Before you record a single episode, before you design your cover art, before you even tell anyone about your show — there's one thing you need to do first: secure your intellectual property. This is step one, and it's non-negotiable.
What Is Intellectual Property (IP) and Why Does It Matter for Podcasters?
Your podcast name is your brand. And if your show takes off — as it should — you want to make sure you own every piece of it. That means owning the domain name before anyone else can.
Here's the risk: if you build an audience around a name you don't own, someone else can purchase that domain and set up a website under your brand — selling merch, running ads, or just sitting on it — and you won't see a cent of that revenue. Worse, it can create real confusion for your audience.
Don't let that happen. Own your IP from day one.
Step 1: Check If Your Podcast Name Is Available as a Domain
Head to a reputable domain registrar — GoDaddy is a popular option, but shop around for the best price — and search for your podcast name. What you're looking for is whether the .com is available to purchase.
A few things to keep in mind:
- The .com is your priority. That's the domain you'll actually use and build on.
- Also buy the .ca if you're in Canada. You'll redirect the .ca to your .com so that anyone who types either one lands in the right place.
- Don't get attached to a name if the domain isn't available. Find a variation, play with the wording, or choose something else entirely. The name matters less than owning it outright.
What If the Domain Is "Registered But Available to Purchase"?
Sometimes when you search a domain, you'll see a message like "registered but may still be available to purchase." This means someone already owns it — you don't know who — but they may be willing to sell. Premium domains can get expensive, so you'll need to decide if it's worth it. If your brand blows up, it absolutely will be. But if you're just starting out, it's often smarter to find a name you can own cleanly from the start.
You can also just type the domain directly into your browser or Google to see if it's actively being used. If it loads a real website, it's taken. If it shows a parked page or nothing at all, the owner may just be holding it.
A Real-World Example
Take Shannon Sharp's podcast, Club Shay Shay. He didn't use his own name — he created a brand around a play on his name. Whether or not he owns clubshay.com, the lesson is the same: when you build a recognizable brand, the domain becomes valuable. You want to own it before someone else does.
The Bottom Line
Before you come up with your final podcast name, check that the domain is available and purchase it. The .com and the .ca. That's step one. Everything else — recording, distribution, cover art — comes after you've locked down your IP.
When you're ready to record, we're here. Check out our Podcast & Content Recording Packages or book a studio room at our Whitby or Brampton location.