iTunes Movable Type podcast tip

I like to output as much data as possible for feed aggregators, especially when one feed aggregator accounts for over 50% of my podcast listeners. I was frustrated that my podcast did not have a published duration until I realized there was a pretty simple solution: MTEntryKeywords.

I almost never use the keywords field, yet it is already built-in as a storage option for every post. Perfect! No plugins necessary. Here’s how you do it.

1. Add your podcast’s duration (two-digit minute (mm):two-digit seconds (ss)) as your entry keywords.

2. Add a line to your Really Simple Syndication (RSS) 2.0 feed:
   <itunes:duration><$MTEntryKeywords$></itunes:duration>

The time column will now be populated in iTunes for all of your podcasts.