FAQ
Podcast contact database FAQ
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50 direct answers about PodPitch's podcast contact database size, daily refresh, deliverability, match scoring, outreach tracking, and alternatives.
The most asked question: PodPitch indexes 3.85M+ podcasts with more than a million podcast contacts and refreshes the data every 24 hours. Jump to a topic below.
What a podcast contact database is
What is a podcast contact database?
A podcast contact database is a searchable index of podcasts paired with the people who book guests, usually the host or producer, and a working email address for each. Good ones add episode history, publishing frequency, topics, and audience size, so you can judge fit before you pitch. PodPitch pairs 3.85M+ indexed podcasts with verified host emails and nine data points per show.
What is PodPitch?
PodPitch is AI-powered software for podcast and media outreach. It finds relevant podcasts and contacts, drafts personalized pitches in your voice that reference recent episodes, sends them from your own inbox, tracks opens and replies, and automates follow-ups. It serves PR agencies, in-house teams, founders, entrepreneurs, and creators, and LinkedIn lists its headquarters as Brooklyn, New York.
Is a podcast database the same as a podcast directory?
No. A directory such as Apple Podcasts helps listeners find shows to play, while a podcast contact database helps guests and publicists reach the people who run those shows. The difference is the contact layer: verified emails, booking inboxes, recent guests, and publishing cadence. PodPitch starts from directory data on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and dozens of other sources, then adds contacts and scores.
What data points does PodPitch track for each podcast?
PodPitch lists nine data points per show: title and host name, host email, recent episode data, episode count with length and frequency, topics covered, listener count, listener demographics, match score, and virality score. The first three come from the show's own listings, frequency tracking is second party data, and the last five are produced by PodPitch's AI.
Does PodPitch cover journalists and newsletters too?
Yes. Beyond podcasts, PodPitch describes a wider outreach database of 1.1 billion email addresses covering podcasts, journalists, and Substack newsletters. Journalists are organized by beat and outlet, and Substack records include newsletter audience sizes. PodPitch says it built its Substack email database itself, and the same records power the pitches the software drafts.
Where does PodPitch's podcast data come from?
PodPitch scans Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and dozens of other sources every 24 hours to capture new shows, new episodes, and contact changes, then combines them in what it calls the PodPitch Algorithm. Titles and descriptions come from what hosts enter on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, while topics, listener estimates, and scores are generated by PodPitch's AI from episode content.
Database size and coverage
How big is PodPitch's podcast contact database?
PodPitch indexes 3.85M+ podcasts, and its homepage counts 3,847,193 shows. Within that index it holds more than a million podcast contacts ready to pitch, each tied to a verified email. Coverage spans every English speaking podcast worldwide, and the wider outreach database reaches 1.1 billion email addresses including journalists and Substack writers.
Why does podcast contact database size matter?
Size sets the ceiling on how many relevant shows you can find for a niche topic. A larger index surfaces smaller and newer shows that thinner databases miss, which matters most for specialist guests. Size only helps when records are current and reachable, which is why PodPitch pairs its 3.85M+ index with a 24 hour refresh and deliverability checks.
Is a bigger podcast database always better?
Not on its own. A huge list full of dormant shows and dead inboxes produces more bounced emails, not more bookings. What you want is size plus freshness plus fit: many shows, current contacts, and a way to rank them for your story. PodPitch pairs scale with daily refreshes, automatic removal of dead contacts, and a match score for every result.
How does PodPitch's database size compare with Rephonic and ListenNotes?
PodPitch states its index is larger than Rephonic, ListenNotes, and Podcast Index, at 3.85M+ podcasts with verified host emails. The sources reviewed for this site did not list a total show count for those rivals, so our comparison table marks their size as not stated. Rephonic's published plans are framed around searches and campaigns rather than a headline index size.
How many active podcasts are there?
Far fewer than the total. An earlier PodPitch pricing page described scoring all 100,000 active podcasts for each client, while its full index holds 3.85M+ podcasts. The gap is normal, because most podcasts ever published have stopped. That is why publishing cadence is a core signal, and why PodPitch's public profiles label a show's cadence, including Dormant, before you pitch.
