By Julia Boorstin, CNBC •
Updated 1 hour ago
Witthaya Prasongsin | Moment | Getty Images
Podcast downloads were declining when the pandemic began, but audio has boomed in the past year, with social media start-ups Clubhouse and Discord leading a new generation.
Live conversation is the key to the new social experience being shaped on internet platforms.
Microsoft reportedly offered $10 billion for Discord, Spotify acquired Clubhouse rival Betty Labs, and Facebook and Twitter are both piloting live audio products.
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When pandemic lockdowns swept the country in Spring 2020, there were concerns that the booming podcast business might take a pause the dramatic decline in people commuting meant fewer people listening on the go. Podcast downloads did initially decline, 10% between February 25 and March 25, but instead of that decline accelerating, digital audio rebounded
Your Facebook menu will be getting a lot more crowded. New audio tools and monetization for creators lamely called Soundbites will be available soon through Facebook and Messenger.
Like the copycats social media platforms Facebook and Twitter are known to be, (first Snapchat-style stories, then “reels” mimicking TikTok) Facebook ripped some notes from audio room platforms like the invite-only chat app Clubhouse. These kinds of audio rooms emphasize talking with others over posting on feeds, which means more opportunities to hear trash takes live. Twitter did something like this with their own Clubhouse copy, Twitter Spaces.
Creators will also be able to monetize their audio content, which could be an outlet for local music artists when the option becomes available. According to Facebook, the new audio features will allow monetization for creators from supporters through donations, subscriptions or one-time payments.
Details 26 April 2021
Just last week, Facebook said it plans to roll out Live Audio Rooms on Facebook and Messenger, in what seems like a move to rival Clubhouse. In a blog post, the tech giant said that Live Audio Rooms will be made available to public figures to host conversations with other public figures, creating a forum for discussion without the pressure of being on camera. This feature will also be made available on Messenger so users can hang out with their friends. When Live Audio Rooms launches, fans will be able to support their favourite creators and public figures through Stars or donate to causes they care about. There will also be other monetisation models soon after launch, such as the ability to charge for access to a Live Audio Room through a single purchase or a subscription.
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