PodcastID

Podcastid is a generic term used to describe the unique identifier assigned to a podcast show or to an individual episode within podcast directories, hosting platforms, and metadata systems. It functions as a stable reference that enables APIs, databases, and analytics tools to locate and reference a podcast regardless of changes to its title, author name, or where it is hosted.

In practice, podcastids are typically opaque strings or numbers that distinguish one show or episode from another. Most platforms maintain separate namespaces for shows and episodes, so a podcastid for a show is distinct from the id used for a specific episode. Some systems use numeric IDs (as seen in certain directory URLs), while others employ alphanumeric strings or UUID-like identifiers. The exact format varies by platform, but the key property is immutability: a podcastid should not change if the podcast moves to a new host or undergoes a rebranding.

Podcastids are widely used in APIs, analytics, directory listings, and metadata feeds. They allow applications to fetch up-to-date information, track listens and subscriptions, link to episodes across platforms, and unify data from multiple sources. They also help with content management tasks such as migrating catalogs, de-duplicating entries, and maintaining stable links.

Although podcastids are typically opaque to casual users, they play a central role in the interoperability of podcast data. When working with multiple platforms, developers rely on podcastids to reference the same show or episode reliably, regardless of title changes or URL structure.