Google Podcasts is going to the graveyard as YouTube Music takes over

Google Podcasts is going away. Starting next yearGoogle will focus on offering access to podcasts within YouTube Music.

This change is not a total surprise. In April, Google launched the ability for US users to listen to podcasts on YouTube Music without a paid membership. It also allows users to listen to podcasts offline and in the background while switching between audio and video versions in YouTube Music. As part of its podcast push, YouTube also announced that it will make podcasts available on YouTube Music globally before the end of 2023.

“Looking ahead to 2024, we will increase our investment in the podcast experience on YouTube Music, making it a better overall destination for both fans and podcasters with exclusive YouTube capabilities in community, discovery and audiovisual switching,” writes YouTube. in a blog post. “Later in 2024, as part of this process, we will discontinue Google Podcasts.”

YouTube justifies the discontinuation of Google Podcasts by saying that the move “matches what listeners and podcasters are already doing.” It cites data from Edison, which suggests that 23 percent of weekly podcast users in the US say YouTube is their most used service, compared to 4 percent for Google Podcasts.

YouTube will also help Google Podcasts move to YouTube Music by providing “a simple migration tool and the ability to add podcast RSS feeds to your YouTube Music library.” The platform will also offer a tool that will allow users to download an OPML file from their program subscriptions, allowing them to upload it to other listening platforms.