Google Podcasts Fades Out: Users Migrate to YouTube Music (or Find New Homes)

Google Podcasts CoverListeners of podcasts, take note! As of April 2, 2024, Google Podcasts will formally cease operations in the United States. Google first revealed this information in September 2023, and it represents a major change in the company’s approach to audio material.

YouTube Music Takes Center Stage:

Google is aggressively moving consumers to YouTube Music, which is the company’s main audio platform. In order to support podcasts, YouTube Music has made a number of changes. These include the inclusion of a section specifically for podcasts, episode thumbnails, timestamps, playlists, and a smooth interface for alternating between audio and video formats.

Migrating Your Podcast Data:

To ease the transition, Google offers two options for migrating your podcast data:

  • Transfer to YouTube Music: This is the easiest and most advised course of action. From Google Podcasts, users can export their subscriptions and import them into YouTube Music.
  • Transfer to Third-Party Services: Google makes it possible to export subscriptions as an OPML (Outline Processor Markup Language) file for customers who would rather utilize a another platform. Subsequently, this file can be added to a third-party podcast app that is compatible.

Step-by-Step Guide for Transferring to YouTube Music:

  1. Open the Google Podcasts app.
  2. Tap “Export Subscriptions” at the top.
  3. On the following screen, select “Export to YouTube Music” and tap “Export.”
  4. YouTube Music will open, prompting you to confirm the data transfer. Tap “Transfer.”
  5. If you haven’t installed YouTube Music yet, you’ll be redirected to the app store.
  6. Once the transfer begins, a notification box will appear. Tap “Continue.”
  7. The transfer process may take a few minutes depending on the number of subscriptions.

Transferring to Third-Party Apps:

  1. Follow steps 1 and 2 from the YouTube Music transfer method.
  2. Instead of selecting “Export to YouTube Music,” choose “Download” under the “Export for Another App” section.
  3. This will create an OPML file on your device.
  4. Download a podcast app that supports OPML import, such as Pocket Casts.
  5. Within the chosen app, locate the import function. Pocket Casts provides an import tool upon opening the app.
  6. Navigate to your device’s Downloads folder and select the OPML file.
  7. Upload the file to complete the transfer.

Global Google Podcasts Shutdown on the Horizon:

In addition to the April 2nd US shutdown, Google has announced a worldwide outage for “all users this year.” For some areas, a precise timeline is still unknown.

Choosing Your New Podcast Home:

The simplest way is to migrate to YouTube Music for a seamless move. Users might, however, choose to investigate alternative podcast applications that offer features more suited to their tastes.

The podcast listening landscape is changing as a result of Google Podcasts turning off its microphones. You can be confident that your podcast subscriptions will follow you to your new audio paradise regardless of whether you choose to use YouTube Music or try something else.

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