worth expanding.
With that said, let’s break down the four main initiatives shaping Podcasting 2.0 right now:
1. The Podcast Index
For years, Apple Podcasts acted as the unofficial directory of the podcast world. Most listening apps pulled their data straight from Apple’s index, which gave one company a lot of control over how shows were listed and discovered.
The Podcast Index was created to challenge that setup. It’s an open directory that anyone can submit their podcast to, and any app can use. The goal is simple: keep podcasting open and decentralized so no single platform decides what gets visibility or access. It’s an effort to make sure podcasting stays a space for free speech, diversity, and innovation.
2. The Podcast Namespace
If the Podcast Index is the library, the Podcast Namespace is the language it uses to describe everything inside.
Every podcast runs on an RSS feed, which is made up of “tags” — small pieces of code that tell apps what your show is called, who made it, where the audio files live, and so on. Podcasting 2.0 expands that system by creating new tags that add more functionality.
For example, one tag might tell an app that an episode is part of a live recording, while another might link to transcripts or social handles. These tags only work if apps and hosts agree to use them — but when they do, they unlock powerful features for both creators and listeners.
3. Podping
If you’ve ever uploaded a new episode and wondered why it takes hours to show up on Apple or Spotify, you’ve experienced the limits of traditional RSS. Apps “crawl” feeds on their own schedule, meaning updates can be delayed.
Podping solves that problem. It uses blockchain technology to instantly notify podcast directories when a feed changes — like when a new episode drops. That means faster updates, fewer delays, and a smoother experience for listeners.
Think of it as podcasting’s version of a push notification system: when you publish, apps know right away.
4. Value-for-Value
Value-for-Value (V4V) is about rethinking how podcasters get paid. Instead of relying on ads or sponsors, listeners can directly send payments — often in small amounts or “micropayments” — to the creators they love.
Using cryptocurrency (typically Bitcoin), fans can “boost” episodes, send tips with short messages (called boostagrams), or set up ongoing contributions. It’s an experimental but growing model that puts more control in the hands of creators and audiences, rather than intermediaries.
Podcasting 2.0 FAQ
How does this affect indie podcasters?
For smaller creators, Podcasting 2.0 is about leveling the playing field. It gives independent podcasters tools that were once only accessible to larger networks, like listener-supported funding and richer feed options. It also encourages more standardization across platforms, which means your episodes are more likely to behave consistently no matter where they’re played.
What makes Podcasting 2.0 different from traditional podcasting?
Traditional podcasting mostly relies on basic RSS — it works, but it’s limited. Podcasting 2.0 builds on that foundation with new features called “tags” that add more functionality. For example:
- Transcript tags make your episodes searchable and accessible.
- Social interaction tags allow apps to show comments or listener feedback.
- Podrolls let creators recommend other shows directly in their feed.
- Value-for-Value tags enable direct listener payments via Bitcoin or other means.
In short, Podcasting 2.0 makes open podcasting smarter, more interactive, and more competitive with the sleek user experience of closed platforms.
Is Podcasting 2.0 widely adopted yet?
Not yet — and that’s part of the challenge. Some podcast hosts (like Captivate and RSS.com) and apps (like Fountain, Podverse, and Podcast Addict) already support many 2.0 features, but adoption is still uneven. The movement is growing, but it’s still in its early stages. For CoHost, we’re looking at continuing our own research on Podcasting 2.0 and releasing updates to support it in 2026.
Who’s behind Podcasting 2.0?
Podcasting 2.0 isn’t a company — it’s a community. Developers, podcast hosts, app builders, and creators contribute to the initiative through open collaboration. The movement was co-founded by Adam Curry and Dave Jones, who also built The Podcast Index — a global, open directory of RSS-based podcasts that anyone can use. Think of it as an alternative to Apple’s index, designed to keep podcast discovery decentralized.
Closing thoughts on podcasting 2.0
For some, Podcasting 2.0 is one of the most exciting evolutions the industry has seen in years, but it’s still finding its footing.
The ideas behind it are strong: keep podcasting open, give creators more control, and bring innovation back to the RSS feed. The reality, though, is that adoption takes time. For these features to work, both podcast hosts and listening apps need to speak the same technical language, and right now, not everyone does.
Still, the movement matters. It’s a signal that the podcasting community isn’t standing still while closed platforms tighten their grip. Whether or not you’re ready to dive into Podcasting 2.0 today, it’s worth paying attention to. Because the future of podcasting — open, connected, and creator-led — depends on how well we balance innovation with accessibility.
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