How To Replace A File In Libsyn Without Forcing New Downloads

Have you ever published a podcast episode where you made a simple little mistake that you really wanted to fix, but you didn’t realize it until after half of your subscribers had already downloaded the episode? This has happened to me on several occasions.

In my current Podcasting A to Z session, one of my students submitted the following question…

When I listen to podcasts in the car (on an iPod), I pay a lot of attention to the visual indicators that tell me when I have a new episode. If I go back to an old episode, change something in the audio file and re-upload it (I use libsyn for hosting), will it show up as a new episode?

I ask because there are a few audio-quality things that I’d like to fix (my current obsession) but I don’t want to confuse/annoy my listeners by making old episodes appear as new episodes.

Thanks!

I’ved decided to answer this question by creating a very brief video tutorial on how to easily replace an existing file on libsyn so that new people who download your episode will get the updated version of your episode, but those who already downloaded the old version will not be forced to download the episode a second time.

6 comments

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Cliff Ravenscraft

Sounds like it is a policy that they do charge you. Though I bet if you had a one time case scenario where they might make an exception, you would find Libysn a very nice company to work with in that way. I find that when one approaches any service department with a great deal of grace, respect, and diplomacy, you'd be surprised at how willing companies are to help you out in a bind. This has always been the case, for me, with libsyn. Thanks for the post Glenn.

I find that when one approaches any service department with a great deal of grace, respect, and diplomacy, you'd be surprised at how willing companies are to help you out in a bind. This has always been the case, for me, with libsyn.

Thanks for the post Glenn.

Glenn Pendleton

Thanks for the great tutorial. I have looked for a while to find out how to do this. There is little support from Libsyn and they seem to have shut down the forum. I have uploaded an edited file that they counted against my storage limit, but I did not use this method. I have a question in to Libsyn support about this, will post the reply when I get one.

Great question. I don't know that I have a lot of time to research the answer right away. If you find out, please let me know. Best way to reach Libsyn about such things is emailing support@libsyn.com.