If you are new: When Apple asks for a category, pick the shelf where your ideal listener would browse—not where you wish you belonged.
Do this first
- Listen to 3–5 shows in each category you consider; do you sound like them?
- Choose one primary + one secondary that match your actual first ten episodes.
- You can change later—just update when your format truly shifts.
Apple’s primary category influences browse surfaces; secondary adds context. Mislabeling for “reach” often backfires when listeners bounce.
Match intent
If you are truly a comedy show, say so. If you are education with jokes, pick education first and let tone handle comedy. Listen to top shows in the category you want—do you belong in that row?
Update after pivots
When you change format, refresh categories the same month. Stale metadata confuses Browse and new listener trials.
Do not keyword stuff titles
Apple guidelines discourage stuffing unrelated keywords in author or title fields. Sustainable growth beats short tricks.
Related reading
Next step
Host on Cubecast and manage metadata cleanly.