Podcast show notes FAQ
Character limits, storage, publishing and the small decisions behind PodLaunch. Every platform number is dated and linked so you can check it yourself.
Character limits used by PodLaunch
Checked against each platform's own documentation on 20 October 2026. Platform help can change; the checked date is part of the tool's output so you know how fresh the figure is.
| Platform | Target in PodLaunch | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube description | 5,000 characters | Verified | YouTube Help: Tips for video descriptions “The description allows a maximum of 5000 characters.” |
| Spotify episode description | 1,000-character target | No published limit | Spotify for Creators: Formatting your show notes Formatting help, no character figure. The 1,000-character target is a conservative fallback labelled “typical limit, check the platform”. |
| Apple Podcasts episode description | 10,000 characters | Verified | Apple Podcasts Connect: How to create an episode “You can enter up to 10,000 characters.” The show-level description on the submit-a-show page is 4,000 characters; that is a different field. |
| RSS show notes | 1,000-character target | No universal limit | RSS 2.0 specification “There are no string-length or XML-level limits in RSS 0.92 and greater. Processors may impose their own limits.” The 1,000-character target is a conservative fallback. |
Why not use a bigger fallback? A 1,000-character target fits comfortably in every host, player and feed reader we could check, and it keeps the Spotify and RSS blurbs scannable. If your host accepts more and you want a longer RSS description, copy the YouTube or Apple version instead.
PodLaunch never invents a specific platform limit. Where no official number exists, the interface says “typical limit, check the platform” rather than presenting a guess as a fact.
Questions
Is PodLaunch free?
Yes. There is no account, payment, trial or email signup. The tool is static HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Does PodLaunch use AI?
No. The blurbs are assembled from fixed templates using the facts you enter. There is no model call, no API key and no rewriting behind your back. The same input produces the same output.
Does PodLaunch publish the episode for me?
No. It prepares the text, the checklist and the verification log. You paste the blurbs into your podcast host, YouTube, Spotify for Creators and Apple Podcasts Connect yourself. PodLaunch never asks for platform passwords.
Where is my draft saved?
In this browser only, under the localStorage key podlaunch.draft.v1. Checklist state and verification URLs use separate keys. Nothing is sent to a server, and clearing site data removes it permanently.
Why are the Spotify and RSS targets 1,000 characters?
Neither Spotify for Creators nor the RSS 2.0 specification publishes a firm character cap for an episode description. Instead of inventing a number, PodLaunch uses a conservative 1,000-character target and labels it “typical limit, check the platform”.
How are characters counted?
With JavaScript string length. Most Latin characters and spaces count as one; many emoji and some scripts count as two. A platform may count differently, so leave a little headroom when you are near a limit.
Can I use PodLaunch for more than one episode?
Yes, one episode at a time. Select “Clear saved draft” to start the next episode; the checklist and verification log stay until you reset them.
Does PodLaunch work offline?
The tool runs locally in the browser after the page has loaded, but there is no service worker, so reloading while offline is not guaranteed. Copy or download the blurbs before you go offline.
Can I edit the generated blurbs?
Yes. Everything is plain text. Copy a blurb, paste it into your platform, and adjust the wording there. PodLaunch does not lock or sync the text.
Why is there no show-name field?
The blurbs are deliberately show-agnostic so they do not repeat the show name on every line. Put the show name in the call to action, or add it after pasting.
What about Apple’s 4,000-character description limit?
That figure applies to a show-level description in Apple Podcasts Connect. Apple’s “How to create an episode” help allows up to 10,000 characters for an episode description, which is the field this tool targets.
Still curious?
The how-it-works page explains the templates and the workflow, and the privacy page lists every localStorage key.