Google has announced that its Google Podcasts app will be discontinued in 2024, with users being transitioned to YouTube Music. This move is part of Google’s broader strategy to centralize its streaming services and focus on enhancing the podcast experience on YouTube Music.
Google Podcasts to be replaced by YouTube Music
Here’s what you need to know about the transition:
- Migration to YouTube Music: Google Podcasts will cease to exist in 2024, and YouTube Music will become Google’s sole podcasting app and service. Podcasts in YouTube Music will receive several updates, including full global availability before the end of 2023.
- Simple Migration Tool: To facilitate the transition, Google is providing a simple migration tool that will allow users to transfer their existing podcast subscriptions from Google Podcasts to YouTube Music. This tool will also enable users to add podcasts via RSS feeds, including shows not currently hosted by YouTube.
- OPML File Export Option: For users who prefer not to move to YouTube Music, Google will provide an option to export an OPML file of their show subscriptions. This file can be uploaded to any other podcast app that supports imports.
- Podcast Listening Until 2024: Google Podcasts will remain operational until the transition is complete, ensuring that users can continue to listen to their favorite podcasts during this period.
- Feedback and Refinement: Google plans to gather feedback to make the migration process as smooth and user-friendly as possible. They are committed to being transparent in communicating future changes with users and podcasters.
- Enhanced Features on YouTube Music: The shift to YouTube Music is expected to bring new features focused on discovery, community, and switching between audio podcasts and video, providing a richer experience for podcast fans.
This transition reflects Google’s observation that a significant portion of podcast listeners already use YouTube as their primary podcast platform. With YouTube Music set to replace Google Podcasts in the US by April 2024, Google aims to create a single destination that caters to both music and podcast listeners, competing more effectively with other major players like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
For more detailed information on this transition, you can visit the sources at TechCrunch?