Google Podcasts is Saying Goodbye: A â¤Guide to Transitioning to YouTube Music
The End of an Era: Googleâ Podcasts Shuts Down⤠in the US
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After overâ half⤠a âŁdecade of providing a seamless listening experience, Google Podcasts is officially shutting down in the United States. Users have been notified that they need to migrate their subscriptions âto YouTube âŁMusic by April 2nd, 2024, to continue enjoying their favorite podcasts. âWhile those who miss the deadline â¤will â¤still have some âtime to transfer their subscriptions, they wonât be âable to stream directly from the Podcasts app after thisâ date.
This move comes as part of Googleâs broader strategy⢠to consolidate its⢠audio services under YouTube Music. Last September, Google announced â¤its âŁintention to phase out the Podcasts app in early 2024, signalingâ a shift towards a unified platform for both music and podcasts. â
A Familiar Transition: Following âŁin the âFootsteps of Google Play Music
This âisnât the âfirst time âGoogle has orchestrated aâ transition â˘away from one platform to another.â In 2019, they successfully guided â¤users from Google Play⢠Music to YouTube Music before âŁshutting down âthe former service. However, the â¤Podcasts app remained operational as YouTube Music wasnât â˘equipped to handle podcasts until recently.
YouTube Musicâ Embraces Podcasts:â A Growing Trend
By the end of 2023, YouTube Music expanded its capabilities to support podcasts âglobally. Byâ February 2024, podcasters could even upload⣠their RSS âfeeds â˘directly to the platform. This move positions YouTube Music asâ a serious contender in â¤theâ podcasting space, capitalizing on the rising popularity of video podcasts.
The trend⢠towards âŁvideo podcastsâ is gaining momentum. Spotify recently partnered with Universal Music Group (UMG) to bring⤠video podcasts to its US users, following earlierâ tests in 11 other âmarkets worldwide. This demonstrates the growing demand for a more immersive andâ engaging podcasting experience.
What Happens Next:â A Timeline â˘for Users
Bleeping Computer was the first to report the shutdown date for Google Podcasts in the US,⢠with a support page on Googleâs website confirming that users âwill only be able to use the app through theâ end of⣠March 2024. â Forâ those who miss the April 2nd deadline, Google âwill provide⤠an extended grace period until July 2024 to export âtheir subscriptions using the appâs built-in function.
While Google hasnât yet shared a timeline for the global shutdown of Podcasts, they have confirmed that it remains on⤠track for âŁa 2024 discontinuation.