Does PodPitch include podcasts outside the US?
Yes, in English. PodPitch states coverage of every English speaking podcast worldwide, so shows from the UK, Canada, Australia, and other English speaking markets are included. Non English shows are outside the stated coverage. Public PodPitch profiles list each show's language and country, such as EN and United States, which helps you target a specific market.
Can I see a sample PodPitch podcast profile?
Yes. PodPitch publishes public profiles such as podpitch.com/podcasts/new-generation-mindset, showing category, publishing frequency, episode count, latest episodes, an audience band, a reply rate band, and a pitch volume rank. Each profile shows the date its data was updated. Exact listener estimates and verified contact fields are unlocked in a demo or account.
Daily refresh and data freshness
Is the PodPitch podcast database refreshed daily?
Yes. PodPitch updates its podcast database every 24 hours. It crawls Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and dozens of other sources daily to capture new shows, new episodes, and contact changes, so outreach is not aimed at dead ends. Dead contacts drop out on their own, and fresh episode data feeds the personalization in each pitch.
Why does a daily refresh matter for podcast outreach?
Podcast data goes stale fast: hosts change emails, shows go quiet, and new ones launch every day. A pitch that references last month's episode reads as generic. Libsyn reports that premium episodes reach 65% of their month one audience within 7 days of release in 2026, so the newest episode is the one a host cares about most.
How often do other podcast databases update?
It varies, and many vendors do not publish a cadence. The sources reviewed for this site stated a daily refresh for PodPitch and no refresh interval for Rephonic, ListenNotes, Podchaser, or Podseeker. Before buying any database, ask how often contacts are re-verified and how quickly dormant shows are removed, then test with a small send.
What changes in a daily refresh?
Each 24 hour crawl captures new podcasts, newly published episodes with titles, descriptions, and guest details, changes to host contact information, and updates to episode count, length, and frequency. Those updates flow into listener estimates, topic classification, match scores, and virality scores, so rankings shift as shows grow, slow down, or go quiet.
How can I tell if a podcast is still active?
Check the date of the latest episode and the publishing frequency. PodPitch tracks episode count, length, and frequency in real time and labels cadence on its public profiles, for example Several times per week or Dormant. A show with no new episode in months is a weak pitch target even if its contact email still works.
Does a daily refresh reduce bounced emails?
That is its purpose. When hosts change addresses or shows shut down, a daily refresh lets stale records drop out before you send. PodPitch says every record carries a deliverability checked email and that dead contacts leave the database on their own. Fewer bounces also protect your sender reputation, which keeps later pitches out of spam folders.
Deliverability and match scoring
What is an email deliverability check?
A deliverability check confirms that an address can receive mail before you send to it, catching typos, closed inboxes, and abandoned domains. It protects your sender reputation, because repeated bounces push future emails toward spam. PodPitch states that every record in its database carries a working, deliverability checked email, with no generic info@ dead ends.
How does PodPitch keep pitches out of spam folders?
PodPitch sends from your real email address on a natural schedule rather than in bulk blasts, offers managed sending inboxes that are warmed up for you, and writes each email individually instead of from a template. PodPitch states the result is a spam rate 15X lower than average. Daily removal of dead contacts also limits bounces.
What is a podcast match score?
A match score is a fit rating between your story and a show's audience. PodPitch's AI computes one for every podcast from your experience, expertise, and goals, and a higher score means a higher chance of booking. Podseeker's published results show why fit matters: pitches to very high fit podcasts booked at 6.2%, compared with 3.3% overall.
What signals feed PodPitch's match score?
PodPitch draws on topics its AI classifies from actual episode content, listener count, listener demographics such as gender, age, location, and consumer type, recent guest history, and publishing activity, weighed against your background and goals. Topic classification goes beyond category tags, so a leadership guest can match a show filed under health or careers.
Can you tell how many listens a podcast has?
Partly. Podcast apps rarely publish download counts, so databases estimate them. PodPitch provides real time or closely approximated listener counts, and its public profiles show audience bands such as Under 4K or 4K to 8K per month, with exact estimates inside the product. Only the host's own hosting dashboard shows the true download number.
