[Updated] Some YouTube Music users against integration with Google Podcasts citing Spotify constantly pushing podcasts

New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on January 20, 2023) follows:

A few days ago, reports emerged that playable Google Podcasts episodes were no longer showing up in Google Search results.

For the uninitiated, ever since Google Podcasts launched, it’s been possible to start podcast episodes directly from Google Search results. However, Podnews (via 9to5Google) recently reported that this functionality is gone.

This development rekindled a discussion regarding YouTube Podcasts or rather the integration of Google Podcasts into YouTube or YouTube Music for that matter.

Last August, Google started testing something known as YouTube Podcasts. As the name suggests, this was meant to integrate podcasts into the main YouTube platform as part of the ‘Explore’ page.

However, this feature never made it to everyone. But it was hint enough that we were staring at a possible future with podcasts integrated into YouTube. This also hinted at the potential sunsetting of the Google Podcasts app.

While there’s no confirmation from Google, you can never rule out Google killing any of its good products. And Google Podcasts is one of the good ones, at least going by some comments from current users.

This partly explains the divided opinion among YouTube Music users, which could be the likely destination for Podcasts if Google indeed kills the app.

It does make sense to some considering Spotify, one of YouTube Music’s competitors, already allows listening to podcasts straight from the app.

The article suggests they may be trying to make some sort of “YouTube Podcasts” experience, which I guess makes sense, since they already switched Google Play Music to YouTube Music, and a lot of video podcasts are already uploaded to YouTube anyway. But yeah, I stuck with Pocket Casts when Google Podcasts came out, and I don’t intend to switch.
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It makes all the sense in the world. Google Play Music was merged into YouTube, Google Play Movies and TV was merged into YouTube. Why wouldn’t Podcasts do the same? Being in YouTube makes the most sense. I see other comments about it being another one for the graveyard, but I’d be really surprised if Google simply lost the ability to stream podcasts.
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While a section of YouTube Music users is totally okay with integration of Podcasts into the app, others are not quite excited about this prospect.

Some of them are citing Spotify constantly pushing podcasts to their listening recommendations as a reason for their concern.

They are worried that a similar situation may occur with YouTube Music, where podcasts will be heavily promoted and interrupt their music listening experience.

While some may have no problem with the YouTube Music app hosting podcasts, they’d prefer if they are hidden behind a dedicated tab to avoid mixing them with their music recommendations.

Oh boy I can’t wait for it to turn into a bloated, inefficient, terrible to navigate mess while filling my video suggestions with podcasts. I miss GPM…
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As noted earlier, these fears come amid recent rumors that Google may be planning to sunset Google Podcasts and migrate the app to YouTube Music (or the main YouTube platform).

But again, there’s nothing concrete behind these developments, so it’d only be fair to treat them as rumors for now, at least until Google comes out with an official statement.

Either way, we’d still like to hear your thoughts on the potential integration of podcasts into YouTube Music in the comments section below. We also have some more related coverage worth checking out here.

02:37 pm (IST): Google is reportedly working to bring podcasts to YouTube Music. Creators will soon be able to add podcasts to YouTube via RSS feed. More on that here.

05:48 pm (IST): According to a report, some users are now beginning to see podcasts on the main page and search window of YouTube Music.

Moreover, YouTube team has confirmed that all US users are gradually receiving this functionality. Additionally, YouTube Music Premium subscribers will only be able to access podcasts as audio-only and without advertisements.

we’re slowly rolling out this feature to all listeners in the US. also, podcasts on YouTube Music are available as audio only and will contain no ads for YouTube Music Premium members. we’re here if you need anything else
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07:25 pm (IST): According to recent reports (1,2), Google will be discontinuing the Google Podcasts service sometime in 2024.

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