Google is making a significant change in its podcast strategy by announcing the discontinuation of its standalone podcast app in 2024. Instead, the company will integrate podcast content into YouTube Music, its music streaming platform. The move aims to create a more seamless and enhanced experience for podcast listeners and creators.
Users in the United States can already access podcasts on YouTube Music without requiring a paid subscription. This includes features like the ability to download podcasts, play them in the background, and easily switch between audio and video formats. Google plans to make podcasts on YouTube Music available globally before the end of the year.
Google is planning to increase their investment in the podcast experience on YouTube Music, introducing YouTube-only capabilities across community engagement, content discovery, and the ability to seamlessly switch between audio and video content. This shift aligns with usage trends among podcast listeners, with data from Edison indicating that 23% of weekly podcast users in the US prefer using YouTube, compared to only 4% for Google Podcasts.
Google aims to make the transition from Google Podcasts to YouTube Music as smooth as possible for users. They will provide a straightforward migration tool to move existing podcast subscriptions seamlessly. Additionally, users will have the option to add podcast RSS feeds to their YouTube Music library, expanding their podcast choices beyond what's currently available on YouTube. For those who prefer alternative podcast platforms, Google will offer an OPML file of their podcast subscriptions for easy migration.
While Google Podcasts will continue to operate until 2024, Google's focus will increasingly shift towards making YouTube Music the primary platform for podcasts. This strategic move reflects the broader trend of major streaming platforms integrating podcasts into their offerings to create a one-stop destination for audio content.
In conclusion, Google's decision to discontinue its standalone podcast app in favour of YouTube Music signifies its commitment to providing an enriched podcast experience and streamlining its services to cater to evolving user preferences.
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