How to Build SEO Friendly Show Notes for Your Podcast

Podcasting has many different production elements when creating a podcast show. While many people listen to podcasts, a few start off creating a podcast. Of those who develop podcasts, only a few have show notes that will rank in the Google index search and create great SEO for their business or platform.

As a show notes writer and having written show notes for over 500 episodes of different podcasts, I have seen the power of excellent show notes. When you write show notes with good searchability, your show notes could easily make your website outrank and surpass your competition. I’ve seen this happen in more than one show that I’ve written for in the past.

Good show notes can take your engagement from good to great!

In addition, your show notes could be the top item or content that shows up on multiple different searches, depending on whom you interview and the topic of your show. So, are you ready to outrank and be on the first page of Google using your show notes? Read on to find out how to structure and create show notes that your listeners - and Google - will love to read!

Creating Show Notes with Keywords

You’ve probably heard that keywords are essential to website content for searchability - they’re also important to show notes. While you don’t want to overstuff keywords into your show notes every sentence, it’s a good idea to choose a keyword to focus on when you’re writing your show notes. Then, make sure to have that keyword in your title and description. 

In addition to your podcast title and description, you’ll also want to have the keyword for your episode’s show notes in your social media descriptions as well. Google loves keywords, so choose a keyword using the tool Google Trends.

Be Concise When Writing Your Podcast Show Notes

Your listeners would like a summary but not an explanation of what is going on in your interview - that’s where listening comes into play for your podcast. Clients I write for sometimes want me to tell all in the show notes, but that’s not their purpose. The purpose of show notes is for listeners of podcasts to find your show when they search their favorite podcast player for a topic they want to listen to on a podcast. So make sure your summary is straightforward and doesn’t give a bunch of details of your show. You want to let your listener know what they’re in for without giving them spoilers about what will happen in the episode.

Skip the Bullet Points and Time Stamps in Your Show Notes

One client I wrote an episode of show notes for wanted me to follow their “outline” for show notes. Their notes had two sentences and 22 bullet points of what the podcast episode was about for that podcast. Wow! Who wants to read 22 bullet points? I’ve heard of death by PowerPoint, but death by show notes? That’s not content that is inviting or will hook anyone into listening to your show.

Bullet points are great in short quantities of three or less. However, no bullet points are preferable as people tend to skip over them when reading. When you put lots of bullet points on your show notes, you're not only making them dull and unreadable but also lowering your SEO factor. When Google finds bullet points, the search engine will devalue your content, meaning that content that you spent time making will downrank your Google search. 

Timestamps are another items that clients feel that they need in their show. Quite honestly, out of the thousands of podcasts I’ve listened to, I’ve only used a timestamp one time. With Apple podcasts and other major podcast players limiting your show notes to 4000 characters (not words), you’ll want to use that valuable real estate content for searchable content that will increase your ranking so more people will see your podcast on a search.

Remember, starting a podcast takes time and effort. So stay committed, enjoy the process, and be patient as you grow your audience and refine your podcasting skills.

Need assistance with your podcast show notes? Download my free ebook How to Write Podcast Show Notes Like a Pro today!