Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Remove Download Button on RSS Audio Feed in WordPress

If you're using WordPress to host your website and publish podcast episodes, you might have noticed that your RSS audio feed includes a download button. While this feature can be useful for some users, others might prefer not to enable downloads on their podcasts. In this article, we'll show you how to remove the download button on your RSS audio feed in WordPress.

Why Remove the Download Button on Your RSS Audio Feed?

There are many reasons why you might choose to remove the download button on your RSS audio feed. Here are a few:

• You might want to encourage listeners to visit your website to listen to your podcast, rather than just downloading it through their podcast app.
• You might be hosting your podcast elsewhere (like on a dedicated podcast hosting platform), and you don't want to make it easy for users to download your episodes directly from your website.
• You might prefer not to offer downloads for copyright or other legal reasons.

Whatever your reason, removing the download button on your RSS audio feed is a quick and easy process in WordPress.

How to Remove the Download Button on Your RSS Audio Feed

To remove the download button on your RSS audio feed, you'll need to follow these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Click on the Podcast Settings menu item (if you're using a podcast plugin like Seriously Simple Podcasting).
3. Click on the Feed Settings tab.
4. Scroll down to the Player Settings section.
5. Toggle the Download Button option to off.

That's it! Once you click Save Changes, your RSS audio feed will no longer include a download button. Note that this will only affect new episodes that you publish from this point forward. Any previously published episodes will still include a download button.

Other Options for Restricting Downloads

If you want to restrict downloads of your podcast episodes even further, there are other options you can consider. For example:

• You can disable downloads on individual podcast episodes. This will prevent users from downloading individual episodes, while still allowing them to subscribe to your podcast and listen to it on their favorite podcast app.
• You can password-protect your podcast episodes. This will require users to enter a password before they can download or listen to your podcast episodes, providing an extra layer of security.

To implement these options, you'll need to use a podcast hosting platform that provides these features, or a podcast plugin that integrates with them.

Conclusion

Removing the download button on your RSS audio feed in WordPress is a simple process that can help you achieve your podcasting goals. Whether you want to encourage listeners to visit your website, protect your podcast content, or comply with legal requirements, disabling downloads can be an effective solution. With the steps and options outlined in this article, you can find the right approach for your podcast and audience.