Google Podcasts, the tech giant’s dedicated podcast app, is set to shut down in April 2024. The move follows the integration of podcasts into YouTube, with a migration tool launched to facilitate user transition to YouTube Music.
Google Podcasts’ journey to shutdown
In September, Google announced its plan to discontinue Google Podcasts, aligning with its strategy to streamline its audio offerings. This decision integrates podcasts into YouTube, reflecting a shift in the company’s approach to audio content.
Timeline of the shutdown
- Official Shutdown Date: Google Podcasts will officially stop functioning in April 2024.
- Availability Until Shutdown: Users in the U.S. can listen to podcasts on the app until March 2024.
- Migration and Export Deadlines: The deadline for migrating or exporting subscriptions is set for July 2024, with an additional deadline in August 2024 for exporting subscriptions as an OPML file.
Migration to YouTube Music
Google has launched a migration tool within the Google Podcasts app to assist users in this transition. This tool will enable users to transfer their podcast subscriptions to YouTube Music seamlessly. It will appear as a prominent banner in the app in the coming weeks, offering a straightforward process for transferring subscriptions. Additionally, for users preferring third-party podcast apps, an option to export subscriptions as an OPML file will be provided.
How the Migration Tool works
- Availability: The tool will appear in the Google Podcasts app through a banner at the top of the screen.
- Process: Users can export their subscriptions to YouTube Music or as an OPML file for use in third-party podcast apps.
- Global Rollout: Initially available for U.S. users, the tool is expected to be released globally soon.
Google’s strategic shift to YouTube Music
This move is part of Google’s broader strategy to make YouTube Music a primary destination for podcasts. Google has been enhancing YouTube Music to incorporate podcasts, centralizing its listenership previously spread across multiple apps.
Google’s decision to integrate podcasts into YouTube Music is reflective of its broader strategy to unify its audio offerings. This move aims to consolidate the listenership previously dispersed across multiple apps into a single, more robust platform. Many popular podcasts are already available on YouTube, and with the new integration, listeners will have the ability to add shows directly to their YouTube Music library via the podcast’s RSS feed.
