To delete a podcast, you must remove it from your hosting provider first, then clean up its listings in major directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music. This guide covers the exact steps for permanently deleting a show or episode, whether you're rebranding, ending a series, or clearing outdated content.
Before you start: understand permanent podcast deletion
Deleting a podcast from your hosting provider is a permanent action that erases the RSS feed, audio files, analytics, and all associated metadata from their servers. There is no undo button, and once the feed is gone, your show disappears from every directory that pulls from it. If you're moving to a new host, you must set up a 301 Redirect in your current provider's advanced settings before deleting anything, this preserves your subscribers and redirects existing traffic to the new feed. Skipping this step means starting your audience from zero.
Delete your entire podcast from your hosting provider
The universal process for deleting a show is the same across most hosting platforms, though the exact button labels may vary. You are not deleting an episode here, you are removing the entire show record, which includes every episode, its files, and its analytics.
- Log in to your podcast hosting account (e.g., Simplecast, Libsyn, Podbean, or your self-hosted CMS).
- Navigate to your show's settings, not the episode list.
- Confirm the irreversible deletion when prompted. The platform may ask you to type the show name or click a final confirmation button.
- Manually clean up any leftover media files. Some hosts delete audio files automatically, but others leave them in your file manager. Go to your media library and remove the audio files, transcripts, or cover art associated with the deleted show.
Remove your podcast from Apple Podcasts
After deleting the show from your host, Apple Podcasts will still display your old listing until you explicitly remove it. This is a separate step that requires access to Apple Podcasts Connect.
- Log in to Apple Podcasts Connect with the Apple ID you used to submit the show.
- Select your podcast from the dashboard.
- Scroll to "Additional Information" and click the "Delete Podcast" link. Alternatively, go to "Availability" in the left-hand sidebar, open the "More Actions" menu, and choose "Archive Show."
- Confirm the action. Apple may take up to 24 hours to remove the listing from its directory, so don't be alarmed if the show still appears immediately after deletion.
Remove your podcast from Amazon Music
Amazon Music pulls from your RSS feed, but it also maintains its own listing that won't disappear automatically. You can hide the show instantly or request a permanent removal by email.
- Sign in to Amazon Music Podcasters and go to the "Overview" section for your show.
- Click "Hide," then confirm by clicking "Hide Show." This removes the listing from Amazon Music and Audible immediately.
If you prefer a permanent deletion rather than hiding, email podcasters@amazon.com with your podcast's title, RSS feed, and Amazon Music show link. This request takes up to 7 days to process, so plan accordingly if you need the show gone before a rebrand launch.
Remove your podcast from Spotify
Spotify's removal process depends entirely on where your show is hosted. If you use Spotify for Creators (formerly Anchor) as your host, you must contact Spotify support directly to delete the entire show, there is no self-service button for full show removal. If you host elsewhere and simply distribute to Spotify, you don't need to contact Spotify at all; deleting or unpublishing the show at your hosting source will automatically remove it from Spotify's catalog within a few hours.
For shows hosted on Spotify for Creators, you can delete individual episodes by going to "Episodes," clicking the three dots next to the episode, and selecting "Delete episode." However, note that Spotify requires at least one published episode to keep your show active, deleting all episodes means you must delete your entire account to remove the show completely. If you're ending the show for good, contact Spotify support and request a full account deletion, which will also remove your show from the platform.
