YT Music is my new go to Podcast player | The case to make it your podcast app

Believe it or not but YouTube Music did not always have podcasts. As a matter of fact YT Music was not the home for music for Google. That was once Google Play Music but in December of 2020 YT Music took over the music duties for the company. In 2023 YT Music absorbed podcasts from Google Podcasts which brings us to where we are now. For the sake of time I am only going to mention the podcast function within the app/service.

What does YouTube Music offer?

YT Music is a real basic podcast player that has got the essentials right. The service offers podcasts that are available on the service and the option to add podcasts via an RSS feed. Podcasts can also be downloaded, playback speed can be adjusted, audio/video switching (YT Music podcasts only), sleep timer, trim silence (new), and background play without the need for a YT Music subscription. 

There is also library support to manage your collection of podcasts, a dedicated podcast section and search and recommendation for podcasts on YT Music. If you ask me YT Music's offering is good but it doesn't stand out from the rest and that's okay. I don't really feel like I am missing out on anything.

What do I like about YT Music?

What I do like is that YT Music works consistently and syncing of new podcasts being available to listen to whether they are from YT Music or via RSS are always there when released by the creator. Podcasts also sync from device to device. This feature is very handy as I frequently switch from my phone to my tablet and what I am listening to is always there. I also like that listeners can like and comment on podcasts from YT Music.

What I don't like about YT Music?

My biggest gripe about YT Music is that not all podcasts I listen to are available through the service so I have to rely on an RSS feed. That's not a deal breaker but you do miss out on not being able to like and comment on podcasts. Again, not a big deal but it is somewhat annoying. Come on content creators get it together.

Conclusion

With podcasts growing in popularity on YouTube it is imperative that YT Music is there to be the preferred app for users. I say this selfishly because over the years I have grown fond of YT Music and to have music and podcasts in one app is the dream. On a serious note, Google has the opportunity to really dominate this space (app/service) and I am curious to see what kind of player they want to be in the future.