Google Podcasts is undergoing a phased discontinuation in 2024, starting with the United States market. Announced in September 2023, this strategic decision by Google aims to consolidate its podcasting services within YouTube Music. As of April 2, 2024, US listeners will no longer have access to Google Podcasts, while US podcasters' access to Google Podcasts Manager will end on July 29, 2024, with migration to YouTube Music encouraged. However, timelines for the discontinuation in other global markets remain unspecified. This guide will help you submit your podcast to Google Podcasts, with the caveat that its availability may vary depending on your geographic location. Given the ongoing sunsetting, you may consider submitting to YouTube instead.
Before You Start - Preparing
To submit to Google Podcasts you will need to have:
Note, the one episode must be published at the time of submission, it cannot be scheduled to be published after submission
Access to your Zencastr account and RSS Feed
Access to the email associated with your podcast
1. Submit RSS Feed to Google Podcasts
Open Google Podcasts Manager.
Click Start Now.
Paste your Zencastr RSS Feed in the “Enter a Podcast Feed URL” field.
Click Next Step.
Review your podcast details in the ‘Confirm your selection’ section.
Click Next Step.
2. Verify Ownership
Next, you will verify ownership of the podcast in one of two ways.
If your podcast email matches the Google account you are signed into, verification is automatic.
If your podcast email does not match the Google account you are signed into:
Click Send Code in the ‘Send Verification Code’ section.
Open your email client (e.g. Gmail, Outlook).
Copy the code in the 'Verify Ownership of Your Podcast” email.
Paste the code in the ‘Enter Code’ field.
3. Submit
Click Submit in the Verify Ownership section.
What happens next: Google indexes your podcast. They have not stated how long it takes, but it usually takes a few days to a week. Once indexed, it will automatically be listed on their apps.