Google has unveiled its plans to integrate Google Podcasts into the YouTube Music platform. The search engine company has not yet disclosed the specific date of the shutdown for the platform, but it's already scheduled for 2024.

Until then, users can still use Podcasts before YouTube Music takes over next year.

Embracing the Podcasting Boom

The podcasting landscape has witnessed an extraordinary surge in popularity, with the spoken audio format captivating audiences worldwide. 

Google acknowledges this change and aims to provide a seamless podcasting experience by killing Google Podcasts.

"We know this transition will take time, but these efforts will allow us to build an amazing product and a single destination that rewards creators and artists and provides fans with the best Podcasts experience," a YouTube blog post wrote.

Furthermore, many podcast creators have diversified their content by offering video versions on YouTube, making it a natural progression to consolidate both audio and video podcasts within the YouTube Music platform.

Related Article: Google Search Introduces Podcast Directory in New Update

Smooth Transition From Google Podcasts to YouTube Music

To ensure a hassle-free transition, Google will introduce a user-friendly tool enabling Google Podcasts users to effortlessly migrate their content to YouTube Music, according to TechCrunch.

This move opens up exciting possibilities, including the long-awaited feature to subscribe to podcasts via RSS feeds directly within YouTube Music. Previously, this was primarily limited to podcasts hosted on YouTube. 

The company also intends to extend podcast accessibility to all YouTube Music users, a feature currently restricted to specific regions.

Options for the Future

Google emphasizes its commitment to users' freedom of choice. Should you prefer not to embrace YouTube Music, the platform will offer an option to download an OPML file of your podcast subscriptions. This feature empowers users to transition to alternative platforms seamlessly.

Affordable Podcast Listening

For users concerned about potential subscription fees for podcast content within YouTube Music, rest assured that you can continue enjoying podcasts for free.

While music listening includes ad-supported options, subscribing to YouTube Music Premium or YouTube Premium unlocks the benefits of ad-free music downloads and uninterrupted listening, per Android Police.

Google's decision to integrate Google Podcasts into YouTube Music is rooted in user preferences. Independent research conducted by Edison reveals that approximately 23% of weekly podcast users in the US identify YouTube as their primary platform, compared to a mere 4% for Google Podcasts. 

It's worth noting that the research refers to "YouTube," leaving room for interpretation regarding both YouTube and YouTube Music.

In the upcoming months, Google plans to engage with users to gather valuable feedback on the transition process. Once Google is confident that the migration tools are ready, they will be released alongside clear guidelines, ensuring a smooth shift.

For users who can't readily accept that Google Podcasts will soon become unavailable, you're not alone in this problem. Of course, other podcast platforms are still out there, with so many choices that will cater to listeners' needs worldwide.

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