Libsyn and GDPR

The interwebs as we speak, is still flooded with all things GDPR 😱

In case you happen to not know why all of a sudden you were getting floods of emails all asking you for permission here’s some info on GPDR.

Here are some links and basic info that will get you to all things GPDR and Libsyn, (in case you missed the emails or you want quick access.) 😁

The two important documents to review (and bookmark) are below.

• Libsyn GDPR FAQ
• Libsyn Data Transparency Document

Three Most Common GDPR Questions

Just to make things a little easier, here are the three most common GDPR questions that we’ve gotten.

Please note, that the quickie answers below are NOT (not) a substitute for reading additional clarification provided in the FAQ and Data Transparency Document.

1.) Do Libsyn Customers Need To Do Anything Right Now?

No, there is no action that Libsyn needs you to take immediately.

For those that are a part of the MyLibsyn service, we will be following up with you soon to work with you directly on some updates to our policies. In the meantime, please take care of the emails of your premium subscribers and make sure you are following the practices recommended by your email service providers for GDPR compliance.

Please keep in mind that we can only speak to the services and information we provide and collect.

2.) Do You Need a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) with Libsyn?

No, Libsyn has provided the Data Transparency Document, and this document is comprehensive in providing details included in a Data Processing Agreement. If after reviewing the document you are still concerned you need a DPA, please contact support@libsyn.com.

3.) Does Libsyn or It’s Partners Sell Personal Data?

No, Libsyn does not and has not sold your personal data. Libsyn’s partners or associated third parties also do not sell personal data. The security of the information you provide to Libsyn is paramount, and we will continue to add personal data management tools going forward.

GDPR has brought about an increased conversation with our customers regarding personal data, and the resources above are part of the process of meeting GDPR requirements.

We’re here for you if you need more!

If there is something you would like to know more about any of the above, please contact support@libsyn.com and we will be happy to help you!

Libsyn Supports Google’s Podcasting Strategy

 

Updated: May 4, 2018. For some time now, Google has been enhancing the way they handle how podcasts display in search results using an Android device.

There have been several new articles which are gaining a lot of coverage in the podcasting community and are bringing a new light to this functionality, like this article:

Exclusive: Inside The New Google Podcasts Strategy That Could Double Audiences Worldwide

Some of the functionality, such as the player and playlist that can appear in Google Search addressed in these articles, is worth paying attention to, though many of us are already optimized and don’t even realize it.

Note: The experience is available globally in all languages by searching in the Google App or Chrome on Android, and it’s also a part of Google Home and the Google Assistant for English-language users.

Optimizing for this functionality is simple. Google even has written their own set of guidelines for Podcasts, but it boils down to two important details:

• A valid RSS feed
• A link to your RSS feed on your website

If you are hosting with Libsyn, you already have access to a fully valid and compatible podcast RSS feed. Now, you just need to link that feed to your website.

Using the Libsyn Podcast Page

If you are utilizing Libsyn’s Podcast Page, rest assured that the page is already optimized for this functionality. To make full use of the option, follow these steps:

• Log into your Libsyn Dashboard
• Select Settings –> Show Settings
• In the Website field, enter your website URL
• Hit Save

Pro Tip

Make sure to enter the full website address:

http://www.mywebsiteisawesome.com

Be sure to include ‘www’ if you traditionally use it with your site.

Using Your Own Website

You should always link to your feed on your home page of your site so that potential listeners can select your feed and use it to subscribe using whatever app they wish.

But, a special link should also be used:

<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="YOUR PODCAST NAME" href="https://yourfeedurl.libsyn.com/rss" />

For example, this code would look like this for Libsyn’s podcast The Feed:

<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="The Feed: The Official Libsyn Podcast | Podcast Strategy | Podcasting Tips | Media Hosting" href="http://thefeed.libsyn.com/rss">

We recommend placing this line of code in the header of your site (in between the <head> and </head> tags). How this is done will depend on how your site is built, and the template you are using. Again, be sure to use the full URL for your site:

http://www.mywebsiteisawesome.com

Be sure to include ‘www’ if you traditionally use it with your site.

First, we want you to know that if you host with us and use our podcast pages, you are covered.

Google is keeping things simple. all you need is: a valid RSS feed and a the above link to your RSS feed on your website. That’s all!

If you have questions, reach out to support(at)libsyn(dot)com so they can take a look at your setup and let you know if you need to make any changes.

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Editing notes: we got some feedback from Google which gave us more specific information. The post that you see above is the edited version