Google has faced backlash from users over its decision to discontinue Google Podcasts, with users dissatisfied with YouTube Music as an alternative.
Google will retire Podcasts in April 2024. The company gave users until July 2024 to migrate their subscriptions to YouTube Music. However, unfortunately for users, YouTube Music is not as full-featured and feature-rich as alternative services.
Emma posted on Reddit with the YouTube Music team, promising some improvements in the future.
Hello! I'm Emma. I work at YouTube Music, focusing on podcasts. I know a lot of the conversations here are focused on music, but I've also seen a lot of discussion about podcasts on YouTube Music. We want you to know that we are listening to your feedback and are working on a lot of things on the podcast side –
- You can now sort podcast episodes from newest to oldest, oldest to newest, most popular, or default (order set by the creator).
- If you're a listener outside the US and have the podcast in your library, you'll see it on your home screen, including a new “Recommended Shows” shelf (already available to US users)
- Improved search results make it easier to find your favorite YouTube podcasts
This is just the beginning. The Podcasts team is working on many more improvements. If you'd like to hear more about the latest podcast updates, let us know here.
Despite the guarantees, users were quick to point out their disappointment with the status quo. User lukeanstee wrote:
I do not want to say. However, Google Podcasts has been discontinued in order to integrate with YouTube Music. YouTube Music is a fundamentally broken service since being replaced by Google Music (which was nearly perfect). This is one of the worst decisions made by Google as far as I know.
It's nice to try to do what Spotify does, but let's get the basics right first.
User Alert Bug said this is a given for Google.
I don't hate saying it. Shout it from the rooftops. Google keeps announcing things that will be discontinued, and even if a replacement is planned, it will never have the same features or polish as the original. Hassle.
As we pointed out in our report on the demise of podcasts, Google has a long history of discontinuing its products and confusing users. The company has serious commitment problems, bouncing around from idea to idea with little long-term commitment.
Until Google shows that it's committed to its products and won't abandon its users, people should avoid its services.
