Podcast Show Notes Guide — Apple, Spotify & YouTube Limits
Show notes are your podcast episode's landing page — they help listeners decide whether to press play and improve your show's discoverability in search. Each platform has different character limits and display behaviors.
Platform Character Limits
| Platform | Show Description | Episode Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Podcasts | 4,000 chars | 4,000 chars | HTML supported |
| Spotify | No hard limit | No hard limit | First ~160 chars shown in preview |
| YouTube | 5,000 chars | 5,000 chars | First 2–3 lines visible before "Show more" |
Show Notes Structure
- Hook (first 2 lines) — Summarize the episode's value in 20–30 words. This is all most listeners see.
- Key topics — Bullet-point the main discussion points with timestamps.
- Guest bio — 2–3 sentences if applicable.
- Links and resources — Referenced tools, books, or websites.
- Call to action — Subscribe, review, or visit your website.
SEO Tips
Include relevant keywords in the first 160 characters for Spotify search. Use natural language — keyword stuffing hurts readability. Timestamps help both listeners and search algorithms understand your content structure.
Conclusion
Front-load your show notes with the most compelling information in the first 160 characters. Use Character Counter to ensure your descriptions fit platform limits.