Google to discontinue Podcasts in 2024

Google has made an announcement stating that it will discontinue Google Podcasts by the year 2024.

In the blog post, Google expressed its plans to invest more in the podcast experience on YouTube Music. They aim to enhance the platform for both podcasters and fans, introducing exclusive features that encompass community engagement, better content discovery, and the ability to seamlessly switch between audio and visual elements. As part of this process, Google will be phasing out Google Podcasts later in 2024 and assisting current users in migrating their podcasts to YouTube Music’s podcast section.

Google assures that it will collaborate with podcasters and listeners to ensure a seamless transition to YouTube Music. They are actively developing tools to facilitate migration, including the ability to import podcast RSS feeds and transfer show subscriptions to alternative platforms.

For individuals who prefer different listening platforms, the migration tools will also have the option to download an OPML file containing their show subscriptions. This file can then be uploaded to an app that supports the import. In addition, Google is committed to providing podcast creators with robust tools for content creation and analytics, along with RSS uploads. This will enable podcasts to be available on YouTube Music, where fans can enjoy them in various settings, such as in the background, during commutes, and even offline.

Google wants to emphasize that, for the time being, nothing will change, and fans will still have access to YouTube, YouTube Music, and Google Podcasts.