SmartFeeds Integration FAQ
A: Follow the instructions on the Integration > SmartFeeds page of your dashboard to create a new SmartFeed. Select your podcast, choose your slug, and verify your show's existing RSS feed URL. The podcast must be added to your team before you create a SmartFeed.
Check the "Add Trackable prefix to your episode URLs" box to build the Trackable analytics prefix into your SmartFeed automatically. This is accessible regardless of hosting platform, meaning all teams will be able to receive detailed downloads data, demographics, attribution, and more on their Chartable dashboards.
After you submit your query, Chartable will then give you a new RSS feed URL — your show's SmartFeed — to provide to podcast directories (there is a great guide available here for doing so). If your podcast is already available in the podcast directories, you'll need to update your RSS feed instead of submitting a new one.
Keep in mind that you will still manage your podcast details through your hosting provider. If you changed your hosting provider for your show, simply update your RSS feed URL in Chartable to update your SmartFeed. The change will automatically flow through to all podcast directories that have your SmartFeed URL.
Q: What do I do if I want to change my podcast hosting provider?
A: If you change your hosting provider, you will only have to change your RSS feed URL within Chartable and the update will automatically flow through to all podcast directories that have your SmartFeeds URL.
Q: Can I use both Trackable and SmartFeeds?
A: Yes, SmartFeeds comes with the option of automatically including the Trackable analytics prefix into your SmartFeed URL. You can either 1) keep Trackable integrated through your hosting provider and utilize SmartFeed to have a durable and portable RSS feed or 2) check the "Add Trackable prefix to your episode URLs" box when creating your SmartFeed in order to automatically integrate Trackable into your SmartFeed.
Q: How do I know if I should integrate Trackable through my hosting provider or SmartFeeds?
A: If your hosting provider is compatible with the Trackable analytics prefix (see full list here), integrating with Trackable will work just fine. If your hosting provider is not compatible with the Trackable prefix, you can use SmartFeeds to integrate Trackable and access analytics.
Whether you use SmartFeeds to integrate Trackable, or integrate Trackable through your hosting provider, both of these routes allow Chartable to populate detailed download data, attribution, demographics and more to your team's dashboard.
Keep in mind that you can integrate Trackable through your hosting provider and still utilize SmartFeed to have a durable and portable RSS feed.
Q: Why should I use a SmartFeed URL instead of the RSS URL provided by my podcast hosting provider?
A: With SmartFeeds, you will only have to submit your SmartFeed URL to podcast directories once. If you change your hosting provider in the future, you will only have to change it within Chartable and the update will automatically flow through to all podcast directories that have your SmartFeeds URL.
SmartFeeds is primarily useful for podcasters who use a podcast hosting provider that does not support the integration of Chartable's Trackable analytics prefix, or for podcasters who like the idea of having a RSS feed that stays consistent regardless of which hosting provider they are currently using.
Q: Can I use other third-party analytics prefixes with SmartFeeds?
A: Yes, if your hosting platform supports third-party prefixes. You will manage other third-party prefixes on your hosting platform, and they will automatically flow into your SmartFeed.
Q: What is Feedburner?
A: FeedBurner is a web feed management service primarily for RSS feeds, primarily by inserting targeted advertisements into them. It was founded in 2004 and acquired by Google in 2007. Most of the features of the site have been retired.
Q: Can Chartable host my podcast?
A: Chartable does not host podcasts. In order to use SmartFeeds, you will need an existing RSS feed URL by either using a podcast hosting provider or self-hosting.
Q: Can Chartable help me change RSS feed URL in Apple, Spotify, and other podcast directories?
A: Chartable is not able to assist with updating your RSS feed URL in the podcast directories. Please see this help article from Simplecast: https://help.simplecast.com/en/articles/2698480-how-to-publish-your-podcast-on-the-popular-podcast-apps.
Q: My hosting provider submitted my podcast RSS feed URL to the podcast directories, can Chartable help me access my Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or other podcast directory accounts?
A: Chartable is not able to assist with updating your RSS feed URL in the podcast directories. Please contact your hosting provider and state that you would prefer to self-submit your podcasts to directories, or ask them to give you control of your Apple Podcasts and Spotify accounts.
Q: How do I delete a SmartFeed?
A: If you want to delete a SmartFeed, click "Edit" then the red "Delete" button. You will get a message informing that your SmartFeed will permanently redirect to your original RSS feed URL. You will want to change your RSS feed back to the original in the podcast directories after this step.
