How-To: Migrate RSS Feed or Podcast To Another Hosting Provider

Backtracks has depcreated/no longer offers hosting as a core service. To migrate your RSS feeds to another hosting provider, please follow these steps. 

Overview 

1) Sign-up for Hosting Account

Signup for a podcast hosting account service/provider that fits your needs.

2) Import or Copy Your Content To Your New Hosting Account

Your content will need to be imported or added to that hosting service (likely be importing via your old/current RSS feed for the series you are migrating) by following the import steps of that service. This will likely be an email to that service's support team or an import wizard that accepts the RSS feed URL of the podcast you want to transfer or import.

3) Setting Up Redirects In Backtracks

To migrate your listeners and the official RSS feed for your podcast to another location or hosting provider, you will need to enter a 301 permanent redirect into Backtracks for each series. This will point your old feed URL to the new feed URL. When you complete this redirect step, traffic for your podcast episodes will start to go to your new hosting location and directories and listening platforms will start to update within the hour of you entering the redirect.

When your new podcast hosting provider generates an RSS feed for you and you are ready to migrate your listens to be served by that hosting provider, then you will enter your new RSS feed URL into the Backtracks series settings to redirect listeners from the old RSS feed URL to the new RSS feed URL. This will be seamless for the listeners and audience.

Most destinations (especially those that base their directory of podcasts from the Apple Podcasts listing, which is most) will update automatically once you put the redirect in place (i.e, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Overcast, PocketCasts, etc.). 

Steps to Enter 301 Redirect of RSS Feed To New Location

1. Login to your Backtracks hosting account
2. Navigate to the list of series in the account
3. Locate the series that you will enter the RSS feed URL redirect for in the list of series
4. Navigate to the series settings for the series by clicking Settings in the row for that series
5. Scoll down to the field 301 Redirect URL
6. Enter the RSS feed provided by your new hosting provider
7. Save changes to implement the redirect (i.e. scroll to the bottom of page and press Save)

Testing Note: Be sure to clear your DNS cache, restart your computer, or use a different computer / device, if you are testing that the redirect is in place by visiting the old Backtracks RSS feed URL and seeing if it redirects to your new URL. Computers keep a DNS cache and may store redirects for a short period of time. Test the redirect after clearing your DNS cache (search for how to do that for your operating system) or using a different device to test that the redirect is in place.

4) Address Directories that Need to be Manually Updated

Some directories do not follow standard redirects for their updates. If your podcast is listed there, you will need to manually update them via their podcast or partner portal (i.e. Spotify for Podcasts, Stitcher Partner Portal, etc.). These manually updated directories include: iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Spotify, Pandora, Stiticher, and others.

5) Replace Embedded Backtracks Players On Your Website Or App

If you have embedded players in your website or app, they will need to be replaced with a player that utilizes the audio location of your new host. If your Backtracks account ceases to function, i.e. is canceled, etc. then your audio will stop playing from Backtracks. Typically a podcast host will provide their own player or you may have a custom player. 

6) Export Analytics / Run Reports

If you would like to run final reports, follow these instructions. Enterprise customers may also utilize the Backtracks API to retreive data. These are the only two methods to retreive or export analytics data.