What is it?
The Podcorn Analytics Prefix is a short URL ( https://pdcn.co/e/ ) that is added to the beginning of each episode audio file URL in your show's RSS feed.
Why it matters:
The prefix allows Podcorn to track and report how many downloads or listens your episodes are receiving.
This information is shared with sponsors you submit proposals to, and helps to verify your show's download numbers and estimated audience size.
How to set up the Podcorn analytics prefix
Most podcast hosting platforms support analytics prefixes and provide a way to add them to your episode audio file URLs automatically.
It's usually as simple as accessing your podcast's settings, locating a specific field for the prefix, and pasting it in.
We have a list of setup instructions for the most popular podcast hosting platforms here.
When set up correctly, your episode audio file URLs in your show's RSS feed will have the Podcorn analytics prefix at the beginning of the URL, like this:
How to Add Your Stats Manually
Podcorn has the option to submit your statistics manually if you are unable to connect the analytics prefix. To do this, you will need to visit your account Settings, select Manage Podcasts, and click the Edit button for the podcast you want to update.
Once there, click on the Upload my stats tab and select Upload.
This will require you to manually enter your listens for up to the last 5 episodes, along with an accompanying screenshot of those statistics to verify the listens.
Please note that manually updating statistics will need to be periodically updated. We will send you a reminder when these stats may be expiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still use Podcorn if my podcast hosting platform doesn't support analytics prefixes?
A: Yes, you can still use Podcorn if you aren't able to set up the Podcorn analytics prefix for your show, but you will need to share screenshots to verify your show's analytics and estimated audience size. You can submit screenshots with proposals, and manually upload them as described above.
Q: Will the listen numbers in Podcorn match the listen or download numbers from my podcast hosting platform?
A: Not exactly. Here are two key points to consider:
Podcorn can only track downloads and listens from the moment the analytics prefix is set up for your show. Any data from before the prefix was added won’t be captured.
While Podcorn’s analytics system is IAB compliant, different podcast hosting platforms may track and report downloads and listens slightly differently. As a result, your numbers in Podcorn may not match exactly with those from your hosting platform.
Being transparent about your show's analytics helps build trust with sponsors, making it more likely that you'll secure partnerships both now and in the future.
Still have questions? Our awesome support team is here to help! Just click the chat icon at the bottom-right of your screen or send an email to support@podcorn.com. We'd be happy to chat!
To learn more about landing sponsors, check out these helpful resources: