How to choose the right categories for your podcast

Last updated on January 3rd, 2026 at 07:50 am

Why choosing the right podcast categories increases your visibility

Choosing the right podcast categories is one of the easiest and most effective ways to grow your podcast audience organically.

When you upload your show to a podcast hosting platform, you’ll be asked to select a few categories. These categories are how Apple Podcasts and Spotify understand what your show is about and who should see it.

Think of it as the SEO of podcasting. If you choose the wrong category, your show may never reach the listeners who need it most. But when you pick the right one, your podcast can start showing up in search results, top charts, and related shows automatically.

For example, instead of selecting a broad category like “Business,” choosing “Business > Entrepreneurship” can double your discoverability. That’s because you’ll appear in both the main and subcategory searches.

Want to make sure your show is optimised from day one? Grab the free Podcast Launch Roadmap, it walks you through all 15 steps to creating and launching a successful podcast.

Common mistakes podcasters make when choosing categories

If you’ve ever looked at the full list of Apple or Spotify podcast categories and felt overwhelmed, you’re not the only one.

Most new podcasters make one (or more) of these mistakes:

• Choosing only broad categories like “Business” or “Health” (which makes your show harder to find)
• Ignoring subcategories that could double your reach
• Picking random categories just to “fill the list”
• Avoiding updates later, even when their content evolves

Fixing this is easy.

Here’s how to select SEO-friendly podcast categories that make your show easier to find and help you grow your podcast downloads faster.

Step 1: Choose a primary category with a subcategory

Your main category should directly describe your show’s focus and ideally, include a subcategory.

For example:

• Instead of “Business,” go with “Business > Entrepreneurship.”
• Instead of “Health & Fitness,” choose “Health & Fitness > Mental Health.”

This strategy helps you appear under two listings instead of one. And that small tweak can make a huge impact on your podcast discoverability.

Step 2: Select a second category that broadens your audience

Your secondary category can help you reach another relevant audience.

For example, if your show focuses on mindset for entrepreneurs, combine:

• “Business > Entrepreneurship” with “Health & Fitness > Mental Health.”

This mix positions your podcast in front of both business and wellness listeners, exactly the kind of overlap that can grow your podcast audience faster.

Step 3: Use your third category for extra exposure

Apple Podcasts allows you to choose up to three categories. Use all three!

If each one includes a subcategory, your podcast could appear in six searchable places.

Example:

• Category 1: Business > Entrepreneurship
• Category 2: Health & Fitness > Mental Health
• Category 3: Education > How To

That’s six different ways new listeners could find your podcast.

What happens when you choose the right categories

When your categories align with your content and audience, you’ll should notice results:

• You’ll appear in more Apple Podcasts and Spotify searches
• Listeners who find your show are genuinely interested in your topic
• Your audience grows, without paid ads
• You attract more relevant guest opportunities and collaborations

Why optimising podcast categories matters for growth

Podcasting has exploded, there are now more than 4 million active podcasts worldwide. But not all of them are optimised for discoverability.

By taking a few minutes to update your categories strategically, you can:

• Improve your podcast SEO on every platform
• Increase your visibility
• Attract listeners who already care about your topic
• Build authority in your niche faster

This is a small, one-time change that can have a lasting effect on your show’s growth.

For even more visibility, check out How to Write a Podcast Description That Attracts Listeners and How to Make a Podcast Trailer That Attracts New Listeners

How to grow your podcast audience with better category strategy

Ready to start? Here’s what to do next:

1. Review your podcast niche. Who is your ideal listener and what are they searching for?
2. Pick your top three categories. Make sure each one includes a subcategory.
3. Update your listing. Log into your hosting platform and add your new categories and show description.
4. Expand your reach through podcast guesting. Download my free Podcast Guest Pitch Template to land more guest spots and grow your audience even faster.

If you’d like personal support refining your categories, keywords, and launch strategy, you can book a free 15-minute discovery call with me. We’ll make sure your podcast is optimised for visibility from day one.

Key podcast category takeaways for better discoverability

• Always choose categories with subcategories for more visibility
• Your first category should be your podcast’s main niche
• Use up to three categories for six possible listings
• Correct categorisation improves your podcast SEO and ranking
• Optimising your podcast categories helps you grow your audience faster

If you’re ready to start a podcast that gets found, followed, and loved, let’s make it happen.

Book your free discovery call or grab the Podcast Launch Roadmap to plan your podcast from idea to launch.