In case you missed it, Google has announced the end of its Google Podcasts service, forcing users to migrate their subscriptions to YouTube Music or export them to another podcasting app.
According to a recent support article, Google Podcasts will cease operations in the United States this month, with international users having until mid-to-late June 2024 to transition away from the service. Global users will have until July 29, 2024, to migrate or export their podcast subscriptions.
Google Podcasts Is Shutting Down Globally
While the shutdown initially affects users in the United States, international users should take action well ahead of the June deadline.
Users are encouraged to transfer their subscriptions to YouTube Music, but this option is only available in countries where YouTube Music is accessible. If you are unable to use YouTube Music, consider exporting your subscriptions to another podcast app.
It is worth noting that child accounts cannot transfer subscriptions to YouTube Music, so users should act quickly to avoid losing access to their favorite podcasts.
The transition process has raised questions about the fate of podcast data. Google assures users that all Google Podcasts data will remain available in Takeout for a year, after which it will be deleted unless users choose to delete it earlier.
Why Is Google Pulling the Plug on Google Podcasts?
The news has raised concerns among users, particularly about the potential loss of features. According to 9to5Google, there have been no updates to YouTube Music since mid-December, when essential podcast features were promised.
These include new episode notifications and the ability to mark episodes as played, both of which users expect from podcast platforms.
Google's decision to discontinue Google Podcasts could be influenced by user preferences. According to Google, 23% of weekly podcast users in the United States prefer YouTube to Google Podcasts, indicating a shift in consumer behavior toward video-centric platforms.
For users looking to transition their subscriptions to YouTube Music, Google provides step-by-step instructions. According to Google, users can export their subscriptions directly from the Google Podcasts app. They then need to transfer these subscriptions to YouTube Music by following a simple process outlined in the app.
Here are the steps to transfer podcast subscriptions to YouTube Music:
Open the Google Podcasts app.
Click on "Export subscriptions" at the top of the screen.
Under "Export to YouTube Music," tap on "Export."
Open the YouTube Music app.
Tap on "Transfer" and follow the prompts.
Wait for a few minutes for the subscriptions to transfer.
Once complete, confirmation will be available on the YouTube Music home screen. Tap on "Go to Library" to view the transferred subscriptions.
However, it is important to note that podcasts transferred to YouTube Music are not hosted by YouTube and may not comply with YouTube's Community Guidelines. Additionally, some podcasts may not be available in the YouTube Music library.
