itunes featured list for video podcasts

[whateverworx]

I am new to video podcasting. Does anybody know how itunes chooses its "featured" section of pocasts?
thanks


www.whateverworx.org
http://feeds.feedburner.com/geotyme

[ElNacho]

yes. not to be bashin t3h n00bs04xs. but dont b new :P

there's no one u contact, pay, whatever. peeps just get there if they're already popular.

[Metaphore]

Seems to just be whoever

A. Is high profile (ie networks, celebs etc..)
B Catches the eye of the people that actually post them at iTunes.

[womengrow]

The same mystery goes for their "regular" podcasts.

Apple is trying to push iTunes and the sales of more iPods. If they feature shows that make (especially first time) listeners say "what is this %$#@" it does to some degree reflect badly on Apple.

Since the integration of podcasts, Apple has been gravitating more and more towards commercial podcasts or high profile podcasts. Ever once in a while, a little podcast that could will be prominently featured.

The only recipe for success that I can gather is:
- do a good show - care about your final product
- stand out in some way from the crowd (i.e. have name recognition, brand recognition or catch the eyes and ears of the guy who makes the selection)
- have artwork that will look "cool" in iTunes
- light apple-scented candles and wear good luck charms in the shape of an iPod

[whateverworx]

Thanks for the information and tips. I really appreciate it. Ill just keep on truckin

[frankmcma]

This is from the Apple website:

Being Featured on the iTunes Home Page

At iTunes, we’re constantly on the lookout for podcasts that are breaking new ground with this medium, have new or unusual content, or just capture our interest. When we find them, we like to feature them on the Podcasts home page. While there are no sure-fire ways to get your podcast featured (and no, we do not accept payments for promotion), there are some minimum requirements. To be featured by iTunes, podcasts must have:

1. An image. For image specs, see the iTunes RSS Tags section below.
2. A robust and accurate description.
3. Proper language, category, and explicit tagging.

In addition, featured podcasts must be regularly updated with new episodes. We occasionally feature a podcast after its first episode, but we generally like to see podcasts with at least 3 episodes, and we like to see that the most recent episode has been added in the past month. Ideally, the episdoes should be released on a regular and predictable basis. More than 100 podcasts are submitted every day, so it is impossible to feature all of the good ones.

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I do 5 different podcasts and all 5 have been featured on the front page of iTunes. I think aside from the above, really make your RSS bullet-proof and really geared to iTunes, with tags and stuff from here:

http://www.apple.com/itunes/podcasts/techspecs.html

Also don't use any commercial music or clips, I think if Apple sees any hints of copyright issues, they probably will pass on it.

And make sure the associated website looks real good. A great graphic, tight RSS coding, spiffy website, updated show and full descriptions make the show much more appealing and the chances it will be featured go way up.


Franklin