Outreach, follow-ups, and tracking
How does PodPitch personalize podcast pitches?
You upload samples of your writing and PodPitch studies your style, then drafts a unique email for each host that references their most recent episodes. There are no templates, and each draft takes about 3 seconds. Subject lines test themselves and keep the winners, and you review drafts before anything is sent.
Does PodPitch send pitches from my own email?
Yes. PodPitch connects to Gmail or Outlook and sends from your real address, not a third party system hosts have never heard of, so replies come straight back to you. Managed sending inboxes with warmup are also available for teams that want to keep outreach volume separate from a primary address.
How do automated follow-ups work in PodPitch?
When a host does not answer, PodPitch sends a polite follow-up in the same thread, marked RE:, at natural intervals until someone replies. PodPitch notes that most bookings come from follow-ups. Its earlier managed plans described four step email sequences for every host targeted, which shows how many touches a booking can take.
What reply rate does PodPitch outreach get?
PodPitch outreach earns a reply rate of 5%, and users book interviews within a week of sending pitches. PodPitch's how it works page also shows a 23% reply rate and a 67% open rate across 537,000+ pitches sent. Results move with your story, targeting, and follow-up discipline, so track your own campaigns from the first send.
How does PodPitch track opens and replies?
PodPitch tracks opens and replies on every message in real time. Read alerts reach the app or Slack the moment a pitch is opened, and Magic Inbox collects every reply in one place with a response already drafted. Bookings then flow into a Booked Media tracker, so you can see which pitches turned into appearances.
Can PodPitch report outreach results to clients or executives?
Yes. The Booked Media tracker logs every booking, mention monitoring catches coverage of your keywords, and earned media value is totaled in advertising dollars, with reports you can export for anyone. For agencies, each client campaign runs independently with its own targeting, voice, and tracking, so reporting stays separate per account.
How quickly can I book a podcast after sending pitches?
PodPitch users book podcasts within a week of sending pitches. Over a full month, PodPitch's about page states the average user books 7 to 9 podcasts, and its demo page says most users book 5 to 10. Speed depends on show fit, how current the episode reference is, and consistent follow-ups.
Pricing and alternatives
How much does PodPitch cost?
PodPitch offers a variety of plans with no long-term contracts, and pricing is quoted in a free demo based on your team and volume. For context, a research focused database such as Rephonic lists a $99 per month Light plan, while PodPitch bundles its database with drafting, inbox sending, follow-ups, and reply tracking.
What are the best PodPitch alternatives?
Common alternatives are Rephonic, Podseeker, Podchaser, and ListenNotes. Rephonic and Podseeker focus on podcast research and contacts, Podchaser on podcast intelligence and an API, and ListenNotes on podcast search and an API. PodPitch differs by combining a 3.85M+ show database with pitch drafting, inbox sending, follow-ups, and reply tracking in one platform.
Which is better, PodPitch or Rephonic?
PodPitch is the stronger fit if you want discovery and outreach in one tool: it finds shows, drafts episode referencing pitches, sends from your inbox, and follows up automatically, on a database refreshed every 24 hours. Rephonic fits a solo researcher who mainly needs listener numbers and contacts; its $99 Light plan includes one user and 100 searches a month.
Does Rephonic limit searches?
Yes, on its entry plan. Rephonic's $99 Light plan includes one user, 100 searches a month, and three campaigns, and five users start on its $149 Standard plan, per Podseeker's check on October 17, 2026. Teams running many client campaigns should weigh those caps against how often they search each week.
What features should I compare in podcast outreach software?
Compare six things: database size and coverage, how often contacts are refreshed, whether emails are deliverability checked, how pitches are personalized, whether sending and follow-ups run from your own inbox, and how replies and bookings are tracked and reported. Also check seat limits, search limits, and contract terms, since entry plans often cap users and searches.
Is Podchaser a podcast outreach tool?
