Google Play Music was one of the leading music-streaming platforms that allowed users to stream and download their favorite songs and albums from its extensive library. The platform was launched in 2011 and quickly gained popularity among music lovers globally. However, the service was officially shut down on December 31, 2020, and users were given a deadline to transfer their music data to YouTube Music before it was erased.

The decision to shut down Google Play Music came as Google shifted its focus towards its new music streaming service, “YouTube Music.” Google announced the closure of Play Music in August 2020, citing that it needed to “create a seamless transition experience” for those who had already subscribed to the music platform.

One of the primary reasons for shutting down Google Play Music was that Google wanted to focus on its widely used video-sharing service, YouTube. Google has been investing heavily in YouTube over the years, and it is now one of the most popular and widely used streaming services worldwide. The closure of Google Play Music allowed Google to consolidate its music streaming services, music videos, and other original content under one roof.

YouTube Music was launched in 2015, but it was not a popular choice among music enthusiasts primarily because of its limited features and functionality. However, Google has been working on improving the app’s UI and enhancing its features to compete with other popular music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

One of the significant advantages of YouTube Music is that it allows users to view music videos, remixes, covers, and other original content in one place. YouTube also offers a seamless transition for users who want to switch from Play Music to YouTube Music. Users can transfer their Play Music library and playlists to YouTube Music and get a free trial for four months.