Rules, Regulation & Eligibility

CHANGES THIS YEAR:

• For podcasts and broadcasts, nominations are per podcast or show. not per person.

• You can now be a nominee and a sponsor. This was highly requested. Sponsors get extra perks.

• If you are submitting a nomination for a podcast type, you must have an RSS feed from a podcast host and be listed in Apple and Spotify. If your show is not hosted with an RSS feed or not listed on Apple or Spotify, simply use the Broadcast nomination.

• Lower early bird pricing of only $10 until January 1, 2026.

• The dates have changed for 2026:

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT REGISTERING AS A NOMINEE:

• NOMINEES: There can be one nomination per podcast, broadcast, producer or expert guest. Nominations are submitted by the nominee (podcast/broadcast host/owner), not a 3rd party.

• Nominate yourself as a Podcaster, Broadcaster, Producer or Expert Guest.

• One nomination submission per Podcaster, Broadcaster, Producer or Expert Guest. If you'd like to be in another category or award type, for example a podcast and an expert guest, then submit a 2nd nomination.

• MULTIPLE HOSTS: When nominating a podcast, you can list multiple people per podcast or show, but one account access and certificate will be issued. There is a space in the form to list hosts. The exception is that Producers and Expert Guests can submit a separate nomination for those roles.

  Example: If a person is a podcasters and expert guest, they would submit one nomination for each of those roles. Same if someone wants to be nominated as a podcasters and a producer - it would involve 2 separate nominations, if you choose. 2 separate nominations are not required, it's only necessary if you want recognition in both award types.

• PODCASTS: "PODCAST" refers to a show that is hosted on a podcast host and must have an RSS feed. It must be on Apple and Spotify, in addition to any other podcast directories.

• BROADCAST: A Broadcast is a show or channel that doesn't have an RSS feed. For example, a Youtube channel, TikTok or IG account where someone publishes their content in the format of a show.

• For podcasts and broadcasts, do not include links or shows that are behind a pay gate or login. It must be publicly available.

• For podcasts and broadcasts, you can list multiple hosts / podcasters per podcast or show, but one account access. One certificate will be issued to winners.

• For podcasts and broadcasts, the main host must be a woman.

• PRODUCERS: Producers nominate themselves may produce multiple shows, and can mention them briefly as part of their bio in their form submission.

• EXPERT GUESTS: Expert guests nominate themselves and must have been a guest on a minimum of 5 podcasts or shows.

• YOUR PAYMENT: Payments are in US funds via credit card or PayPal. There are no refunds on nomination payments. Payments include 1 nomination form per person per category. The initial payment does not include revisions. There is an extra fee for requesting revisions.

• YOUR REGISTRATION: Upon submitting payment, you will be directed to the nominee form. You must fill out the nominee form in full with all the needed details to complete your nomination. If the form is not filled out within 5 days of your purchase, we will be unable to set up your nomination page, and your nomination will not proceed to the next step.

• SUBMISSIONS: Each nominee must submit their nomination form themselves, not through a 3rd party. The reason is because the nominee must personally commit to the declarations and agreements directly themselves. Our group is about podcasters connecting directly with other podcasters and expert guests, so we do not allow reps or Vas.

• YOUR CONTENT: Podcast descriptions and bios must be 75 words or less. It must be fully edited and within the word count to be accepted. If you submit more than 75 words, it will just be cut off at the 75 words. Editing is not included in the fee. You need help creating a concise description, GO HERE.

• YOUR IMAGES: Your headshot and cover art must be a square and no larger than 1080x1080. If they are the wrong dimensions, your images will not be included. A fee will be charged for adding other images.

• MODIFICATIONS: There is a fee for requesting modifications to your nominee page, such as changes to your bio, podcast description, images or links. With that in mind, we recommend gathering your details before filling out the nomination registration.

• NOMINEE LISTINGS: Your nomination profile page will normally be processed within a week of receiving your completed nomination form.

