TO: The iTunes/Apple Podcasts team at Apple.

FROM: Podcast professionals, podcasters, and those who love the medium.

SUBJECT: Implementation of policies aimed at "keyword stuffing" of title and author tags on Apple Podcasts/iTunes

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The latest hubub around the Podcasting space (Sept. 2018) is that the team or individuals managing the iTunes directory are booting podcasts from the directory if they "keyword stuff" their podcast titles or author tags.

We understand the policy and the abuses being addressed with this policy.

We are all FOR the principle behind what you're doing, but we don't believe it's being applied with proper discretion in a way that helps users, podcasters, OR the Apple Podcasts/iTunes team.

In the end - it's your platform, your policy, and you can apply it how you see fit.

But we - the people who use the platform - want to appeal to you to reconsider current practices and make adjustments that enhance the directory's effectiveness for all parties concerned.

As we see it, the issue is what "keyword stuff" actually means.

 

--------SOME EXAMPLES--------

 

Is THIS keyword stuffing?

"The Big Idea: How Innovation and Creativity Fuel Business Growth" 

We don't think so. The "extended title" (the portion after the colon)...

• Helps SEARCHERS know if the podcast is relevant for them.
• Helps PODCASTS be discovered by those searching for them.
• Makes the directory itself more functional and helpful to everyone

 

Is THIS keyword stuffing?

"The Big Idea: Business Tips for Start-Ups, Small Businesses, Corporations, Partnerships, CEOs, Middle Management, Content Marketing Pros, and Sales Professionals"

Absolutely. No question  

 

iTunes/Apple Podcasts team - let's look at this from YOUR perspective, OK?

• You want users of your directory to find RELEVANT results, right?
• You want those listing podcasts in your directory to connect with their ideal audience, right?
• You want iTunes/Apple Podcasts to have a great image and reputation in the podcasting community, right?
• You want to continue to be seen as a leader, innovator, and trend-setter in the podcasting space, right?

Changing the way the current "keyword stuffing" policy is implemented will fuel ALL of those desires.

 

-------SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS--------

Option #1: Leave the search algorithms, etc. as they are and use a more "common sense" approach to evaluating keywords in titles.

• Does the submitted title use keywords in a way that provides a better experience for the end user?
• Does it clarify what the podcast is about in a beneficial way, without using redundant or superfluous words?
•  Are the chosen keywords in the submitted title truly relevant to the subject matter of the podcast?

Option #2: Clarify the issue for users by...

• Issuing a submission guideline that make it clear what IS and IS NOT considered "keyword stuffing."
• State a limited number of keywords/tag allowed in titles
• Establish a default character count limit for titles (perhaps 120 characters)? 

 

Option #3: Keep tight restrictions on the titles as is currently being applied but reinstate the "keyword" or "tags" function to the search algorithms. Again, a clear guideline would be needed, but it seems the amazing programmers on your team could make this happen, easily.

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We appreciate all iTunes/Apple Podcasts has done thus far to encourage podcasting and make it possible for independent and big brand podcasters alike to have an opportunity to publish their content on such a wide-reaching platform as ApplePodcasts/iTunes.

We simply ask for a wise approach to be applied to this issue.

Thank you!