The rise of podcasts (and the admirable survival of radio) demonstrated a few years ago that video was not essential for users to show interest in content. At the same time, streaming platforms like Twitch have placed naturalness and spontaneous interactions above pre-made content. The combination of both, logically, should give birth to a product in the form of an anonymous and invisible meeting room , only audible. A virtual place to meet those interested in a certain subject, more or less superficial, and where to choose, in addition, whether to have a voice or attend as a listener. The presentations do not go out of style; the impromptu coffees between friends, either. All of this is Clubhouse, the new streaming audio social network that is grabbing the attention of internet users. Voice, and nothing else. No texts, no images with filters, or emoticons.
Some may joke with the phrase ‘ millennials discover the telephone’. But is it that simple? How does Clubhouse work? This social network consists of virtual audio ‘rooms’ that users can create to have a conversation, give a presentation or debate live, so that the different users who join each room can enter to ask the organizer for a voice, or good to sit down merely to listen. Thus, there are two levels of participation: the stage , in which the organizers and participants are located; and the stall , where the listeners are.
Tell jokes, give advice on minimalism, teach classes, talk about political philosophy, or even spread science; The themes are unlimited, as well as the concerns of the users. The social network meets the needs of an audience thirsty for knowledge, which spends more and more time at home, and which combines other activities with active listening, and even participation, in various conversations in different areas. In addition, it reveals a trend that may be surprising to some: the voice over the images; but, above all, the naturalness over the prefabricated.
Disadvantages? This social network is still in its beta phase, and is only available for iOS users , although it is expected that in the coming months it can also be purchased for Android.
Even with these limitations, and despite having been launched just a few months ago, the network is already very popular. As the Hypertext website collects, in January 2021, Clubhouse reached two million users, according to statements by the founder, Paul Davison. In addition, he clarified that its market value is already around one billion dollars.
How to use Clubhouse?
In addition to needing an iOS device, it is also essential to receive an invitation , which is perceived as another inconvenience for many, and gives the social network an exclusive component. Each new user has two invitations to use, as well as having the possibility of unlocking others as they use the different functions of the application.
Once inside it, we can create our profile and start creating our streaming audio rooms, in addition to conducting searches on our interests to be able to enter rooms as listeners or as participants.
The future of Clubhouse
Although it is true that other streaming platforms include video, which a priori could make Clubhouse pale, it should be noted that the component of invisibility or enjoying a certain anonymity – together with the possibility of establishing more fluid conversations with the organizer than in the typical live video chats – it could make this new social network a great new trend and a good option for content creators to interact with their audience.
Some time ago we analyzed how youtubers were going to Twitch due to the advantages it offered, both in terms of fast subscription and donation possibilities, as well as its spontaneous and young nature, as well as in protest of the penalizing algorithm changes and tendency to censorship from YouTube.
Few can predict for now what level of success Clubhouse holds as a social network. The market (user demand) decides.
The ‘law of the internet’, like that of nature, is imposed. And he usually does it relentlessly.
