Sep 26, 2023

[Updated] News about Google Podcasts & new migration tools

Announcement

Dec 18 UPDATE: We’re launching a new migration process today that allows Google Podcast users to migrate their podcast show subscriptions from Google Podcasts to YouTube Music or to download them as an OPML file to upload to another podcast app that supports OPML import. Full update here & even more at our Help Center.

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Hey everyone!

We announced today that Google Podcasts will be going away next year. In preparation for this, existing listeners will soon be able to migrate their podcast show subscriptions from Google Podcasts to YouTube Music or to download your show subscriptions as an OPML file to upload to another podcast app that supports OPML import. We’ll share more about this in the months to come! We know this is a big change, and want to thank our loyal Google Podcast listeners over the years.

We are committed to launching the best experiences for listeners and podcasters across YouTube and YouTube Music, bringing new ways to discover, watch, listen to, create and monetize podcasts. Podcasts are already available on YouTube and soon we’ll have podcasts in YouTube Music rolled out in all countries where YouTube Music is available.

With YouTube Music, you can listen to podcasts on-the-go using background play; download podcasts; switch between audio and video; and more – with no paid membership required*. While YouTube Music looks different than Google Podcasts, rest assured that this new experience was built by a team that’s dedicated to creating a great podcast experience for all of you!

For now, you can continue listening to podcasts in Google Podcasts. We’ll update you when it’s time for you to migrate your podcast show subscriptions, along with details about the process - with plenty of time to make the switch! If you have any questions in the meantime, drop us a line below!

Podcasters using Google Podcast Manager can learn more about what this means for them here.

*except for listeners in Korea who must have a YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium subscription to access the music app.

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Last edited Dec 18, 2023

All Replies (877)

User 10118757842083117429

Sep 26, 2023

How will we subscribe to podcasts not listed in YouTube Music Podcast Directory? I have many podcasts from private RSS streams like Patron paid content or other shows that are not found when I search YTM for them.

User 9293728202

Sep 26, 2023

From what I can see they said they will add support for RSS by end of the year.

Roman Nardone

Sep 26, 2023

Will it also maintain the downloads I currently have and the queue that I have created which holds hours of content?

Will my Autodownloads be set once my subscriptions are transfered?

Will I be able able to access my history of listens?

User 5518928457711045883

Oct 5, 2023

But... when I go to YouTube music for my favorite podcast it isn't available.

I'm totally fine uninstalling Google Software, if it doesn't meet my needs.

oapostrophe

Oct 5, 2023

I expressed displeasure and could not post because it violated community policy. I'm sure a glowing review would have been moved right to the top.

Lisa Bullock 9839

Oct 18, 2023

ok I tried to put up some useful feedback but it got flagged so maybe i just have to be blunt instead of constructive. YTmusic is next to useless compared to GP. Not a fan

User 3154662340280351360

Oct 18, 2023

Thanks for the update. Why make this public before at least moving the library from podcasts over to ytmusic? I deleted my podcasts app bc I already use yt music(premium). During a 5hr roadtrip, I learned that my favorite podcast was unavailable.

So instead of a seamless, trust-based, transition, Google showed it could no longer meet podcast-listening "needs" and opened the door for competition.

rpks

Oct 18, 2023

Honestly, this is a shame! I love Google Podcasts - its seamless, well integrated with Android Auto and is not cluttered like YT Music. I tried using YT music and to put it mildly, it's chaotic and distracting. I JUST want to listen to my daily briefings, some tech and entertainment podcasts! Not deal with the myriad of things in YT Music.

James N 2221

Nov 21, 2023

I agree with this and the vast majority of posts. I just want to easily access my daily content in a simple, hassle-free way. This is a terrible move unless YouTube music is fixed.

I also tried to find podcasts and the navigation is diabolical with rubbish search results. I find YTM a cluttered mess and a generally unpleasant experience to access content in general. If I wanted a one stop shop, it would not be YTM.

Ian Fraser 14

Nov 4, 2023

This is disappointing. Google podcasts is such a excellent but simple app that is so enjoyable to use. I seriously didn't think if say that, but anything else for podcasts is clunky and frustrating.

One thing I'd love to know before it goes is my Google Podcasts usage. I'm scarily at a minimum of x1.8, so very interested in how much and what I've listened to.

Can anyone help?

Cody Dunn 1525

Nov 16, 2023

Questionable business move. Google Podcasts is a great app, and I'd love to keep using it. So far, it seems like most podcasts I listen to aren't available on YouTube Music. I'm trying to test out the YouTube Music, but so far it seems disorganized to me. I find the search results messy. Maybe once you've placed all the podcast available on Google Podcasts over on YouTube Music, it will be better. I would suggest you keep the Google Podcasts app as-is.

Dejan Danailov

Nov 21, 2023

I will miss Google Podcasts.

Two things I will miss the most are:

1. Much better playback speed options than YTM have now.

2. Trim silence option.

Graham Hick

Nov 21, 2023

Will Google assistant be able to differentiate between music and podcasts in YouTube music for resuming play? It's very useful having two separate apps for being able to switch content on the go.

User 13653872699418949495

Nov 26, 2023

I'm so disappointed the YouTube podcasts are going away but so thankful for other options

Eleanor Gee

Nov 29, 2023

Agreed. I'm happy to transition to something else (not YouTube music 🙄), but would like an easy way to move my subscriptions across.

Ryan DiFrancesco

Nov 29, 2023

Another terrible decision by Google. Youtube Music is absolutely not a replacement for Google Podcasts. Youtube Music is an answer to a problem no one had. It is a terrible piece of software that makes trying to listen to music painful. The name alone, Youtube Music, contradicts itself. I suspect the forthcoming new name of Youtube Music & Podcasts will be even more mind-numbing. How is it possible that every time I open Youtube Music I'm asked 7 times to upgrade to a paid plan. How many times do I need to answer "No"? No amount of asking me, or inserting your passive aggressive commercials, will ever get me to pay for this service.

You still have time to reverse this decision. Try doing the right thing for a change.