The Podcast Show Notes Template Every Podcaster Needs (And How to Use It)
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By Heidy De La CruzAug 27, 2026

The Podcast Show Notes Template Every Podcaster Needs (And How to Use It)

TL;DR: Podcast show notes help your episodes get discovered on Google, give listeners a reason to click, and make your content easier to repurpose. This post walks you through exactly what to include and gives you a sneak peek at a done-for-you template.

You recorded a great episode.
Edited it. You uploaded it.
And then you stared at the blank show notes field and had no idea what to write.

If that sounds familiar, you are not alone. Show notes are one of the most skipped parts of the podcasting process and also one of the most important.

Because here’s the thing: your audio lives on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. But your show notes? Those live on the internet forever. They are searchable, indexable, and one of the main ways new listeners find your podcast through Google.

That’s exactly why I created a podcast show notes template. So you stop writing from scratch every week and start publishing with consistency and purpose.

Do I Really Need Show Notes for My Podcast?

Yes. And here is why.

A lot of podcasters treat show notes as an afterthought. They write one or two sentences, drop a link, and call it done. But that’s leaving a huge opportunity on the table.

Here’s what well-written show notes actually do for your podcast:

  • They help your episode show up in Google search results
  • They give listeners a way to find your podcast without already knowing your name
  • They make it easy for listeners to find links, resources, and people mentioned in the episode
  • They create a content asset you can repurpose into social media captions, newsletters, and blog posts
  • They build credibility and professionalism for your brand

Think of show notes as the landing page for your episode. Someone hears about your podcast, Googles the topic, and your show notes page is what comes up. If it’s empty or vague, they move on. If it’s clear, helpful, and well-structured, they click play.

What if writing show notes only took you 20 minutes? That’s what the Podcast Show Notes Template is for. Get the Show Notes Outline ?

What Should a Podcast Show Notes Template Include?

Not all show notes are created equal. The best ones follow a consistent structure that serves both the reader and the search engine.
Here is what every strong set of podcast show notes should have:

Episode Title and Hook

Your episode title is the first thing someone sees in search results. It should include your target keyword and give a clear reason to click. The hook that follows should pull the reader into the episode in one or two sentences.

Episode Summary

A 2 to 3-sentence overview of what the episode covers. This is what shows up in podcast directories and search previews. Make it clear and specific, not vague.

What You Will Learn or Key Topics Covered

A short bullet list of the main points or topics discussed. This helps listeners decide if the episode is for them and gives search engines more context about your content.

Timestamps

If your episode is longer than 20 minutes, timestamps are essential. They help listeners jump to the sections they care about and they make your show notes look more professional.

Any tools, books, websites, or products mentioned in the episode go here. This section is also a great place to add your own links, like your services or current offers.

If you had a guest, include a short bio and links to their website, social media, or offers. Your guest will appreciate it and is more likely to share the episode with their own audience.

Call to Action

End every set of show notes with a clear next step for the listener. Subscribe, leave a review, join your email list, or book a call. One CTA is enough. Keep it simple.

For a deeper dive into how to write them well, I cover the full process in: How to Write Your Show Notes.

A Sneak Peek at the Podcast Show Notes Outline

Here is a simplified preview of what the done-for-you podcast show notes template includes. The full version has detailed instructions for each section, SEO guidance, and a version for solo episodes and a version for interviews.

SOLO EPISODE TEMPLATE PREVIEW by podcast coach Heidy De La Cruz

The full template includes the interview version, SEO tips for each section, a word count guide, and fill-in-the-blank prompts so you never stare at a blank page again.

The exact show notes structure I use for every episode. Now it’s yours. Grab the Template ?

How to Use a Podcast Show Notes Template Without Sounding Like a Robot

A template is a starting point, not a script.

The goal is to have a structure you follow every time so you’re not reinventing the wheel, but the words you put inside that structure should still sound like you.

Here’s how to make your show notes feel personal and not generic:

  • Write your episode summary like you’re telling a friend what the episode is about
  • Use the same tone in your show notes that you use in your audio
  • Don’t copy and paste your transcript. Summarize the best parts.
  • Add one personal insight or story from the episode to draw people in
  • Use your target keyword naturally in the title, summary, and at least one subheading

The template handles the structure. Your voice handles the rest.

How Show Notes Help Your Podcast Get Found on Google

This is the part most podcasters skip and then wonder why their show is not growing.
Your audio file is not searchable. Google cannot listen to your episode. But it can read your show notes.

When you write show notes that include the keywords your audience is searching for, your episode has a chance of showing up in Google search results. That means someone who has never heard of you can find your podcast by searching a topic you covered.

That is free, organic, evergreen traffic. Every episode you publish with strong show notes is another page working for you on the internet indefinitely.

A few quick podcast SEO tips for your show notes:

  • Use your main keyword in the episode title and first paragraph
  • Write at least 200 to 300 words of actual content, not just a link dump
  • Include internal links to other episodes or blog posts
  • Add a descriptive image with alt text
  • Use subheadings so the page is easy to scan

FAQ: Podcast Show Notes Template

How long should podcast show notes be?

At minimum, 150 to 200 words. But for SEO purposes, 300 to 500 words is ideal. The goal is to give enough context that a reader can understand what the episode is about without listening to it. Longer is not always better. Clear and useful is always better.

Should I use the same show notes template for every episode?

Yes, and that is the whole point. Having a consistent structure saves you time and trains your listeners to know what to expect from your show notes page. The content changes every episode. The structure stays the same. That is what a template is for.

What is the difference between show notes and a podcast transcript?

A transcript is a word-for-word written version of your episode. Show notes are a curated summary. Show notes highlight the key points, resources, and links without reproducing the full audio. Both can help with SEO but show notes are faster to produce and easier for readers to skim.

About the Author & Podcast Coach

Heidy De La Cruz is a podcast coach, host, and creator of the V.O.I.C.E. Method. Her podcast The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants is a 2-time award winner recognized by the Women in Podcasting Awards and Women Who Podcast. It ranks in the top 5% of podcasts globally, #1 on GoodPods for Immigration, and holds #1 keyword rankings on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

After launching her first podcast in 2022, she saw how many women had powerful stories, business ideas, and something worth saying but felt completely stuck by the tech, the moving parts, and the lack of a clear starting point.

Now she helps aspiring podcasters go from idea to live show with clear, hands-on support that makes launching feel doable instead of overwhelming.

Explore her services: 1:1 Podcast Launch Strategy, The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course, and Podcast Editing and Production Services.

Stop Writing Show Notes From Scratch

Every week you sit down to write show notes without a template is time you are wasting on structure instead of spending on content.

The podcast show notes template gives you the exact format to follow for solo episodes and interview episodes, with SEO guidance built in so your episodes have the best chance of being found.

Your episodes deserve better show notes. The Podcast Show Notes Template gives you a proven structure that saves time and gets your podcast found. Get the Template

With Love, Heidy

Key Takeaways

  • Show notes are not optional. They are how your podcast gets found on Google.
  • A consistent podcast show notes template saves time and creates a professional, searchable archive of your content.
  • Every set of show notes should include a hook, summary, key topics, timestamps, resources, and a CTA.
  • Your show notes should sound like you, not like a form letter. The template handles structure. You handle the voice.
  • Episodes with strong show notes keep working for you long after you publish them.