We’ve previously written about Clubhouse, the audio-only app that exploded on to the scene just over two years ago. This was at a time when lockdown meant many of us were looking for new ways of connecting with others online. At one point everyone was talking about it. If it’s passed you by, audio-only means just that. There was originally literally nothing to see or read. Although there’s now an optional text-chat feature so that users can type out their responses.
Additionally, nothing is ever saved, although plans were afoot to change that, so it’s primarily about real-time conversations and networking. Previously invitation and iOS-only, today anyone can download it and create an account on Android as well as iOS devices. Clubhouse has also had some pretty high-profile participants to date, from Elon Musk to Oprah Winfrey.
While the app restricts numbers of those allowed to take part in any single chat, there is no limit to those who just want to tune in. And up to 5,000 participants can join a room. Just raise your hand if you want to make a point; private or locked rooms are also available.
What’s New On Clubhouse?
Although interest is perhaps no longer quite at its mid-2021 peak (there were 8.7m global users by June 2021 following the Android release on Google Play), user numbers have been slowly climbing again. So Clubhouse is clearly not going anywhere anytime soon.
The app is working to sustain listener numbers by adding new features, including the following:
- A game called Wild Cards – an ice-breaker involving a set of questions which people ask each other to get to know one another better.
- Feature called ‘dark mode’, in which the background is a velvety black to be kinder on eyes during early-hours use, while extending battery life.
- A protected-profile setting allowed users to make their full profile accessible only to approved followers.
- Another idea being tested at the time of writing is a ‘wave bar’. It shows which of your contacts are online, in an overlap with similar features on social media competitors Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. (Another rival is Twitter Spaces, the microblogging platform’s audio chatroom feature, which has a ready-made audience of many millions of active, regular users.)
- What’s more, Clubhouse users can now send direct payments to those who create on the platform in the form of tipping, tickets or subscriptions. Payers cover processing fees, meaning every penny reaches the audio creator.
- In January 2022, the platform added support for web listening.
Listener Stats
According to AppAnnie, which provides analytics data, Clubhouse mushroomed from more than 3.5m global downloads to 8.1m between February 1 and 16 2021 – a period of just two weeks, after a number of high-profile influencers including Kanye West and Mark Zuckerberg adopted the platform.
By the end of 2021, other stats showed that the app now has more than 28m downloads worldwide. (Source: Influencer Marketing Hub.)
It’s true that figures are no longer at their lockdown peak as the world continues to emerge from the pandemic. We think that Clubhouse has a great potential for content creators. Harness its potential for reaching fresh audiences via audio content. We can help you discuss how to make it work for you by adding voice overs, jingles and more to enhance the listener experience.
