How to start a French podcast

A step-by-step guide to launching a French-language podcast and getting it listed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other directories.

1

Choose your topic and format

Decide what your podcast will be about and how long each episode will be. Will it be solo commentary, interviews, storytelling, or a roundtable discussion? A clear format makes it easier to stay consistent.

2

Get recording equipment

A USB microphone connected to your computer is enough to start. Popular options include the Samson Q2U, Rode PodMic, or Shure MV7+. For mobile recording, any recent iPhone or Android with a good external mic works well.

3

Record your audio

Record in a quiet room with soft furnishings to reduce echo. If you're recording guests remotely, use Riverside, SquadCast, or Zencastr — they record each participant locally for better audio quality.

4

Edit your audio

Clean up long pauses, mistakes, and background noise. Good editing tools include GarageBand (free, Mac), Descript (edit audio like text), and Audacity (free, Windows/Mac/Linux).

5

Export as MP3

Export your finished episode as an MP3 at 128kbps (mono) or 192kbps (stereo). MP3 is the universal format for podcast distribution.

6

Sign up for podcast hosting

You need a hosting platform to store your audio and generate an RSS feed that directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify can read. Transistor is a solid choice for French podcasters — it supports French-language metadata and is used by podcasters across France, Quebec, and Belgium. Other options include Ausha (built specifically for the French market), Simplecast, and Libsyn.

7

Configure your podcast — set the language to French

When setting up your podcast on your hosting platform, give it a name, description, and cover image. Crucially: set the spoken language to "French". This tells Apple Podcasts and other directories to categorize your show correctly in their French-language section.

Why this matters: If you don't set the language, your podcast may appear in the wrong regional charts or miss French-speaking listeners searching by language.
8

Upload your MP3

Upload your first episode to your hosting platform. Add a title, description, and any chapter markers. Your platform will generate a podcast-ready RSS feed automatically — for example: feeds.transistor.fm/votre-podcast

9

Submit to directories

Submit your RSS feed to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, and other directories. You only need to do this once — after that, new episodes are picked up automatically. Transistor provides a step-by-step submission guide for all major platforms. Don't forget Deezer — it has an especially strong listener base in France.

10

Publish and promote

Once submitted, your podcast is live. Every new episode you publish will automatically appear on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other directories within a few hours. Share episodes on social media, in newsletters, or with communities related to your topic.

Want more detail?

Transistor has a comprehensive guide covering everything from equipment choices to growing your audience.

Read: How to Start a Podcast →

Start your French podcast on Transistor

Transistor handles hosting, RSS, a podcast website, and distribution to all major directories — including setting French as your podcast's language.

Get started with Transistor →