The short answer
Use Full for main content, Bonus for additional material and Trailer for a preview. Type does not replace a clear title or publication schedule.
Give each field one job
Apple distinguishes full episodes, bonus material and trailers. For third-party RSS shows, update episodes at the host. Episode numbers are optional for episodic shows but required for serial shows.
Keep type, season, episode number and release time as separate decisions. Writing “bonus” in a title does not check the corresponding metadata field.
Build a small inventory
For an imaginary bicycle-restoration show, a planning sheet could look like this:
| Content | Type |
|---|---|
| Main restoration conversation | Full |
| Extra listener questions | Bonus |
| Preview introducing the show | Trailer |
This editorial example does not guarantee identical sorting in every app. Check the listening service that matters to your audience.
Compare the published entry
Before release, review title, type, numbering and availability in the host. After release, compare the public entry. Keep a screenshot or text record as a reference.
If your host uses different labels or hides a field, consult its documentation rather than adding unsupported tags manually. For a continuing story, plan numbering before launch; a consistent inventory is easier to audit than repeated retrospective changes.
A checklist to take with you
Tick items as you go. Checks reset when you leave this page.
Sources & scope
These original sources support the factual guidance above. Examples, diagrams and observation worksheets were prepared for this guide; they are not reports of hands-on tests.
Source check: October 23, 2026. Platform behavior can change. Check the linked official documentation when a control or requirement differs.
Keep reading
A published episode is missing from Apple Podcasts: a checking order →Replacing podcast audio? Keep the episode identity in view →