Redirects are some serious business, and we get that they can be a little intimidating. But don’t worry, collectively we’ve handled hundreds of redirects, so we know a thing or two about them. We’ve gathered all your most frequently asked questions about redirects into one single support article to help calm your nerves. So grab a cup of chamomile, sit back, and relax.
What is a redirect?
A 301 redirect is a permanent change that tells podcast platforms and apps (like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.) that your podcast feed has moved to a new URL. When a listener or app tries to access your old feed, they’re automatically redirected to the new one.
🔑 Key Terms:
- RSS Feed (or Feed): The file that contains your podcast’s metadata and audio file links.
- Host: The platform where your podcast lives (e.g., PRX Dovetail).
- 301 Redirect (or Redirect): A web-forwarding command that points your old RSS feed to your new one.
- Feed Import: The process of copying your show’s content from one host to another.
Why do I need a redirect?
Redirects ensure a seamless transition when changing hosts. They ensure your subscribers are forwarded to your new feed so they don’t miss your latest episodes, preserve your show’s listing in apps, and maintain download continuity.
Will I lose subscribers?
Not if the redirect is done correctly. Podcast apps automatically follow 301 redirects, so your listeners won’t need to take any action and won’t notice the change.
Are redirects permanent?
Yes. A 301 redirect is designed to be permanent. Once you set it up, leave it active as long as possible. Removing it too soon can result in the loss of subscribers or broken links.
How do I redirect my feed to Dovetail?
You’ll need to log in to your current hosting provider and follow their instructions for adding a 301 redirect to your new Dovetail RSS feed.
🔗 See our How to Redirect to Dovetail article for platform-specific steps.
How do I redirect my feed on Dovetail to a different distributor?
🔗 If your feed was set up using Feedburner as a proxy, you can follow these instructions to redirect it.
If your feed was created with help from the PRX Distribution team (or if you’re unsure) reach out to us at podcast-support@prx.org and we’ll help you figure out next steps.
How do I know my redirect was successful?
🔗 You can use tools like Redirect Detective to confirm that your old feed is pointing to your new Dovetail URL.
Another quick option is to paste your old RSS feed URL into a Chrome browser. When you hit enter, the browser will follow the redirect and automatically display your new feed URL, confirming the redirect is working correctly.
If I import my feeds to Dovetail, will that automatically initiate a redirect?
No. Importing copies your content, but it does not redirect your old feed. You must set up a 301 redirect from your old feed to your new Dovetail feed.
Can I transfer my download data to my new host?
No. Most hosts do not allow the import of past download data. We recommend downloading and keeping those numbers for your records from your previous host, but they won’t appear in your new host’s dashboard.
Will the redirect affect my embed players?
Depending on your hosting provider, your embed players may not work after a redirect. Before redirecting, make sure to update any embed players on your site to use your new Dovetail embed player or, if you're using your own custom player, update the MP3 URLs accordingly.
🔗 To make this easier, Dovetail offers the option to export either:
- A list of direct MP3 URLs
- A list of Dovetail’s embeddable iframe URLs.
How do I notify podcast apps that my feed has been redirected?
Most apps will automatically follow the redirect. For platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music, you can log in to your account dashboards to manually update your feed URL to your new Dovetail feed.
How quickly after my feed has been redirected is my new feed live?
Redirects take effect almost immediately; however, some podcast apps cache feed data, so changes may take a few hours (or up to 24) to be reflected.
When is the best time to redirect my feed?
Redirect after your new feed is fully set up, episodes are published, and you’ve tested the feed. Avoid redirecting right before or during a major episode release, if possible.
What happens with my ads when I redirect my feed? Do those transfer over automatically?
Only ads inserted directly into the audio file (baked-in ads) will carry over during a feed transition. Dynamically inserted ads from your previous host won’t transfer unless they're manually reconfigured in Dovetail. To avoid disruptions, ensure your ad strategy is fully set up in Dovetail before initiating a redirect.
🔗 Check out our support article on best practices for transitioning campaigns.
When can I close the account with my old host after I’ve redirected my feed to Dovetail?
We recommend keeping your old hosting account active for at least 30 days after redirecting. This allows time for all platforms and listeners to transition fully.
Should I submit my feeds to podcast apps before or after a redirect?
If your show is already live on podcast apps, don’t resubmit. Redirect the feed and update it in any app dashboards that support this feature (such as Apple and Spotify). Only submit a new feed if this is a new podcast.
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