The beauty is media hosting services is that you only need to upload your episode to one place, and it’ll automatically appear in places like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Here’s how media hosting works, and why it matters.

Anchor provides unlimited free hosting, and there doesn’t seem to be any sort of limitation on the size of the files that you can upload. I tend to do a lot of dramatized audio productions that use really intense soundscapes. So when I create an audio drama, I want to have that full range of sound available to my audience.

In addition to all of that, Anchor's episode management tools have been greatly improved upon. You can now rearrange segments in your episodes as well as build episodes from new or previously created content. Once you're finished with an episode, you can publish directly to Anchor as well as platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Play Music. So, with something as simple as my little Sampson Go Mic, or a pair of RODE Smartlav+ mics, it allows me to plug that in, walk around, talk to people with it and record that way. Or, I can do the same thing using my laptop.

Mobile-wise, the redesigned Anchor app offers a plethora of new and improved features to effortlessly craft a podcast right on your phone. As soon as you open the app, you're taken directly to the creation screen where the app automatically begins generating a new podcast episode. Once there, you can choose to start recording right away. And if you've got some podcasting partners in crime, have no fear —you and up to ten friends can record simultaneously. In creation, you can also add transitions, insert full songs from both Apple Music and Spotify, and broadcast voice messages —previously called call-ins — from your listeners. The interface is clean, minimal, and pretty much totally foolproof, too. If you've just signed up to begin your podcasting journey, the app guides you through everything from tools to podcast ideas to troubleshooting. (And it isn't in that annoying, forever-taking tutorial way, either.)

What’s next for me?

Anchor 3.0 has also introduced a completely reinvented web client with even more creation tools as well as analytics, expanded distribution options, and, of course, the unlimited free podcast hosting Anchor is known for. According to the company's blog post, there are a ton of things you can do with the new web tools, including the following: Anchor announced in a blog post today that new music-related features are available for the app. The additions are as follows: If you’re podcasting for your brand or business, it’s definitely worth opting for a paid hosting service, which will cost you little more than couple of coffees per month. As far as ad placement, it’s really easy to place the advertisements. All you do is edit your episodes, treat the advertisement that you recorded as a segment, and place it where you want in the podcast. This ensures that your ad is not going to show up in some random place, in the middle of a sentence. It’s a really simple interface that allows you to just throw in an ad, right where you want it. Anchor Review: Recording from Anywhere If you're ever in a situation where you can't really pull out your headphones or blast audio through your smartphone speakers, Anchor's new video feature is going to be great for you!