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Alright, time to talk about @anchor.
Anchor is a podcast platform that allows people to record and upload audio from their device to a personal RSS feed (the backbone of podcast feeds). Cool, right?
There’s just one problem: they’re not policing what users upload. /1
Anchor is a podcast platform that allows people to record and upload audio from their device to a personal RSS feed (the backbone of podcast feeds). Cool, right?
There’s just one problem: they’re not policing what users upload. /1
How do I know?
Because my team and I launched a new podcast three weeks ago called American Shadows, and for some reason there are TWO of them listed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and more.
Two American Shadows. Same art. Same description. Different publisher. /2
Because my team and I launched a new podcast three weeks ago called American Shadows, and for some reason there are TWO of them listed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, and more.
Two American Shadows. Same art. Same description. Different publisher. /2
Last thing: if you’re an avid podcast listener and you’ve made it this far into the thread, well done.
But also, could I ask you to be vigilant and make sure the shows you tap “Subscribe” for list the actual creator below the title? It makes all the difference here.
/End
But also, could I ask you to be vigilant and make sure the shows you tap “Subscribe” for list the actual creator below the title? It makes all the difference here.
/End
Why are there two?
Because some asshole is copying and uploading our content, which @Anchor then distributes to all the major platforms automatically.
See those platform icons circled in red? They don’t link to our official show. /3
Because some asshole is copying and uploading our content, which @Anchor then distributes to all the major platforms automatically.
See those platform icons circled in red? They don’t link to our official show. /3
And the financial impact gets worse.
For those who don’t understand the plumbing behind the podcast curtain, shows earn money based on the number of downloads they can deliver for an advertiser.
The more listeners, the higher the price tag. Which supports the creators. /5
For those who don’t understand the plumbing behind the podcast curtain, shows earn money based on the number of downloads they can deliver for an advertiser.
The more listeners, the higher the price tag. Which supports the creators. /5
Knowing that, you can see how a pirated feed (downloaded by unsuspecting listeners) prevents a show from delivering its promised downloads for an advertiser.
They’ll either earn less, or lose those sponsors for good.
All because @anchor doesn’t pay attention. /6
They’ll either earn less, or lose those sponsors for good.
All because @anchor doesn’t pay attention. /6
But it gets worse. Because @anchor allows their users to MONETIZE their content. Even, apparently, when it’s someone else’s.
And I guarantee that Anchor gets to keep a nice slice of that monthly contribution. /4
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And I guarantee that Anchor gets to keep a nice slice of that monthly contribution. /4
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And my show isn’t alone. I’ve seen a LOT of twitter threads from other podcasters claiming to have found the same thing: unauthorized copies of their shows on all major platforms.
And the source of all that pirated content? Feeds originating from @anchor. /8
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And the source of all that pirated content? Feeds originating from @anchor. /8
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Could I just report the illegal feed to @anchor? Sure, but everyone else who has discovered the same problem with their own stolen show has been told “we’ll fix it” and it’s still not fixed.
So I’m telling you. Because maybe if enough people call them out, they’ll fix it. /9
So I’m telling you. Because maybe if enough people call them out, they’ll fix it. /9
I’ll be speaking to my attorneys about it today. But most shows don’t have that power, and that’s the other part of this situation that sucks.
An unmonitored content platform, blindly allowing and monetizing IP theft…which hamstrings real creators. /10
An unmonitored content platform, blindly allowing and monetizing IP theft…which hamstrings real creators. /10
My team and my partners at iHeart worked our ASSES off for months to create and produce American Shadows. We spent money, time, and energy building something new.
And 3 weeks in, someone else is ranking & profiting from it.
All because @anchor approved stolen content. /7
And 3 weeks in, someone else is ranking & profiting from it.
All because @anchor approved stolen content. /7
