The days of Google Podcasts are coming to an end. The plan will eventually be available worldwide, but for now it will be available to users in the United States starting in April. In his March 18th blog post, Googler Cory Peter announced all the important dates for this change and detailed the strategies both platforms will have for podcasts going forward.
What happens to podcasters and listeners?
This isn't entirely a bad thing, as it's part of Google's plan to centralize its podcasting channels.
Due to deprecation, users are encouraged to migrate their podcast subscriptions to YouTube. Another advantage is that users can take advantage of YouTube Music's great features, such as download options.
The best part is that YouTube Music offers these features without requiring a paid membership in most regions, making it an attractive platform for both podcast listeners and creators. .
What are the important dates?
April 2, 2024: Google Podcasts will no longer be available to users in the United States.
June 24, 2024: It will then be deprecated for all users worldwide.
July 29, 2024: Finally, you will no longer be able to access the Podcasts Manager.
How do I migrate my podcasts?
Migrating your podcasts from Google Podcasts to YouTube is an easy process thanks to the tools and instructions provided by Google. Here are the steps podcast listeners and creators should follow:
For podcast listeners:
Migration tool: Google's migration tools simplify the process of moving your podcast subscriptions from Google Podcasts to YouTube Music. This tool can be accessed from a banner within the Google Podcasts app.
Export options: If you prefer to use another podcast app, you can also use this tool to export your subscriptions as an OPML file, which you can upload to any podcast app that supports this format.
YouTube Music features: After migration, listeners can enjoy podcasts on the go with background playback and offline downloads. YouTube Music's integration with Google Assistant further enhances accessibility, especially in cars and wearable devices.
For podcast creators:
Upload RSS feed: Podcasters can upload their shows to YouTube using their existing RSS feeds through YouTube Studio, ensuring a seamless transition and continued access to their audience.
attract new viewers: Moving to YouTube opens new avenues for audience engagement thanks to YouTube's user base and enhanced discovery capabilities.
Benefits of moving to YouTube Music
Moving to YouTube Music provides users with a set of new features while still providing access to their favorite podcasts.
Seamless audio video switching: Listeners can easily switch between audio and video formats for podcasts.
Enhanced detection: YouTube Music's discovery feature helps users find new podcasts that match their interests.
community engagement: YouTube's platform fosters interaction between podcasters and viewers, creating a stronger community.
The first announcement was made on September 26th of last year on blog post pages on both Google Podcasts and YouTube. “For listeners, it will combine the world of music they already love with podcasts from their favorite creators and artists,” YouTube said in an excited statement. And for podcast creators, this means driving audience growth across audio and video formats. ”
Overall, considering YouTube's existing podcast library and audience means that this transition shouldn't be an inconvenience for both listeners and podcasters. It will be interesting to see if this new avenue will further increase YouTube's audience.
