PlasticTrees reports that the iTunes podcast ranking is easily manipulated.
"If you have been using the iTunes podcast list as a way of ranking which podcast are the most popular then you have been misled...It looks like iTunes doesn't record how many people are actually subscribed to a podcast but rather how many times the (subscribe) button is pressed."
"This makes the iTunes ranking as irrelevant as a list because just about anyone can change the results in iTunes by simply clicking on the subscribe button 20 or 50 or 100 times."
It's unclear how prevalent abuse of the iTunes system is, but other podcast sites have had significant problems with people trying to manipulate their ranking systems.
Here are some legitimate tips for getting better rankings and more subscribers:
Give your podcast a good title - it's amazing how many podcasts have nondescript titles or use the podcaster's name. A bad name can leave a good podcast in obscurity.
Provide a good description - Many podcasts don't provide any description for the podcast Channel, or provide useless information, like repeating the podcast name. Podcast Channel descriptions should let potential listeners know what your podcast is about, who creates it, where you're located and a reason to give it a listen.
Make sure you're in podcast directories - start with Podcasting News' directory, Podcast Alley, iTunes, Odeo, iPodder.org and Podcast.net, at a minimum. You may want to provide a link to your listing at the various sites. Check out other podcast directories, too. Many of them are rapidly growing, provide unique features or target specific audiences. Depending on your podcast topic, some of these directories may be more important to be in than the best-known ones.
Create a podcast worth talking about - Instead of worrying about how your show ranks at various sites, make a great podcast! The most successful podcasts are going to be ones that generate some buzz - so find a way to make yours unique.
