Google Podcasts is being discontinued in favor of YouTube Music, following the trend of various Google apps going through a cycle of being launched, updated, forgotten, replaced, and ultimately shut down. Despite being more popular, YouTube lacks the podcast-specific features and focus that Google Podcasts provided. Google missed an opportunity to revolutionize podcast discovery and integration with its services. The move to YouTube Music is primarily a money-driven decision, as video ads generate more revenue for Google than audio ads. Google’s history of unsuccessful product launches and constant distractions raise doubts about the longevity of YouTube Music as a podcast platform. It is recommended to explore alternative podcast apps outside of Google’s unreliable ecosystem.
https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/2/24118873/google-podcasts-shutdown-graveyard