Frequently Asked Questions

What is IPFS Podcasting?

IPFSPodcasting.net manages decentralized distribution of podcasts using the IPFS network.

How does it work?

Submit a feed to load the most recent episode (and future episodes) into the IPFS network.

How are episodes distributed?

Podcast clients subscribe to the "IPFS Enabled" feed (a copy of the original feed). When a new episode is available, it is downloaded via IPFS Gateways.

Is it compatible with my podcast client?

The "IPFS Enabled" feed is identical to the original feed. Only the enclosure url is modified to use an IPFS Gateway. IPFS Gateways use http/https protocols like any other hosting provider.

Where are the "IPFS Enabled" feeds?

When you Submit a feed, IPFS Podcasting will generate a page for the feed containing the "IPFS Enabled" RSS feed. Feeds managed by IPFS Podcasting are located here.

Can I just use my own feed with IPFS Podcasting?

Yes! Using your main feed is preferred over having multiple feeds (your "real feed", and an "IPFS feed"). Adding an "IPFS Podcasting prefix" to your enclosure url will check if your episode is on IPFS. If so, it will send the player to the IPFS version of the episode. If not, it will use the original mp3. Click here to learn how to use the IPFS Podcasting prefix.

Are you a hosting provider?

Sort of. Content is hosted on volunteer IPFS nodes. Podcasters still need to originate their content on a host somewhere. IPFS Podcasting will copy the original content to the IPFS network for distribution. But your episodes will only stay on IPFS while they're popular. If nobody is listening (or favoriting), the files will revert to your hosting provider.

Can I self-host using IPFS Podcasting?

You can self-host using IPFS Podcasting as long as nodes are willing to support your show. The more nodes supporting your show, the faster & more reliable performance from the network. Read more about self-hosting using IPFS Podcasting.

Why should I use IPFS Podcasting?

Podcast owners will achieve reduced bandwidth cost, everyone will experience better performance. If used exclusively, episode content is downloaded once from the source, then all future downloads are via the IPFS network (not from the original host).

How long are episodes hosted on IPFS?

Each episode will stay on the IPFS network as long as it's popular. Episodes will be removed from IPFS after 48 hours with no downloads.

What happens after an episode expires?

The "IPFS Enabled" feed reverts to the original source for episode content. After all episodes have expired, the IPFS feed is identical to the original feed.

Why don't you host episodes forever?

Storage & bandwidth still cost money. We don't store the episode. We only manage storage on volunteer IPFS Nodes, so we want to respect volunteer storage and bandwidth. However, each volunteer node has the option to "Favorite" feeds to host forever (until "un-favorited").

Why don't you load the entire feed into IPFS?

Volunteer nodes have the option to host an entire feed by "Favoriting" the feed.

How do I get nodes to favorite my feed?

Become a volunteer IPFS node! IPFS Podcasting was developed to allow podcasters and listeners to host episodes in a decentralized way. As more nodes favorite a feed, decentralization increases, resulting in faster downloads and better performance.

What about download stats?

Download counts over IPFS are tracked by IPFS Podcasting. If you own a podcast, or run an IPFS node that participates in the IPFS Podcasting Network, you can create an account using your podcast/node owner email address and view basic statistics.

What about feature X? / Why don't you add Y?

This is still a work in progress. If this proves to be a valuable service, many new features will be developed.

How can I contribute?

Click here to see how you can help.