What is Clubhouse App [Everything to know about Clubhouse]

By Deepak Joshi | October 24, 2023 12:05 pm

Social media has transformed the way we communicate, connect, and consume content. Over the years, we've seen platforms rise to prominence, each offering a unique way to share and interact. While many platforms focus on visuals or text, a new entrant has emerged, emphasizing the power of voice, bringing a fresh perspective to the digital conversation landscape.

In this guide, we'll delve deep into this groundbreaking platform, exploring its origins, key features, and the impact it's making in the world of social media. Join us as we uncover the phenomenon that is Clubhouse.

Everything to know about the audio app - Clubhouse.

What is Clubhouse App?
Origins and Founders
Key Features of Clubhouse
The Invite System
Clubhouse on Different Platforms
Interacting on Clubhouse
Celebrities and Influencers on Clubhouse
Controversies and Criticisms

What is Clubhouse App?

Clubhouse is a fresh take on social media, launched in 2020, where voice is the main feature. Unlike other apps where you post pictures or write messages, on Clubhouse, you talk and listen. Imagine a big building full of open rooms. In each room, there's a different conversation happening. You can enter any room and listen. If you want, you can even join the talk.

It's like tuning into a live radio station, but with a twist: you can be both the listener and the speaker. The unique thing about Clubhouse is that nothing is recorded. Once a conversation ends, it's gone forever. This makes every chat special because you know it won't happen again in the same way.

People from all corners of the world are joining Clubhouse. They share stories, discuss hobbies, give expert advice, or simply chat about their day. It's a space where voices matter, and everyone has a chance to be heard.

Origins and Founders

Clubhouse, a unique voice-based app, was introduced to the world in 2020. The brains behind this innovative platform are Paul Davison and Rohan Seth. These two visionaries wanted to create a space on the internet that felt more personal and real. Instead of scrolling through photos or reading texts, they imagined a place where people could gather and have genuine conversations, just using their voices.

Their idea was simple yet powerful: transform the vast internet into a series of live, interactive radio channels. As they developed Clubhouse, it quickly gained attention. The app's charm lies in its simplicity and the feeling of being in a live, ongoing conversation.

Today, thanks to Paul and Rohan's vision, Clubhouse stands as a refreshing change in the world of social media. It's a reminder of the power of voice and the connections it can foster among people from all corners of the globe.

Key Features of Clubhouse App

Clubhouse is not like your usual social media app. It's built around voice. Here are its main features:

Rooms: Think of Clubhouse like a big house with many rooms. Each room has a different conversation going on. You can enter any room to listen. If you want, you can also start your own room and talk about anything you like.

Voice-Only: There are no videos, pictures, or text posts in Clubhouse. Everything is about voice. This means you can focus on what's being said without any distractions.

Live Conversations: All chats on Clubhouse are live. There's no way to replay them. This makes every conversation special because if you miss it, it's gone.

Open and Closed Rooms: You can make your room open for anyone to join, or closed so only certain people can enter. This gives you control over who you want to chat with.

Raise Hand Feature: If you're listening and want to speak, you can "raise your hand". The room's host can then let you join the conversation.

The Invite System

When Clubhouse first started, not everyone could just download and use it. It had something called an "invite system". This means if you wanted to join Clubhouse, someone who was already using the app had to invite you. It was like a special ticket to get inside.

This invite system made Clubhouse feel exclusive, like a private club. People were curious and wanted to be a part of it. It created a buzz because not everyone could get in easily.

But why did Clubhouse do this? Well, it helped them manage the number of users and ensure everything worked smoothly. Too many people joining at once could have caused problems.

Over time, as Clubhouse grew and improved, they changed this. Now, anyone can join without needing an invite. But the early days of the invite system played a big role in making Clubhouse popular. It showed that sometimes, making people wait can build excitement and interest.

Clubhouse on Different Platforms

Clubhouse began its journey on one platform: the iPhone. If you had an iPhone, you could use Clubhouse. But if you had any other phone, like an Android, you had to wait. This was because the creators of Clubhouse first made the app just for iPhone users.

Why did they do this? Making an app for one type of phone is simpler and quicker. It allowed Clubhouse to test their idea and make sure people liked it before expanding to other phones.

But as Clubhouse became more popular, many people with Android phones wanted to join in. They asked for an Android version of the app. Clubhouse listened. In 2021, they made Clubhouse available for Android users too.

Now, whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone, you can join the Clubhouse community. This move helped Clubhouse reach even more people around the world.

In simple words, Clubhouse started with just iPhone users. But as it grew, they expanded to Android phones too. Now, more people can enjoy the voice chats and discussions on Clubhouse, no matter what phone they have.

Interacting on Clubhouse App

Clubhouse is all about talking and listening. But how do you actually interact there? It's pretty straightforward.

When you open Clubhouse, you'll see "rooms". These are like chat groups where people are talking about different topics. You can enter any room just by tapping on it. Once inside, you're a listener. You can hear people talk, just like listening to a radio.

But what if you want to talk? There's a feature called "raise hand". Tap it, and the people leading the conversation will see you want to speak. If they allow, you can join in and share your thoughts.

There's also a way to start your own room. You decide the topic and can invite others to chat with you. It's like hosting your own radio show!

Remember, everything on Clubhouse is live. There's no replay. So, interactions are real and in the moment. It's a place to have genuine conversations with people from all over the world.

Celebrities and Influencers on Clubhouse

One thing that made many people curious about Clubhouse was the presence of celebrities and influencers. Big names from the world of music, movies, business, and more started popping up on Clubhouse. And this wasn't just about them talking; they were having real conversations with regular users!

Imagine logging into an app and suddenly finding yourself in a chat room with a famous movie star or a top business leader. That's what Clubhouse offered. It broke down the barriers between celebrities and fans. Instead of just watching or reading about them, you could actually hear their voice, ask them questions, and sometimes even chat with them directly.

This unique feature made Clubhouse stand out. It wasn't just another place to see photos or watch videos of famous people. It was a place to interact with them in real-time.

Clubhouse became a special spot where you could bump into your favorite celebrity, just by using your phone. It made the world of fame feel a little closer and more personal for many users.

Controversies and Criticisms

Like many popular platforms, Clubhouse has faced its share of challenges. As it grew, some users raised concerns about how the app was managed.

One big concern was about moderation. Because Clubhouse is live and voice-based, it's hard to control everything that's said. Some users felt that harmful or misleading information was being shared without any checks. There were also worries about bullying or negative behavior in some rooms.

Another criticism was about privacy. Some people were unsure about how Clubhouse stored or used their data. They wanted to know if their conversations were safe and private.

Clubhouse has worked to address these concerns. They've made changes to improve moderation and protect user data. But, like all new platforms, they're still learning and growing.

While Clubhouse offers a unique way to connect, it has also faced questions about safety and privacy. It's a reminder that all platforms, no matter how popular, need to listen to their users and keep improving.

Conclusion

In today's digital age, the way we connect and communicate is constantly evolving. New platforms emerge, offering fresh perspectives and reshaping our online experiences. While challenges are inevitable, they pave the way for growth and improvement. As we navigate this ever-changing landscape, it's essential to embrace innovation, understand its implications, and be open to the myriad ways it enhances our global conversations. The future of social media is bright, with endless possibilities awaiting exploration.

Deepak Joshi

Content Marketing Specialist at Appy Pie