Google Podcasts to Shut Down in 2024 But it Will Head on Over to YouTube Music

Another one of Google's dedicated platforms for media content meant for the Android OS, Google Podcasts, is set to take its leave, with the shutdown taking place this 2024. The good thing is that Google Podcasts' library is not getting deleted altogether, but would make its move to another of Google's streaming platforms, YouTube Music, allowing users to export their library.

Podcasts join the likes of the other legacy Google Android apps that saw a shutdown, with some of the previous ones seeing a rebrand to current services available.

Google Podcasts to Shut Down this 2024

The days of Google Podcasts are numbered, and this is because of the recent confirmation that the platform will shut down come April 2024, giving users around four months to get their affairs in order and transfer to other streams. This shutdown centers on the US region, but it is speculated that further into the future, Google Podcasts will also make its exit on other regions.

According to 9to5 Google, the Mountain View giant will make the service available until March 2024, but further will no longer offer the same features it had before.

Moreover, users will soon be given a way to transfer their content over to other streaming platforms or apps, including its very own YouTube Music.

Export Your Podcasts to YouTube Music

A banner will soon appear on Google Podcasts which talks will allow users to "Export subscriptions" over to YouTube Music, and it will be seen in the app. There will also be a dedicated tool that will arrive in the weeks ahead that will allow the transfer to YouTube Music.

Notably, YouTube Music's Podcasts feature will be free to access, and this transfer would allow users to resume their streams on other platforms.

Google Podcasts and YouTube

The era of podcasts faced different shifts in its demand from the public, as it initially saw an early popularity back when the smartphone era began, but later toned down.

However, in the mid to late 2010 decade, podcasts became massive again, with many bringing over their YouTube and other platform's video content to a voice-only experience, with Google Podcasts as one of the top destinations.

YouTube is one of the top places to stream different podcast shows from the industry, with various types of content and formats, including audio-only and those that show the speakers talking to each other. Moreover, Google released a new feature for YouTube Music this year, and this is the arrival of Podcasts to the platform much like Spotify, available for free.

Despite the new YouTube Music feature which only went live recently, Google is filling it with a new wave of content to bring significant stories and talks right on the platform. Google Podcasts will cease to exist come April 2024 and starting soon, users may be able to export their subscriptions and library over to YouTube Music, alongside other apps, for all podcast content they have or are currently listening to.