Google has decided to bet everything on YouTube Music for podcasting and announced that Google Podcasts will shut down in 2024. The goal is to make YouTube Music the only reference container for fans of podcast content, offering exclusive features and a vast library of titles.
Google Podcasts is closing its doors after 5 years of activity
The Mountain View company launched Google Podcasts in 2018, but never managed to compete with other apps in the sector. As early as April 2023, Google began moving users to YouTube Music, allowing them to listen to podcasts for free. After all, YouTube Music also offers decidedly advantageous features, such as the ability to listen to podcasts offline and in the background, as well as switching from the audio to the video version.
To ease the transition, Google promised to provide tools and support to both users and creators. Finally, the web giant will ask for feedback in the coming months, to ensure that the transition process is as smooth as possible, planning to release clear instructions on all the new tools available to podcasters.