I got an email this morning that stopped me in my tracks, so I did what any podcast producer with an inbox full of RSS.com updates would do. I made an emergency episode about it.
RSS.com, the platform I use to host my own show and every single one of my client shows, just launched a Max plan built specifically for video podcasting. Apple Podcasts has been signaling all year that it is leaning into video, and this update is RSS.com’s answer to that shift. I wanted to break down exactly what it does, what it costs, and whether it is worth the upgrade.
Why This Update Matters Right Now
Podcasting has never been a purely audio medium, not really, but the line has gotten blurrier every year. Short form video exploded, Apple started rolling out video support, and now RSS.com is making it possible to publish one video file to both Apple Podcasts and YouTube at the same time.
That matters because your listeners get to choose how they experience your show. On Apple Podcasts, they can toggle between audio and video without losing their place, so someone driving to work can listen, and someone scrolling on the couch later that night can watch. You are not forcing a format on anyone.
The Numbers Behind the Decision
RSS.com built this plan from actual user feedback, which I respect. In their recent Podcaster Insights survey, 63 percent of video publishers said video helped grow their audience, and more than a billion monthly active viewers watch podcast content on YouTube. Apple Podcasts is available in over 170 countries. The audience is already there. This just makes it easier to reach them.
How the Monetization Works
This is the part that got me the most excited. Video ads run automatically on Apple Podcasts starting with your very first video episode. There is no download minimum and no follower threshold to hit first. All you need to do is activate RSS.com Paid and verify your PayPal payout, and you keep 70 percent of eligible video ad revenue from that point forward.
I woke up the same morning I got this email to a payout notification from RSS.com, for my very first podcast that I have not touched in over a year. Five dollars from a show I am not even actively promoting anymore. That is not life changing money, but it proves the system works quietly in the background even when you are not thinking about it.
What It Actually Costs
RSS.com has four tiers. The free plan covers unlimited episodes and audio for anyone just getting started. Plus adds paid ad insertions and audio to video conversion for YouTube. Pro, which is what I have been on, adds analytics, automatic transcripts, and unbranded YouTube videos. Max is the new tier built for full video podcasting, starting at 37 dollars a month billed annually, and it includes unlimited video episodes, automatic YouTube publishing, and that revenue share I mentioned.
What Uploading Actually Looks Like
I tested it live on air, and the upload process is nearly identical to a normal audio upload. You get file size limits of two gigabytes for audio and five gigabytes for video, a two hour max duration, and a 1080p minimum resolution requirement. The whole thing pulled the full video version over to YouTube, not just an audiogram, which was the piece I was most curious to see.
Should You Make the Switch?
If you are just getting your show off the ground, start with audio. Nail your sound and your content first. But if you already have a solid audio foundation and you have been eyeing video, this update takes away most of the friction. I am switching my own show over to Max, and if you want help setting yours up, I am always here to answer questions.
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