Google to Shut Down Google Podcasts App and Transition Users to YouTube Music in 2024

Google to Shut Down Google Podcasts App in Transition to YouTube Music

In an effort to enhance its podcast experience, Google announced today that it will be shutting down its Google Podcasts app by 2024. This move is part of Google’s broader plan to shift its streaming listeners to YouTube Music. Earlier this year, Google revealed that YouTube Music would begin supporting podcasts in the U.S., with plans to expand globally by the end of the year. More recently, Google also announced that podcasters would be able to upload their RSS feeds to YouTube.

Investing in the Podcast Experience on YouTube Music

Google intends to increase its investment in the podcast experience on YouTube Music, making it a destination of choice for podcast enthusiasts. The company plans to introduce features focused on discovery, community engagement, and seamless transitioning between audio podcasts and video content. These efforts somewhat mirror Spotify’s strategy, as the rival music streaming platform rolled out video podcast support and community features like Q&As and polls last year.

Transitioning from Google Podcasts to YouTube Music

Google’s decision to make YouTube Music the new home for podcasts entails moving users away from the existing Google Podcasts app. The company justifies this move by citing the listening habits of users. According to Edison, YouTube is the most frequently used service for 23% of weekly podcast users in the U.S., while only 4% prefer using Google Podcasts.

To assist users in transitioning to YouTube Music, Google plans to offer a migration tool and the ability to add podcast RSS feeds to the YouTube Music library. This includes shows that are currently not hosted by YouTube. While these migration tools are not yet available, Google will be working on them over the next few weeks and months for eventual rollout to all users.

Supporting Users’ Preferences and Smooth Migration

For users who prefer not to move to YouTube Music, Google will support the option to download an OPML (Outline Processor Markup Language) file of their show subscriptions from Google Podcasts. This file can then be uploaded to any app that supports importing. Google wants to ensure a seamless and convenient migration process for its users.

Google acknowledges that this transition will take time, but the company sees it as an opportunity to create an excellent product and a single destination that benefits podcast creators, artists, and fans. Google reassures users that there will be no immediate changes, and they will still have access to YouTube, YouTube Music, and Google Podcasts. The company is committed to transparent communication and will provide more information about the transition process in the coming months.

Consolidation Trend in the Music and Podcast Industry

Google’s move to shut down the Google Podcasts app aligns with its broader strategy to position YouTube Music as a strong competitor to Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other music streaming platforms. In 2020, Google implemented a similar transition plan when it shifted music listeners away from Google Play Music prior to its shutdown. However, podcasts present a unique challenge due to the widespread practice of using YouTube itself to listen to podcasts instead of relying solely on the dedicated Google Podcasts app. In contrast, YouTube Music only recently started supporting podcasts.

With the shutdown of Google Podcasts, Apple remains the only major player in the industry that has not consolidated music and podcasts into a single destination. Spotify, Amazon, and Pandora all offer both types of audio content within their flagship applications.

The post Google to Shut Down Google Podcasts App and Transition Users to YouTube Music in 2024 appeared first on asumetech.

from Technology - asumetech https://asumetech.com/google-to-shut-down-google-podcasts-app-and-transition-users-to-youtube-music-in-2024/