An analytics prefix (also called a URL prefix or prepend) is a tag added to your episode URLs in your RSS feed. It lets you track listener behavior, sources, and other metrics through third-party services like Spotify Ad Analytics (SpAA).
In this article, we'll walk you through the steps to add prefixes to your podcast.
Why use analytic prefixes for podcast tracking?
A prefix connects your podcast to third-party analytics services, giving you deeper insights than your hosting platform alone provides. It also lets advertisers track their campaign performance on your show, and depending on the service, can surface more detailed audience demographics to help shape your content strategy.
What providers are supported?
Zencastr supports prefixes from the following providers.
Podscribe focuses on ad attribution, helping advertisers connect downloads to real-world actions like purchases or sign-ups. See Podscribe's prefix guide for more information.
https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/
Spotify Ad Analytics (formerly Podsights) measures ad campaign performance and integrates with Spotify's broader advertising tools. See Spotify's instructions for installing the Ad Analytics prefix for more information.
https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/
Podtrac provides industry-standard download measurement and audience demographics, widely recognized by advertisers. See Podtrac's setup instructions for more information.
https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/
OP3 (The Open Podcast Prefix Project) is a free, open-source service that provides publicly verifiable download statistics while prioritizing listener privacy. See OP3's website for more information.
https://op3.dev/e/
PodRoll supports cross-promotion campaigns, letting you track listener conversions from PodRoll's promotional feed drops. See PodRoll's prefix instructions for more information.
https://pdrl.fm/XXXXXX/
Audacy Creator Lab (formerly Podcorn) is tied to Audacy Creator Lab’s advertising marketplace, verifying download numbers for sponsors you work with through their platform. See Audacy Creator Lab's prefix instructions for more information.
https://pdcn.co/e/
Don't see the provider you need? Contact our Support Team via email or chat.
Managing your analytics prefix
Follow the instructions below to add, edit, remove, or combine prefixes.
Click your Profile icon in the lower-left corner.
Click the Pencil icon next to your Show.
Click the Hosting tab.
Click Open advanced settings.
In the RSS episode URL prefix field, make your change.
To add a prefix: Enter the prefix URL.
To edit or remove a prefix: Update or delete the existing URL.
To combine multiple prefixes (up to 3): Enter each additional prefix without "https://", placing it directly after the first URL's backslash (/), and keep a backslash (/) at the end of the last prefix. For example:
https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/prfx.byspotify.com/e/
Your changes are saved automatically.
Testing the analytics prefix
An incorrectly formatted prefix can prevent episode audio from playing. Test after making changes to confirm your podcast still plays correctly.
Click Library from the left navigation menu.
From any of the tabs, click the RSS feed icon next to your show’s information.
Your RSS feed will be copied to your computer’s clipboard.
Open a new tab and paste your RSS feed.
Find the enclosure length section, then copy that URL.
Paste the URL into a new tab and press Enter.
If an audio player appears, your prefix is configured correctly. If it doesn't, revisit your prefix and fix the formatting.
FAQs
Is there a limit to the number of prefixes I can add?
You can up to three prefixes at this time.
Can I change my URL prefix later?
Yes, you can edit and change your prefix at any time.
Can I add a VAST redirect tag?
Currently, VAST redirect tags aren’t supported.If you'd like to see this feature, contact our Support Team via email or chat to request it.