Google plans to shut down Google Podcasts “later in 2024”, moving its streaming listeners to YouTube Music, which will support US podcasts and RSS feeds by 2024
Again the question - how can you possibly TRUST basing your usage on Google products? — It's gotten to the point where I simply don't try out new Google services, because I know that they will go away at some point. … Ed Ross / @edross@mas.to : @Techmeme — Do you have a “Google plans to shut down....” template? Bluesky: Rich Stroffolino / @mranthropology.bsky.social : When Google podcasts launched, I thought it would provide a continuous client experience for listening across a browser and mobile in a way that would be really convenient. Instead it was... very confusing, not built out and I never saw the benefits of surfacing in search. [embedded post] Greg Linden / @glinden.bsky.social : In addition to Google Domains, Google shutting down another product I use and like. The lesson here seems to be that Google is unreliable and you shouldn't depend on any of their products. I think concern about being there for customers is particularly damaging to Google Cloud. [embedded post] Greg Linden / @glinden.bsky.social : In addition to Google Domains, Google shutting down another product I use and like. The lesson here seems too be that Google is unreliable and you shouldn't depend on any of their products. I think concern about being there for customers is particularly damaging to Google Cloud. [embedded post] X: Artem Russakovskii / @artemr : Google Podcasts, a half-assed effort I will not miss, is going to die in 2024. While they are migrating to YouTube Music and will support podcasts there, I've been quite happy with @pocketcasts. https://www.androidpolice.com/ ... Rohit / @krishnanrohit : Hey @Google at least try selling these things off? I will buy this off you for $10. Stop killing your darlings! @ianchaffee : Google getting started on its Halloween product graveyard early. Julia Alexander / @loudmouthjulia : Inevitable, but smart, move from Google. YouTube monopolizes the video ad market. Audio creators are using YT to increase discovery + ad-sharing potential. Using Music as an all-in-one utility really centers YouTube as the creator center across all formats https://blog.youtube/... @ddallala : Why do I keep falling for this?! Podcast is/was such a great and simple product. As was Google Reader, Google Domains, Google Inbox and Nest Secure. Again I have to completely rethink my daily flows in a way that's likely detrimental😪(sigh) @killedbygoogle : I see Google is continuing its push to have all things media under the YouTube brand. https://9to5google.com/... Corey Quinn / @quinnypig : I've found that if you migrate off of a Google product to the replacement Google product, you'll be migrating again a year or two later anyway. You can save a lot of time and effort down the line by migrating off to a non-Google product. LinkedIn: Anastasia Runez : Google Podcasts to shut down in 2024 with listeners migrated to YouTube Music — As a long-time Google Podcasts user since 2019, I'm disappointed by this news. … Emil Protalinski : Again, Google? — RIP Google Podcasts, “later in 2024.” — Google Podcasts users will move to YouTube Music, which will get US podcasts and RSS feeds by 2024. … Forums: Hacker News : Google Podcasts to shut down in 2024 r/google : Google being Google for the umpteenth time - Killing Google Podcasts r/technology : Google Podcasts to shut down in 2024 with listeners migrated to YouTube Music See also Mediagazer
Context & Ripple Effects
Google had already narrowed podcast access in its broader ecosystem by removing direct playback from Search in favor of recommendations; this move completes a further consolidation around YouTube Music. The destination service had also been building library capabilities, including support for users’ owned music libraries, suggesting Google was positioning it as a more comprehensive audio destination.
The change also fits a record of product exits that includes the closure of Google-owned short-form audio app 60dB. For listeners and publishers, RSS support is consequential because it preserves a path for podcast subscriptions rather than making the transition solely a proprietary catalog migration.
First-order effects
- Google Podcasts listeners must move their listening and subscription routines to YouTube Music or export them elsewhere; YouTube Music becomes Google’s designated podcast surface in the US.
- Google must add RSS-feed support to YouTube Music, bringing podcast ingestion and playback into a service previously centered on music.
Second-order effects
- Podcast publishers and listeners gain a stronger incentive to maintain portable RSS subscriptions, while competing podcast apps can target users who do not want to switch to YouTube Music.
- YouTube Music’s product priorities broaden: podcast discovery, subscription migration, and playback must coexist with its existing music experience, rather than being handled by a separate Google app.
Third-order effects
- If Google continues concentrating media features in fewer consumer apps, product continuity becomes a competitive differentiator for audio platforms, not just catalog size or recommendations.
- The move points toward a two-layer podcast market: open RSS remains the distribution substrate, while large platforms compete to own the listening interface and its associated audience relationship.
The trend: Google is consolidating standalone consumer media products into larger platforms while retaining RSS as a practical bridge for portable podcast distribution.