# Apple Podcasts Scraper: Search, Charts, Episodes & Emails (`scrape-smith/apple-podcasts-scraper`) Actor

Apple Podcasts scraper: search podcasts by keyword, look up shows, pull Top Charts by country and list episodes using Apple's official iTunes Search API and each show's public RSS feed. Includes owner contact email when the publisher lists it. Ideal for podcast guest outreach and market research.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/scrape-smith/apple-podcasts-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Ryan Sofranko](https://apify.com/scrape-smith) (community)
- **Categories:** Lead generation, Marketing
- **Features:** Limited permissions
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

Pay per event

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

### What does Apple Podcasts Scraper do?

Apple Podcasts scraper: search podcasts by keyword, look up shows, pull Top Charts by country and list episodes using Apple's official iTunes Search API and each show's public RSS feed. Includes owner contact email when the publisher lists it. Ideal for podcast guest outreach and market research.

**Popular searches this actor answers:** Apple Podcasts scraper, podcast scraper, iTunes Search API, podcast charts, podcast host email, podcast guest outreach.

**Try it free:** the input is prefilled, so just click **Start** and you get real results in seconds for a fraction of a cent.

### What data does it return?

Real rows from a test run with the example input (truncated):

| title | author | primaryGenre | episodeCount | ownerEmail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Daily | The New York Times | Daily News | 2757 | thedaily@nytimes.com |
| The Election That Will Define Israel’s Future |  |  |  |  |

Full JSON for one row:

```json
[
  {
    "type": "podcast",
    "source": "lookup",
    "chartRank": null,
    "podcastId": 1200361736,
    "title": "The Daily",
    "author": "The New York Times",
    "appleUrl": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736",
    "feedUrl": "https://feeds.simplecast.com/Sl5CSM3S",
    "genres": [
      "Daily News",
      "Podcasts",
      "News"
    ],
    "primaryGenre": "Daily News",
    "episodeCount": 2757,
    "lastReleaseDate": "2026-10-22T09:45:00Z",
    "explicit": false,
    "country": "USA",
    "artworkUrl": "https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts221/v4/ab/64/66/ab6466a9-9a7d-e20e-7a3d-bc5be37d29ce/mza_15084852813176276273.jpg/600x600bb.jpg",
    "ownerName": "The New York Times",
    "ownerEmail": "thedaily@nytimes.com",
    "websiteUrl": "https://www.nytimes.com/the-daily",
    "description": "This is what the news should sound like. The biggest stories of our time, told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro, Rachel Abrams an…",
    "language": "en"
  }
]
```

Download results as JSON, CSV, Excel, XML or HTML, call it via the Apify API, or connect it to Zapier, Make, n8n, Google Sheets and AI agents (Apify MCP server).

### Use cases

- Podcast guest booking and sponsor outreach lists
- Track Top Charts by country
- Market research on podcast niches
- Episode metadata for analytics or AI summaries

### How to use Apple Podcasts Scraper

1. Open the actor and keep the prefilled example, or replace it with your own input.
2. Click **Start** and wait for the run to finish.
3. Export the dataset or fetch it via API.

#### Input

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| `searchTerms` | Keywords to search Apple Podcasts for, one per line, e.g. `marketing`, `true crime`, `SaaS founders`. |
| `maxResultsPerSearch` | Maximum podcasts per search term (Apple returns up to 200). Example: 10. |
| `podcastIds` | Specific shows to look up, one per line: numeric Apple ID (`1200361736`) or full URL (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736). |
| `includeTopChart` | Also export Apple's Top Podcasts chart for `country`. |
| `chartSize` | How many Top Chart positions to export (max 100). |
| `country` | Two-letter country code for search and charts, e.g. `us`, `gb`, `de`. |
| `includeRssDetails` | Read each show's RSS feed for owner name, owner email, website and full description. Recommended for outreach. |
| `maxEpisodesPerPodcast` | Episodes to export per podcast from its RSS feed (0 = none; each episode is one billed row). |

Example input:

```json
{
  "searchTerms": [
    "marketing"
  ],
  "maxResultsPerSearch": 10
}
```

### Rate limits & sources

Uses Apple's official iTunes Search/Lookup API (throttled to ~20 calls/minute as Apple asks), Apple's Marketing Tools RSS for Top Charts, and each show's publisher RSS feed for owner name/email, website and episodes. `ownerEmail` is only present when the publisher lists it in `itunes:owner`. Data © Apple and respective publishers.