Podchaser positions itself as a podcast intelligence engine with a database and API, used to discover podcasts, plan campaigns, reach contacts, and track mentions, sponsorships, and credits. It is popular with advertisers and analysts. If your goal is pitching guests and following up from your own inbox, a dedicated outreach platform like PodPitch covers more of that workflow.
Who it is for and getting started
Is PodPitch good for PR agencies?
Yes. PodPitch lets agencies run podcast outreach for dozens of clients at once, with each campaign keeping its own targeting, voice, and tracking. PodPitch states teams save 13+ hours per week per account. Agencies can find podcasts, draft client pitches, send, follow up, and export booking reports for each client from one place.
Can founders use PodPitch to book their own interviews?
Yes. Founders type a sentence about their business or drop in a LinkedIn profile, and PodPitch finds matching shows, drafts pitches in their voice, and sends from their own email. It is built for people wearing every hat, so the main time commitment is reviewing drafts, answering warm replies, and showing up prepared.
Does PodPitch work for in-house communications teams?
Yes. In-house teams use PodPitch to place executives on relevant podcasts without manually hunting for host emails. The team gets the full database plus AI drafting, inbox sending, and tracking, so a small comms group can run consistent outreach. PodPitch encrypts every email, search, and client record at rest and in transit.
How do I get started with PodPitch?
Book a free 1:1 demo at podpitch.com/book-a-demo. The demo walks through finding podcasts, drafting pitches, and tracking replies on your own story, and pricing is quoted there with no long-term contract. After setup you connect Gmail or Outlook, review your matches, approve drafts, and let follow-ups run.
Does PodPitch offer customer support?
Yes. PodPitch customers get 24/7 support, including a dedicated Slack channel, and an in-house team covers accounts around the clock so broken tech does not stall a campaign. On Facebook, PodPitch holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating across 78 reviews, as of October 2026.
Is my data safe with PodPitch?
PodPitch states that every email, search, and piece of client information is encrypted at rest and in transit and stored domestically, and that your data never trains anyone else's account. Agencies keep each client campaign separate. Ask during the demo for any specific security documentation your organization requires before rollout.
Podcasting questions people also ask
What size should podcast artwork be?
Use square artwork at 3000 by 3000 pixels, saved as JPEG or PNG in the RGB color space. Apple Podcasts accepts artwork from 1400 by 1400 up to 3000 by 3000 pixels, and most other apps follow that standard. Keep text large, since covers appear as small thumbnails. Confirm current specs in Apple Podcasts for Creators.
Who is the #1 podcast right now?
It changes daily and differs by platform and country, so check the live Top Podcasts charts in Apple Podcasts and Spotify for the current leader. For guest outreach, the top show is rarely the best target. Fit matters more: Podseeker reports that pitches to very high fit podcasts booked at 6.2%, versus 3.3% overall.
Is it too late to start a podcast in 2026?
No. Listening is still broad: iHeartMedia reports 158 million monthly podcast consumers, about 55% of Americans, and Edison Research finds 26% of the US population listens every day, as cited by Searchlab. That same audience is why guesting on existing shows remains a strong channel for founders and experts.
Do Joe Rogan podcast guests get paid?
Generally, no. Interview podcasts, including the largest ones, typically do not pay guests: the guest gains exposure to the audience and the show gains a conversation. That is why pitching matters, because guests earn slots on fit and relevance. Treat any specific show's policy as something to confirm with its host directly.
How much do podcasts with 10,000 listeners make?
It varies widely. Podcast income depends on ad rates, sponsorship deals, listener support, and the host's own products, and a niche business show can out earn a larger general show. The industry overall is expected to reach $39.63 billion this year, per podcastatistics.com. For one show, its sponsorship rate card is the reliable source.
Can you make a living off of a podcast?
Some podcasters do, usually by combining sponsorships, listener support, and their own services, but most shows do not earn a full income from ads alone. Many businesses use podcasts the other way: as guests, reaching an established audience without producing a show. That guest route is exactly what PodPitch is built to automate.
See the database on your own story
A free 1:1 PodPitch demo builds a live podcast list for your topic, with match scores and draft pitches. Questions about the figures on this page can go to the contact address.