PodPair Standards.
Every podcast on PodPair is reviewed against PodPair Standards before joining the platform. The standards exist to protect the guest experience - when a guest accepts a match offer, they need to know the show is real, the host is credible, and the audience is what we say it is.
For prospective podcasters: this page documents the four standards we evaluate and what we're looking for. The fastest way to know if your show qualifies is to read it through carefully before applying.
The four PodPair Standards
Four requirements every podcaster has to meet.
Real audience evidence.
We look for evidence of a real listener base. This isn't a download-count threshold - small shows with engaged audiences are good; large shows with empty engagement are problematic. We look for signals of actual reach: episodes with comments and shares; guests who reference being heard; a website or platform that surfaces audience interaction; download metrics where available.
What we're filtering out: shows that exist as personal brand-projects without engagement, shows that have abandoned their audience, and shows whose audience claims don't match observable reality. A small show with 200 weekly listeners who genuinely listen is a better placement than a large show with 5,000 nominal subscribers who never engaged.
Consistent publishing cadence.
We look for shows that publish on a predictable schedule. Weekly is common; biweekly or monthly are fine. What matters is consistency - not whether the show publishes constantly, but whether it publishes reliably enough that a guest booked today knows roughly when their episode will air.
We expect at least three published episodes in the past 90 days at the time of application. Shows that have gone dormant - even briefly - need to demonstrate active resumption before joining the platform.
Clear topic and audience positioning.
We look for shows with editorial focus. A podcast's topic and audience should be describable in a sentence - 'a show for early-stage SaaS founders on go-to-market mistakes,' or 'a property investment podcast for portfolio landlords building beyond their first ten units.' Specificity is welcome; broad positioning is acceptable if it's intentional and audience-validated.
What we're filtering out: shows that conflate multiple unrelated topics, shows whose positioning shifts every season without explanation, and shows that haven't decided who they're for. Matching depends on positional clarity on both sides.
Credible host with verifiable track record.
We look for hosts whose professional presence is verifiable. This usually means a LinkedIn presence with appropriate detail, a personal or company website that references the show, demonstrable expertise or platform in the show's topic area, and a body of past episodes that shows hosting competence.
What we're filtering out: anonymous shows, hosts whose claimed credentials can't be verified, and shows whose host has no presence outside the podcast itself. Our guests are professionals putting their reputation on the line; they need to know who's interviewing them.
Beyond the four standards
Substance and consistency - not polish.
The four standards are the requirements. Beyond them, we exercise editorial judgement about whether a show fits PodPair's platform. We look for shows that operate within our Phase 1 verticals - professional services, health and wellness, property - or the broader business ecosystem around them: leadership, entrepreneurship, sales and marketing, finance and investment.
We accept shows of varying production polish. A solo-recorded show with thoughtful editing is a strong candidate. A studio production with multiple guests is a strong candidate. A show recorded over basic conferencing software with good guests and good conversation is a strong candidate. Polish is not the test - substance and consistency are.
We do not accept shows that exist primarily as marketing vehicles for the host's services (without independent editorial integrity), shows whose primary content is sponsored placement rather than guest conversation, shows with formats that don't support B2B guest matching (panel-only, host-only commentary), or shows that have published content that violates editorial norms or treats guests dismissively.
The review process
Apply, review, onboard.
Application submission
Submit your show details, audience description, host credentials, matching preferences and contact details. It typically takes 15-20 minutes - be specific. The review depends on what you tell us.
AM review against Standards
Your Account Manager reviews the application against the four standards plus editorial fit - typically 5-7 working days. They may request more evidence. Some applications are accepted, some declined, some paused pending more evidence.
Onboarding setup call
Accepted shows get a 30-minute setup call. We walk through your matching mode (Industry-first / Skills-first / Mixed), refine your profile, and brief you on how matches are sent. Your show goes live for matching right after.
Common questions
Standards, answered.
We're cautious about brand-new shows. Three published episodes minimum is the line. If you've just launched, build to that baseline before applying - it shouldn't take long if you're publishing consistently, which is itself one of the standards.
Phase 1 verticals are professional services, health and wellness, and property. We also accept shows in the broader business ecosystem - leadership, entrepreneurship, sales and marketing, finance and investment - where there's meaningful audience overlap. If your show is in a different B2B sector, apply anyway and tell us; we may waitlist you for when that sector launches, or accept under broader business framing.
Multi-host shows are fine - the credibility-and-track-record standard applies to the host (or hosts) collectively. List both hosts on your application with their credentials.
Light sponsorship integrated into shows is fine - most professional podcasts run some form of sponsorship. What we filter for is shows whose primary content is sponsored placement rather than guest conversation. If your standard episode has substantive guest discussion alongside an ad break, you're well within scope.
Decline reasons are shared - your Account Manager will tell you which standard didn't meet the threshold and what would change the assessment. You can reapply once the gap is addressed. Decline doesn't mean 'never' - it usually means 'not yet.'
Yes. If you think the assessment missed context (audience metrics you didn't include, episodes we didn't sample, credentials we didn't verify), reply to your decline email with the additional context. Your Account Manager re-reviews.
Have a question that isn't covered here? Get in touch and we'll help you work out whether your show fits.
Ready to apply?
Submit your application to start the review.
Reviewed against PodPair Standards. Free during our beta.