### Pricing

Pay per event: **$0.002 per podcast** (incl. owner email) + **$0.0003 per episode**. Apify platform usage is included. Charged events: `podcast` (per podcast row) and `episode` (per episode row). Error rows are free. Set a max charge per run to cap cost; the actor stops cleanly when the limit is reached.

| Example job | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| 10 podcasts with emails | $0.02 |
| 500 podcasts | $1.00 |
| 5,000 episodes | $1.50 |

### FAQ

#### Why is ownerEmail empty for some shows?

It is only present when the publisher lists it in the RSS `itunes:owner` tag.

#### Is there a rate limit?

Apple asks for ~20 calls per minute; the actor throttles automatically, so large searches take a few minutes.

#### Is this official?

It uses Apple's public iTunes Search API, Apple Marketing Tools RSS and publishers' feeds. Not affiliated with Apple.

#### Is it legal to use this data?

The actor only reads public, official endpoints. You are responsible for using the data in line with the source's terms and applicable laws (e.g. GDPR for personal data).

### API example

```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/scrape-smith~apple-podcasts-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items?token=YOUR_TOKEN" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '{"searchTerms": ["marketing"], "maxResultsPerSearch": 10}'
```

### More Scrape-Smith actors

- [Wayback Machine Scraper](https://apify.com/scrape-smith/wayback-snapshots)
- [Shopify Products Scraper](https://apify.com/scrape-smith/shopify-products-feed)
- [Apple App Store Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/scrape-smith/apple-app-store-reviews)
- [USPTO Trademark Status Lookup](https://apify.com/scrape-smith/uspto-trademark-status)
- [ATS Jobs Scraper](https://apify.com/scrape-smith/multi-ats-jobs-feed)
- [Bluesky Scraper](https://apify.com/scrape-smith/bluesky-posts-profiles)
- [Steam Reviews Scraper](https://apify.com/scrape-smith/steam-reviews-scraper)

# Actor input Schema

## `searchTerms` (type: `array`):

Keywords to search Apple Podcasts for, one per line, e.g. `marketing`, `true crime`, `SaaS founders`.

## `maxResultsPerSearch` (type: `integer`):

Maximum podcasts per search term (Apple returns up to 200). Example: 10.

## `podcastIds` (type: `array`):

Specific shows to look up, one per line: numeric Apple ID (`1200361736`) or full URL (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736).

## `includeTopChart` (type: `boolean`):

Also export Apple's Top Podcasts chart for `country`.

## `chartSize` (type: `integer`):

How many Top Chart positions to export (max 100).

## `country` (type: `string`):

Two-letter country code for search and charts, e.g. `us`, `gb`, `de`.

## `includeRssDetails` (type: `boolean`):

Read each show's RSS feed for owner name, owner email, website and full description. Recommended for outreach.

## `maxEpisodesPerPodcast` (type: `integer`):

Episodes to export per podcast from its RSS feed (0 = none; each episode is one billed row).

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "searchTerms": [
    "marketing"
  ],
  "maxResultsPerSearch": 10,
  "includeTopChart": false,
  "chartSize": 25,
  "country": "us",
  "includeRssDetails": true,
  "maxEpisodesPerPodcast": 0
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

Results stored in the default dataset

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "searchTerms": [
        "marketing"
    ],
    "maxResultsPerSearch": 10
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("scrape-smith/apple-podcasts-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "searchTerms": ["marketing"],
    "maxResultsPerSearch": 10,
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("scrape-smith/apple-podcasts-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "searchTerms": [
    "marketing"
  ],
  "maxResultsPerSearch": 10
}' |
apify call scrape-smith/apple-podcasts-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,scrape-smith/apple-podcasts-scraper"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/Dg63rUjChXG6CLg5E/builds/aw903mPzIa31mazm5/openapi.json