diff --git a/core-blocks/text-columns/index.js b/core-blocks/text-columns/index.js
index 1d6940d8bf36fb..fc8245daa798e7 100644
--- a/core-blocks/text-columns/index.js
+++ b/core-blocks/text-columns/index.js
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import {
 	InspectorControls,
 	RichText,
 } from '@wordpress/editor';
+import deprecated from '@wordpress/deprecated';
 
 /**
  * Internal dependencies
@@ -25,6 +26,11 @@ import './editor.scss';
 export const name = 'core/text-columns';
 
 export const settings = {
+	// Disable insertion as this block is deprecated and ultimately replaced by the Columns block.
+	supports: {
+		inserter: false,
+	},
+
 	title: __( 'Text Columns' ),
 
 	description: __( 'Add text, and display it in two or more columns. Like a newspaper! This block is experimental.' ),
@@ -64,6 +70,11 @@ export const settings = {
 	edit: ( ( { attributes, setAttributes, className } ) => {
 		const { width, content, columns } = attributes;
 
+		deprecated( 'The Text Columns block', {
+			alternative: 'the Columns block',
+			plugin: 'Gutenberg',
+		} );
+
 		return (
 			<Fragment>
 				<BlockControls>
diff --git a/core-blocks/text-columns/test/index.js b/core-blocks/text-columns/test/index.js
index 9c9dda8ee8ccea..61f0796e30ce8e 100644
--- a/core-blocks/text-columns/test/index.js
+++ b/core-blocks/text-columns/test/index.js
@@ -9,5 +9,8 @@ describe( 'core/text-columns', () => {
 		const wrapper = blockEditRender( name, settings );
 
 		expect( wrapper ).toMatchSnapshot();
+		expect( console ).toHaveWarnedWith(
+			'The Text Columns block is deprecated and will be removed. Please use the Columns block instead.'
+		);
 	} );
 } );
diff --git a/docs/reference/deprecated.md b/docs/reference/deprecated.md
index 40147750761bd1..7a71022cc3f537 100644
--- a/docs/reference/deprecated.md
+++ b/docs/reference/deprecated.md
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ Gutenberg's deprecation policy is intended to support backwards-compatibility fo
  - All references to a block's `uid` have been replaced with equivalent props and selectors for `clientId`.
  - The `wp.editor.MediaPlaceholder` component `onSelectUrl` prop has been renamed to `onSelectURL`.
  - The `wp.editor.UrlInput` component has been renamed to `wp.editor.URLInput`.
+ - The Text Columns block has been removed. Please use the Columns block instead.
 
 ## 3.4.0