We Bid Farewell To Google Podcasts👋, But What Happens Now?

2 Apr

It’s official, Google Podcasts will be no more, marking the end of an era.😥

But what brought on this decision? Well, Google has decided it wants to make things simpler, and to do this, they have teamed up with Youtube to switch podcast listening over to Youtube Music instead. 📺

After April 2nd 2024, users in the US will no longer be able to listen to or distribute content via Google Podcasts, with the same applying to all regions after June 24th 2024.

This announcement came as a surprise to many, and may seem daunting to loyal Google Podcasts users, but there’s not need to worry! Google Podcasts recognised the need for a smoother experience for it’s users, and so this transition aims to streamline user experience. With YouTube already garnering plenty of podcast traffic, the decision to integrate podcasting into YouTube Music ensures Google are on top of their game and remain relevant alongside other big names in the industry such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 💪

So, What Happens Next?

Although Google Podcasts will cease the ability to distribute podcasts onto it’s platform after April, they have still provided users with plenty of time and resources to transition away from Google Podcasts. If you currently host your podcast on Google Podcasts, you will have until July 29th 2024 to export your subscriptions to a different platform. After this time, Google Podcasts Manager will no longer be available to users in all regions.

How Do I Move My Subscriptions?

We recommend transitioning your content directly the Youtube Music, as this is the easiest process to follow. Google has offered helpful resources to help you with this process.

If you’d prefer to migrate your subscriptions elsewhere, Google has suggested that users download an ‘OPML’ file from Google Podcasts. The OPML file contains your subscription data which allows you to transfer your subscriptions to a brand new platform seamlessly. Here's how to do this:

Visit podcasts.google.com and ensure you're logged in.
Click on the three-line menu at the top left corner and select Settings.
Locate the option "Export for another app" and click on Download.

You can also export your analytics here.

What Else Should I Consider? 🤔

Update Your Podcast Cover Art 🖼️

If your podcast artwork currently features the logo of Google Podcasts as a distribution platform, it's time for a refresh. Consider updating your artwork to feature the logo of YouTube Music instead. This change ensures that your artwork accurately represents the platforms where listeners can find your content.

The same also applies to any social channels or websites that are linked to your podcast which also advertise Google Podcast distribution, ensure this information is accurate and up to date across all relevant platforms!

Stay In The Loop 🔁

As with any transition, staying informed is key to navigating changes professionally and accurately. Stay connected with official announcements from Google and engage with community forums, online discussions, and support channels to stay informed about user experiences, tips, and best practices during this transition. By staying informed and proactive, you are able to adapt to the changes with confidence and also minimise any potential disruptions to your podcasting experience.

Back Up Your Content 🔒

It’s very important that you back up your content, even if you're pressed for time, safeguarding your podcast is crucial to prevent data loss!

As the transition deadline approaches, ensure that you prioritise saving your content elsewhere, whether it's exporting subscriptions, downloading episodes, or saving playlists, take the necessary steps to secure your valuable content. Even if you can only find the time to save your content to Google Drive, that is better than losing everything! You can always transfer them to another platform later when you find the time.

This advice is especially important if Google Podcasts is the only platform you use to host your podcasts. Don’t wait until the last minute to safeguard the time and hard work you have put into creating your podcast.

Remain Open To Other Platforms 🫶

We always reccomend distributing your podcast to more than one platform. Not only does this increase your reach, but it also gives you peace of mind that anyone can access your podcast no matter what platform they prefer.

If your podcast has solely been distributed on Google Podcasts, now is the time to expand your presence and consider distributing it across multiple platforms, offering wider accessibility and exposure. Branching out to a variety of platforms also helps to ensure resilience against changes such as this. You never know what’s around the corner!

The information provided in this blog post is accurate as of April 2024. However, it is important to acknowledge that updates or changes may occur in the future. If you are reading this after April 2024, please ensure you do further research to verify the facts.