The Surge of Vocal Social Networks

NEWS | March 18, 2021

Following the written word and photographs, audio is the next hot digital trend. From Clubhouse to Spaces, new platforms are reminding us of the art of conversation.

Social networks have the wind in their sails these days. With France's public health restrictions admittedly limiting the possibilities for face-to-face interaction, apps like Clubhouse, Discord, Spaces, Breaker, Rodeo, Cappuccino and Spoon are finding ways to palliate the void by creating new spaces for discussion: in these 2.0 meet-ups, the voice sheds its borders.

First launched in March 2020 in order to provide a conversation space for Silicon Valley investors during lockdown, the exclusive social network Clubhouse has become a reference in the field. "Our objective was to create a more human social experience — where, instead of posting photos, people could get together and talk," wrote founders Paul Davison and Rohan Seth on their blog. With this app, 6 million active users can debate various subjects in virtual rooms where people chat, directly and out-loud. Among its select members are Oprah Winfrey, Drake, and Elon Musk. Today, Clubhouse is valued at a billion dollars.

Is audio the new social media El Dorado? In January, Twitter bought the social podcast application Breaker in order to link it with its upcoming Spaces, which allows users to open and join digital chatrooms. On Discord and Chalk, it's also possible to create vocal rooms, whereas Rodeo offers the possibility of getting together with friends, all while expanding social circles. Imagined as benevolent safe-spaces, more difficult for trolls to access, these new social networks could also revolutionize dating. Such is the case on Cappuccino, where users can chat with someone from their social circle during a 24-hour window before deciding if they want to unlock their conversation to view their partner's information and profile photo. Whatever the case may be, a host of promising new options is on the docket.