• RECOMMENDATIONS: Choose only one category per podcast. Otherwise, your vote will be split. People can only vote for one nominee per category.

• YOUR EMAIL: We will need to contact you throughout the nominee and awards process with instructions and other important updates, so please be sure to provide an active email address in your application.

VOTING & SHARING: You will share your nomination with your audience during the voting period and ask them to vote. People's Choice style of awards offer opportunities to engage with your audience and grow your community. We provide images and swipe copy to help you share about your nomination and when it's time for voting:

• The link and login to the nominee resources is emailed to you upon registering your nomination.

• Tell your audience about your nomination.

• When it's voting time, tell your audience your category and how to vote for you.

• It is free to vote.

• Let you audience know that it's one vote per person / per email address.

Sharing:

• Only nominate yourself if you are willing to share about your nomination and ask for votes.

• While waiting for Voting Time, nominees are welcome to share about their nomination, but don't direct them to voting yet.

• When it's time for voting, nominees will ask their audiences to vote for them.

• Nominees will share their nomination on their socials, in their communities and through their email lists.

• Nominees will provide instructions to their audience on how and where to vote, and any other information applicable to inspiring people to vote.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO WIN:

• The podcast with the most votes in a category will win the awards for that category.

• Winners are based on the highest volume of votes.

• Get as many people to vote for your podcast as possible.

• Share your nomination with your audience during the Voting period.

• Awards will be presented to the nominee directly at an online awards ceremony. Not a 3rd party.

Podcast Nominees:

• Podcasters must have a minimum of 5 published episodes.

• To be a Podcaster nominee, the podcast must have a publicly accessible RSS feed that can be followed/subscribed to. That means that it is hosted by a known podcast host, for example: Captivate, Libsyn, Buzzfeed, or the like. Your RSS feed is provided by your podcast host.

• You can have an audio and video podcast, but you must have an RSS feed to be a Podcaster nominee.

Broadcast Nominees:

• Broadcasters must have a minimum of 5 published episodes.

• The Broadcast Category is for those with shows that have no RSS feed.

• This category is for channels, such as those on Youtube or TikTok.

Producer Nominees:

• Producers must have a minimum of 10 published episodes.

• The Producer Category is for those working behind the scenes, such as producers and editors.

Expert Guest Nominees:

• Expert Guests must have been on a minimum of 5 published episodes speaking about their area of expertise.

Voters:

• One voting form per person / email address.

• Everyone is eligible to be a voter.

• All genders are welcome to vote.

• It is free to vote.

Not Allowed:

• Automated programs or technology-assisted voting mechanisms - not permitted. If automated entries are detected, the nominee with the automated nominations will be removed.

• Badmouthing or slandering the Women Podcasters Awards - not permitted.

Disqualifications:

Women Podcasters Awards reserves the right to:

• Incomplete applications. Filling out the nomination form to complete the submission is the nominee's responsibility.

• Remove any nominees who violate the purpose of the awards or use forbidden methods to automate nominations or voting.

• Disqualify any nominee the committee feels violates the purpose of the Women Podcasters Awards or brings discredit to the awards.

• Disqualify any show on the grounds of hate speech or violence. While we strongly support freedom of speech, we will not tolerate hate speech and or violence against others.

• Amend the list of forbidden activities at any time throughout the awards process.

• Disqualification will result in forfeiture of the registration fee and lifetime suspensions from future participation.

• We will attempt to contact you about any of the above situations, so be sure to provide an active email address in your application.

• Sponsors will be highlighted on our sponsors page.

• Special mentions in social posts & emails.

• You do not necessarily have to be in the podcasting or broadcasting industry to be a sponsor. If podcasters, broadcasters, speakers, coaches or creators are your ideal audience, then you will find this to be a great visibility opportunity.

• Yes, Sponsors can also enter the awards competition as a nominee. You can be both a nominee and a sponsor.