Google has announced the impending closure of its Podcasts app in the United States, set to take effect in just a few days. Users of the app have been notified that they must transfer their subscriptions to YouTube Music by April 2 if they wish to continue accessing and streaming their favorite podcasts. Those who delay the migration process will still have a grace period to make the switch, but they will lose the ability to stream directly from the Podcasts app after the specified date.
With over 500 million installations on Android devices worldwide, the Google Podcasts app has served as a straightforward platform for discovering, following, and listening to podcasts, along with features allowing users to add podcasts via RSS feed for more than five years. However, Google announced last September its intention to gradually phase out the Podcasts app in early 2024 as part of a broader initiative to consolidate its audio services under YouTube.
In a strategy reminiscent of the transition from Google Play Music in 2020, YouTube Music is now poised to absorb podcasting functionalities, having recently gained the ability to support podcasts globally by the end of 2023, with RSS feed uploading capabilities introduced in February. This consolidation not only streamlines Google’s efforts but also aligns with the growing popularity of video podcasts, a format already thriving on YouTube.
The decision to shift podcasting to YouTube could potentially elevate Google’s presence in the podcasting realm. Notably, Spotify recently inked a deal with Universal Music Group (UMG) to introduce video podcasts to its U.S. audience, following successful trials in 11 other markets earlier in March.
The closure date for the U.S. version of Google Podcasts was initially reported by Bleeping Computer, with confirmation from a support page on Google’s website indicating that U.S. users will lose access to the app by the end of March 2024. For users who may miss the in-app notifications, Google will extend the deadline for saving subscriptions by offering an export feature until July 2024.
While Google has not provided a timeline for the global shutdown, it has confirmed its commitment to the April 2 deadline for the U.S. market. However, the company has yet to disclose specific plans for discontinuing Google Podcasts on a global scale, as outlined in previous communications.
