In a move that will impact podcasters and listeners alike, Google has announced that it will be shutting down its Podcasts app in the United States on April 2, 2024. The company has begun warning users of the impending closure, urging them to migrate their subscriptions to YouTube Music by the given date.
Impact on Users
Users who fail to make the switch by April 2 will still have additional time to transfer their subscriptions, but they will no longer be able to stream podcasts directly from the Podcasts app. This means that users will need to find alternative methods for accessing and listening to their favorite podcasts.
Background on Google Podcasts
The Google Podcasts app was first introduced in 2018 and has since been installed over 500 million times on Android devices globally. The app offered a simple and streamlined interface for discovering, following, and listening to podcasts, as well as tools for adding podcasts by RSS feed.
Why the Shutdown?
Google announced last September that it would begin winding down the Podcasts app in early 2024 as part of its broader plan to centralize its audio services under YouTube. The company had previously transitioned music listeners away from Google Play Music ahead of its shutdown in 2020.
YouTube Music’s Role
By the end of 2023, YouTube Music was able to support podcasts globally, and by February, users were able to upload their RSS feeds directly to the platform. This move is seen as an effort to shift podcasting over to YouTube, which could help Google become a bigger player in the space.
Benefits for Users
The transition of podcasting to YouTube Music may benefit users in several ways:
- Unified Audio Services: By centralizing its audio services under YouTube, Google can offer a more streamlined experience for users.
- Increased Focus on Video Podcasts: With the rise of interest in video podcasts, this move could help Google tap into this growing market.
Impact on the Industry
The shutdown of the Podcasts app will likely have an impact on the podcasting industry as a whole. Some potential effects include:
- Loss of Competition: The closure of the Podcasts app reduces competition in the market, which may lead to higher prices and fewer options for users.
- Shift to YouTube Music: As more podcasts are transitioned over to YouTube Music, the platform’s popularity is likely to increase.
Timeline
The shutdown of the Podcasts app will take place on April 2, 2024. Users who fail to transfer their subscriptions by this date will no longer be able to stream directly from the app. However, they will still have additional time to save their subscriptions using the export feature until July 2024.
Conclusion
The shutdown of Google’s Podcasts app in the United States marks a significant shift in the company’s audio strategy. While this move may benefit users by offering a more streamlined experience, it also raises concerns about the impact on competition and user choice. As the podcasting industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this change affects the landscape.
Update
After publication, Google responded to our request for comment, stating that while it is still "tracking towards" the April 2 timeline for the U.S., it has not shared a timeline for the rest of the world yet. The company’s plan is to discontinue the Podcasts app globally in 2024.
Related News
- Spotify Forges Deal with Universal Music Group (UMG)
- In a recent development, Spotify announced that it has forged a deal with Universal Music Group (UMG) to bring video podcasts to U.S. users of its streaming app.
- This move comes after Spotify earlier in March announced tests of video podcasts in 11 other markets around the world.
Sources
- Bleeping Computer: Bleeping Computer was the first to notice the shutdown date for Google Podcasts in the U.S.
- Support Page on Google’s Site: A support page on Google’s site confirms that the Podcasts app will be shut down on April 2, 2024.
