Google podcast is set to shut down in 2024 with plans to migrate its listeners to YouTube Music, BrandSpur Nigeria understands.
With the forthcoming update, both music and podcasts will subscribed to via YouTube Music
Outlining its plans for the year 2024 regarding podcasts and their platforms, Google announced that it plans to significantly enhance the podcast experience within YouTube Music. This is aimed at creating a more appealing destination for both podcast enthusiasts and creators. “Later in 2024, as part of this process, we’ll be discontinuing Google Podcasts. As part of this transition, we’ll be assisting Google Podcasts users in migrating to Podcasts within YouTube Music,” notes the official blog post.
Google further justified its moving citing current data of its listeners across YouTube Music and Google Podcasts. ” According to Edison, about 23% of weekly podcast users in the US say YouTube is their most frequently used service, versus just 4% for Google Podcasts.”
Google Podcasts To Shut Down Soon With Listeners Migrated To YouTube Music
Meanwhile, to make this transition smooth, Google will introduce a straightforward migration tool, allowing users to seamlessly transition to YouTube Music. Additionally, users will be able to add a podcast RSS feed to their YouTube Music library, extending their podcast options beyond those currently available on YouTube.
Additionally, for users who prefer a different platform for their podcasts other than YouTube Music, Google will also offer an option for users to download an OPML file of their podcast subscriptions. This will enable users to upload their saved podcasts to an app that supports their import.
In addition to the migration, Google will also include unique features available only on YouTube, such as community engagement, content discovery, and the seamless transition between audio and video content.
Notably, Google’s announcement to shut down Podcasts and turn everything to YouTube Music is not surprising. Earlier this year in April, Google introduced a feature in the United States that allowed users to enjoy podcasts on YouTube Music without needing a paid subscription. This feature facilitated offline podcast listening and the ability to seamlessly switch between audio and video versions within the YouTube Music platform. Additionally, YouTube has also announced its intention to make podcasts globally accessible on YouTube Music by the end of 2023.
As for the Podcasts app, originally launched on Android in 2018, Google Podcasts offered users a collection of podcasts for free, accompanied by personalized recommendations. In 2020, Google underwent a redesign of the app and finally made it available on iOS as well. The service was also available for web users on Windows, and macOS platforms.
