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YouTube Music is getting the ability to add podcasts using an RSS feed URL. The new feature is rolling out to users on Android and the web. It comes before Google pulls the plug on its dedicated podcasts app, Google Podcasts. The app is shutting down next year.
Adding podcasts to YouTube Music is now a lot easier
Podcasts are growing in popularity. Studies have shown that both audience size and listening time are on the rise. However, Google still doesn’t see it worth maintaining a separate app for podcasts and is shutting down Google Podcasts next year. The plan is to fold podcasts into YouTube Music, positioning it as an all-things-audio platform. Competing music streaming services such as Spotify have been adding to their podcast portfolio too.
However, until recently, adding podcasts to YouTube Music was a pain. It required podcasters to upload a video version of each episode, something not everyone is willing to do. When announcing the demise of Google Podcasts, the company promised to simplify this by adding support for the traditional ability to upload shows via RSS feed. As spotted by Podnews, some users are now getting this feature.
This ability is available under the Library tab of YouTube Music. On the Android app, go to the Library tab and select the Podcasts filter in the top carousel. If the new feature is available for you, you will see a pill-shaped “+ Add Podcast” floating action button in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Tapping it brings up a sheet where you can “Browse top podcasts: Find podcasts on YouTube” or “Add podcast by RSS feed: Add private or public URL.”
Podcasts you add will appear alongside other podcasts on YouTube Music. They feature an RSS icon under the title to separate them from others. The podcast player also features this icon, while the show page notes that “This podcast was added via RSS feed, 9to5Google reports. Overall, it’s a fairly straightforward process that should help make the transition from Google Podcasts to YouTube Music a seamless experience.
Google may soon roll out the new feature widely
YouTube Music’s new ability to add podcasts via RSS feed doesn’t seem to be widely available yet. However, Google may soon roll it out to users globally. The company is already in the process of bringing YouTube Music podcasts to more international markets as it prepares to close Google Podcasts sometime in 2024. Google says users will be able to move their existing subscriptions to the new app via a “simple migration tool,” which should be available before the shutdown.
