Moving from Libsyn to Captivate (Without Breaking Your Podcast)

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If you're thinking about moving from Libsyn to Captivate, take a breath.

This is not complicated. It is just precise.

I’ve helped podcasters move hosts for years, and the biggest problems don’t come from the technology — they come from people rushing. So follow these steps in order and you’ll migrate your podcast from Libsyn to Captivate without losing subscribers, reviews, or your sanity. Do not multitask while doing this. Give it your full attention.

Step 1: Locate Your Libsyn RSS Feed

Log into Libsyn and go to:

1. Settings (gear in the upper right hand corner)
2. Destinations > Apple Podcasts / Libsyn Classic Feed > Edit
3. Copy your RSS Feed URL

It will look something like:

https://yourshow.libsyn.com/rss

Step 2: Import Your Podcast Into Captivate

Now we begin moving from Libsyn to Captivate officially.

1. Log into Captivate
2. Click  on "My Podcasts" on the left and then click, "Add New Podcast"
3. Select Switch your podcast to captivate (upper right)
4. Paste your Libsyn RSS feed (your podcast information will display)
5. Scroll down and click Next.
6. It will show your new feed (that no human sees) click Submit.
   (it takes a second to import).
7. Click the RSS feed link at the top of the Captivate Screen (the feed URL is copied)

Captivate will automatically pull in:

• Your episodes
• Your artwork
• Your show description
• Your episode titles and show notes

Let it finish completely. If you have a large back catalog, grab coffee.

Step 3: Verify Everything (Do Not Skip This)

Before redirecting anything, confirm:

• Episode count matches Libsyn
• Artwork displays correctly
• Description is correct
• Email address is correct (captivate hides this for you - cool! Less spam)
• Website link is correct

Open two or three older episodes and make sure the audio plays.

This is your safety net.

Step 4: Redirect Your RSS Feed in Libsyn

This is the moment that completes moving from Libsyn to Captivate.

1. Go back to Libsyn
2. Go to Settings > Advanced Tools > Feed & Website Redirects
3. Click on Edit
4. Paste your NEW Captivate RSS feed URL (from step 7 above) into the Feed Redirect URL.
5. Paste your website address into the website URL.
6. Click Save

This creates a 301 redirect. That tells every podcast app:

"Hey — the feed moved. Go here instead." Then moving forward the app goes to the Captivate feed.

Your listeners do not need to resubscribe.

Step 5: Test the Redirect

1. Paste your OLD Libsyn RSS feed into a browser
2. Confirm it forwards to your Captivate feed (look at the very top at the URL in your browser)

If it redirects correctly, you’re good.

Step 6: Wait Before Canceling Libsyn

Keep Libsyn active for at least 4 weeks.

Some podcast apps cache feeds slowly. Give the ecosystem time to update.

After that, you can safely cancel.

What Happens to Your Stats When Moving from Libsyn to Captivate?

If you're on the Advanced ($25) plan, you can export your stats, and import them into Captivate. (Tutorial). If you need help, Captivate's team is amazing.

What About Apple, Spotify and Apps?

Those apps should follow the redirect and update automatically. DO NOT re-submit your show to apps or you will end up listed twice. Give it 24 hours and go into the Apple and Spotify dashboards and make sure your new feed is listed (if it's not manually update it - but my guess is it has updated automatically). 

With this in mind, I wouldn't do this the day before you release an episode. 

Common Mistakes When Migrating from Libsyn to Captivate

• Deleting Libsyn before redirecting
• Changing show title mid-migration
• Publishing new episodes before verifying import
• Ignoring redirect testing
• Redirecting before importing into Captivate.