Whether we are talking about the appropriate name for a particular language like Castilian, the demonym to describe the residents of a country like the United States, or the appropriate term for a very particular distribution method like podcasting, the same principle applies: Words make worlds in the minds of people, and using the wrong words creates a twisted vision of those worlds in the minds of people. Ahead I’ll cover reasons why to avoid using the term podcast inappropriately, whether we are talking about video podcasts or audio podcasts.

Whether we are talking about the appropriate name for a particular language like Castilian, the demonym to describe the residents of a country like the United States, or the appropriate term for a very particular distribution method like podcasting, the same principle applies: Words make worlds in the minds of people, and using the wrong words creates a twisted vision of those worlds in the minds of people. Ahead I’ll cover reasons why to avoid using the term podcast inappropriately, whether we are talking about video podcasts or audio podcasts.

Why I wrote this short article

For a long time, I have heard people misuse the term podcast, and it has become a pet peeve, just like when they call the Castilian language “Spanish” (see related books),

when they use the term “Full HD” to refer to 1080p as if 720p were incomplete (see related article here),

or when they call 23.976 frames per second “24” or 29.97 “30” (see Video framerates and the Tower of Babel: a translation guide). Very recently, I had a problem with a potential “client of a client of a client”, since they were asking for consulting and services for a “podcast”. After some back and forth, it became clear that many of the people involved didn’t have a clear notion of what a podcast actually is, and therefore there was a conflict of expectations and requirements.

A short definition of a podcast (audio or video)

The very short definition of a podcast is an episodic series of audio or video content, that is subscribable via RSS. At a bare minimum, a podcast requires an iTunes-compliant RSS feed, a server capable of Byte Range Requests, and nowadays a logo at 1400×1400. Once you have that, then your series of programs meets the bare technical requirements to be distributed via a place like iTunes or Stitcher, and be subscribable via RSS using one of many pod-catching apps that exist for smartphones, phablets and tablets, be they Android, iOS or Windows Phone. (In order to stay on point in this article, I am omitting the legal requirements.)

The term podcast must be reserved to describe that precise method of distribution. To call a simple collection of audio or video capsules that do not meet that definition a “podcast” is incorrect and causes chaos. The same thing applies to a live broadcast: Even though a live broadcast might later be distributed as a podcast, it is not a podcast while it is being broadcast live, and should not be called a podcast during the live broadcast. Of course, it is okay to say during the show: “This program will later be distributed as a podcast,” but it’s incorrect to say: “You’re watching our podcast live” or “Welcome to the XYZ podcast” when broadcasting live.

When to avoid the term podcast

1: Avoid the term podcast in your show name

Using the term “podcast” in your show name is a bad idea for two reasons: First, there are still many people who are unfamiliar with the term. Second, it limits your program for potential future distribution in other venues, like websites including Vimeo & YouTube, traditional terrestrial AM/FM, and terrestrial or cable TV.

2: Don’t ask: “I want to produce 10 podcasts. What’s the price?”

That question came to me and it was confusing: Were they asking me to create 10 podcast structures (each with its own name, blog, domain, logo, opening, bumpers, closing, theme music, and independent iTunes-compliant RSS feed), and to record the first episode of each? As it turns out, the question was coming from a person who didn’t yet know the precise meaning of a podcast, and actually wanted to produce 10 audio capsules, and really wasn’t sure how it would be distributed.

3: If you are creating capsules to distribute on the web, YouTube, AM/FM, or terrestrial or cable TV, don’t use the term podcast

If you use the term podcast in this case, you will create false expectations among those who do know the proper meaning of the word podcast. Call it a program, a series, a show or perhaps capsules or modules when not referring specifically to the precise distribution method meant by the term podcast.

Graphic credit

The main graphic used in this article is public domain, by the Providence Lithograph Company, via Wikimedia Commons.

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