Overview of Blubrry
Blubrry is a comprehensive podcast hosting and management platform designed to cater to the needs of both independent podcasters and commercial podcast networks. Founded in 2005 by veteran podcasters, Blubrry has established itself as one of the original and leading podcast companies, serving over 100,000 podcasters.
Key Features and Functionality
Podcast Hosting and Distribution
Blubrry offers robust podcast hosting with three main pricing tiers: Standard, Advanced, and Professional. Each plan includes a monthly allotment of new storage (125 MB for Standard, 400 MB for Advanced, and unlimited for Professional), unlimited downloads, and the ability to distribute your podcast to all major listening platforms.
PowerPress Plugin
The PowerPress plugin, integrated with WordPress, is a cornerstone of Blubrry’s offerings. It allows users to embed podcast episodes directly into their website, build SEO, upload both audio and video files, and track visitor engagement. This plugin is highly regarded and is the #1 podcast publishing plugin on WordPress.
Free Managed WordPress Site
Every Blubrry hosting plan comes with a free managed WordPress website. While this feature is convenient, it has limited customization and functionality options, making it less suitable for users familiar with WordPress or those seeking more flexible website solutions.
Advanced Analytics
Blubrry provides IAB-certified advanced analytics, which include detailed statistics on listener trends, retention data, geolocation, apps and devices used, episode comparisons, and estimated audiences. These analytics are available as an add-on for $10 per month or as part of the Thrive Bundle.
Additional Tools and Features
- Vid2Pod: This feature allows users to convert YouTube video podcasts into audio podcasts and vice versa, helping to build a wider audience and increase content accessibility.
- Podcast AI Assistant (PAI): Blubrry’s AI tools help with planning, post-production, social promotion, and creating highlight clips. These tools automate repetitive tasks and optimize podcast content.
- Media Mastering: An add-on service that allows users to submit un-mastered audio for professional mastering, ensuring consistent sound quality across different recording conditions.
- Podcast Transcription: Blubrry offers automatic transcription services, making podcasts more accessible with closed captions. This feature is available as an add-on for $10 per month.
- Private Podcasting: Available on the Pro plan, this feature enables secure and private podcasting for internal communications, training, or exclusive content.
Podcasting 2.0 Features
Blubrry supports Podcasting 2.0 features, including automatic transcript creation, locked podcasts to prevent unauthorized transfers, and chapters that can be edited and displayed during playback.
Embeddable Media Player
The platform includes a customizable embeddable media player that can be integrated into your website. This player supports both audio and video files and offers features like playlist creation and timestamp skipping.
Migration and Import Tools
Blubrry provides tools to streamline the migration process from other podcast hosts, making it easy to transfer existing podcasts to their platform.
User Experience and Support
Blubrry is known for its user-friendly interface and extensive documentation. The platform offers phone and email technical support, ensuring that users can quickly resolve any issues. Additionally, Blubrry’s “no-fault” hosting policy means that users are not charged extra if they exceed their storage limit by up to 25%.
In summary, Blubrry is a powerful and feature-rich platform that caters to the diverse needs of podcasters, from hosting and distribution to advanced analytics and AI-driven tools, making it a comprehensive solution for podcast management and growth.