Google announced today that it will be shutting down its Google Podcasts app in 2024 as part of its broader transition to move its streaming listeners over to YouTube Music.
The company said that it is "making a significant investment in the podcast experience on YouTube Music" and that it believes YouTube Music is the "best place for podcasts to thrive."
Google Podcasts has been a popular podcast app for many years, but it has struggled to keep up with the competition from other apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify. In recent years, Google has been focusing on integrating podcasts into YouTube Music, and it is now clear that the company plans to make YouTube Music its central podcast destination.
The shutdown of Google Podcasts is a significant blow to the podcasting industry, but it is also a sign of Google's commitment to YouTube Music. YouTube Music is already a major player in the music streaming market, and it is clear that Google wants to make it a major player in the podcasting market as well.
Here are some potential benefits and drawbacks of Google's decision to shut down Google Podcasts and focus on YouTube Music:
Potential benefits:
- Convenience: Users will be able to find and listen to podcasts in one place, YouTube Music.
- Discovery: YouTube Music's algorithm may be better at recommending podcasts to users based on their listening history and other interests.
- Monetization: Google may be able to generate more revenue from podcasts on YouTube Music due to its larger user base and advertising platform.
Potential drawbacks:
- Loss of choice: Users will have fewer choices of podcast apps.
- Quality of experience: YouTube Music may not be as good of an experience for listening to podcasts as dedicated podcast apps.
- Loss of innovation: Google Podcasts was a dedicated podcast app, and its discontinuation may lead to less innovation in the podcasting space.
What does this mean for podcast listeners?
If you are a Google Podcasts listener, you will need to start thinking about where you will listen to your podcasts in 2024. YouTube Music is a good option, but there are many other podcast apps available, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Overcast.
Ultimately, the best place to listen to podcasts is a matter of personal preference. Consider the features that are important to you, such as discovery, recommendations, and playback controls, when choosing a podcast app.
What does this mean for podcast creators?
If you are a podcast creator, you will need to make sure that your podcast is available on YouTube Music. You can do this by submitting your podcast to YouTube Music or by using a service like Podbean or Buzzsprout.
You should also start thinking about how you can promote your podcast on YouTube Music. You can do this by creating video trailers for your podcast episodes, sharing your podcast on social media, and collaborating with other podcast creators.
The shutdown of Google Podcasts is a change, but it is not necessarily a bad thing. YouTube Music is a powerful platform with a large user base, and it has the potential to help podcast creators reach a wider audience.
