Google killed off its Podcasts app on April 2nd and pushed everything into the YouTube Music app. Currently, nothing can replicate the streamlined experience of Google Podcasts. So far, YouTube Music has completely missed the mark, from its cluttered interface to its insistence that everything needs to be connected to videos in some way. Here's what I'll miss most about Google Podcasts now that it's gone.
YouTube Music needs to avoid Play Music's mistakes with podcasts
Google needs to prove that it won't make the same mistakes with podcasts as it did with Google Play Music.
1 Simple and clean interface
YT Music is a mess
Google Podcasts had a “less is more” mentality and was not only clean and fresh, but also easy to use. There was a clear focus on finding podcasts. YouTube Music, on the other hand, feels like an audio and visual flea market. Music videos are mixed with albums and playlists, which are mixed with podcast episodes. It becomes a real pain to navigate.
I want to listen to podcasts. Why should we sift through everything else?
2 Dedicated search
YouTube Music continues to add videos, playlists, and songs to podcast search
Google Podcasts nailed the search feature since podcasts were the only thing on the app. Whether you wanted to dig deep into history or enjoy a quirky crime story, searching was easy. Everything I saw on Google Podcasts was a podcast.
YouTube Music is a different beast. Your search returns jambalaya of videos, playlists, podcasts, and albums. Your entire YouTube channel will appear in the results. This is frustrating when you're preparing for a long road trip and want an investigative journalism podcast to listen to while you travel.
3 There are no videos
Podcast app wasn't trying to let me watch videos for all podcasts
Podcast videos continue to take over YouTube Music search results. Google Podcasts has embraced the fact that podcasts are an audio medium. There were no distractions when we just wanted to listen. YouTube Music seems to insist that you need to listen to podcasts, and it pushes a video component even when you don't need it. For many of us, the podcast experience isn't improved by watching podcasters sit at desks and talk to each other with giant microphones dangling in front of their faces.
Four Free and no ads
Google Podcasts was one of Google's most user-friendly products
Google Podcasts now offers an ad-free experience with no paywall. The focus was on content, as if we, the audience, were the most important part of the equation. YouTube Music, on the other hand, is trying to squeeze every last penny out of us while telling us what to listen to. We understand the need to generate revenue, but YouTube Music is blocked by paywalls and constantly displays ads, which creates a poor user experience. And let's be real here. There are better podcast apps we can use.
8 Best Podcast Apps on Android in 2024
Our choice to listen to news and fascinating stories and learn something new
Five organized and easy
Google Podcasts is great for organizing
My subscriptions were properly listed. Downloads had their own spot. Everything felt intuitive. Google Podcasts has been one of the best podcast apps on the market due to its simple and minimalist approach to composition. YouTube Music, on the other hand, shows everything on the homepage. Music, podcasts, videos, playlists, and ads. It's a singular, chaotic mess that makes you feel stressed the moment you open the app. Sorting through your podcast subscriptions can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Google Podcasts was a lesson in simplicity
Google Podcasts has its quirks, but it has provided an easy and fun way to listen to your favorite podcasts. A streamlined interface, lack of ads, freedom from videos and a dedicated search only for podcasts have made Podcasts a gem among his fans. YouTube Music falls short in many ways, and I'm not convinced that this is the right platform for podcasts in their current format, and it feels rushed.
We understand the need for change and progress. This is why I hope podcasts find a true home on YouTube Music now that Google seems keen on this path. Google should prioritize simplicity, give podcasts their own home without videos, let you filter your searches to only receive podcasts, and give you better tools to organize your podcast library. Then YouTube Music might really shine.
Google Podcasts' shutdown date has passed several times, but it's still working (for now)
You can dismiss the warning and continue listening
