Google is notorious for axing its projects and services. Recently, the company announced it will shut down its Google Podcasts app in the United States. Thankfully, those residing outside the US could still use the app. However, that is subject to change in June 2024, as the company has announced it will pull the plug on the service globally.
Google Podcasts has been around for a hot minute. Initially, the service was heralded under a different banner, Google Play Music Podcasts. Over the years, Google Podcasts saw a flurry of improvements, including a revamped and user-friendly interface and the ability to pick up a podcast from where you left off on a different device. You could even add subscriptions via an RSS feed.
That said, the service is now being clubbed under YouTube’s umbrella. As such, Google is imploring users to transfer their subscriptions over to YouTube Music. Additionally, you can transfer your subscriptions to another app if you’re not the biggest YouTube Music fan.
Users will be able to access podcasts from the YouTube Music app
To do so, you must export the subscriptions as an OPML file. The company’s app has a notification at the top encouraging you to use it, but you can also access Google’s Takeout service and email your subscriptions to yourself. Note that we could not get the exporting feature from the app to work when writing this article, at least in India. However, your mileage could vary.
On the bright side, Google is giving users ample time to migrate their data to a different service. In fact, subscription migration will be supported until 29 July 2024. Additionally, you may notice some podcast shows not appearing if you’re migrating your feed to the YouTube Music app. The reason is that the show may not be available on YouTube Music.
Google Podcasts joins a long list of apps and services the company has shut down. Interestingly, you can check out all the applications Google has axed by visiting Killed by Google, an open-source website that tracks all the projects – well – killed by Google. Let us know what you make of Google’s latest decision in the comments below. While you’re at it, let us know your favorite podcast app, too.