What you should know
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- Google will shut down Podcasts in the United States this month, with an international shutdown starting in mid June, allowing international users to continue using the service until mid-to-late June 2024.
- Users globally can migrate or export their Google Podcast subscriptions through July 29, 2024, with recommendations to transfer show subscriptions to YouTube Music or another podcast app.
- Transfer to YouTube Music is limited by its availability in certain countries, and child accounts cannot transfer their subscriptions to YouTube Music.
- Google Podcasts data will remain available in Takeout for 1 year after the shutdown, with Google starting to delete all users’ Google Podcasts data after this period, although users have the option to delete their data before the deadline.
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Full Story
Oh boy, here we go. Google’s decided it’s curtains for Podcasts in the US this month. Yep, you heard that right. But, hold up, they kinda left everyone else in the dark. You know, the folks not waving the star-spangled banner.
Google Podcasts isn’t just a local gig—it’s got its passport stamped all over. So, it’s only fair the Mountain View crew sheds some light for the international crowd. And guess what? They did, sort of. If you’re tuning in from anywhere but the US, you’ve got a grace period. A few more months to savor those episodes.
Here’s the scoop: Google spilled the beans in a support article update (hat tip to 9to5google). They’re planning to pull the plug on Podcasts for the rest of the world starting mid-June. But don’t panic just yet. If you’re outside the US, you can keep using Google Podcasts till around mid-to-late June 2024. After that, it’s adios.
Now, for the nitty-gritty. You’ve got until July 29, 2024, to pack up and move your Google Podcast subscriptions. The big G is nudging everyone towards YouTube Music or to export them for a different podcast app. But here’s a kicker—kids’ accounts are out of luck with YouTube Music transfers.
And oh, transferring to YouTube Music? That’s a no-go unless YouTube Music’s a thing in your country. Take South Korea, for example. Over there, YouTube Music’s playing hard to get, only cozying up to Premium subscribers.
Before I forget, there’s this bit about data. Google’s gonna hold onto all the Google Podcasts data in Takeout for a year. After that, it’s going into the digital abyss. But hey, if you’re the proactive type, you can take matters into your own hands and delete your data before the clock runs out.
So, there you have it. The end of an era for Google Podcasts, with a bit of a grace period for the international folks. Time to start thinking about where to move your podcast collection, eh?
