This will boost TOPICS for g, and strengthen their "video" on the web, but will it help the content makers? Time will tell.

This is great for podcasters, and good for people searching for podcasts.

I was looking at the opportunities for monetisation, and if it drives traffic, it's got to be good in itself.

and if it drives traffic, it's got to be good in itself.

My thought as well. Proof is in the pudding. IF ... :)

It is laughable to see some people appreciating this new Google implant to the search. Be prepared for these though:

1. Featured podcasts (handpicked by the almighty AI - Google will once again put you to work to be qualified)

2. Sponsored podcasts (pay to play)

3. Listen to podcasts on search (I guess it will start as "preview" - we all know what happen next)

4. Podcasts will be a more pleasing alternative source of media for Google Home users. I won't be surprised if it is integrated into a special section on their Home devices sometime in the future. It will be easier for Google to gather, sort, analyze, and build an index of podcasts across the web with this new implementation. My thought is, they will use it as a leverage against their main competitor in this sect, Amazon.

These are all speculations of course, atleast for now, but I won't be shocked if any of these happen.

Google will not implement things that will not benefit them in the long run.

Am I the only one who feels the whole concept of podcasting has changed almost beyond recognition. I wonder if Google will truely limit this to genuine podcasts. It amazes how many people stream live on FB or youtube and refer to it as a podcast.

You can bet there are content marketers right now figuring out just how this can be used (abused?) to their advantage.

Mack.

I suppose a new battleground for some.

For others, another item to push the organic listings further down the SERPS

:-)