MC ExpertEye | Are users ready to move into the next generation of social media thanks to Clubhouse?

Social networks like clubhouse are readily finding acceptance specially among the like-minded people who find other social mediums like Instagram quite casual. Being an audio-only platform extends the experience of the offline world is an added benefit. I feel such platforms will find a niche audience who would like to speak their minds on a cross-section of topics from business to Black Lives Matter.

Deepak Abbot, co-founder, Indiagold
Audio is an extremely natural form of communication for most of us so in theory, Clubhouse should drive deeper engagement. Having said, it requires time commitment and an ability to be spontaneous unlike text platforms where one can pause and reply. On the positive side, it doesn't allow anonymity hence it may eliminate any personal attacks or extreme negative views that we are all subjected to in other social platforms. It remains to be seen how the quality of conversation evolves once it is widely available across OS.

Snehanshu Gandhi, co-founder, Kaagaz Scanner

More meaningful discussions always happen in smaller, close-knit groups. As everyone is getting a social media overload of sorts with being bombarded with so much information, limited and exclusive social groups would definitely be the next generation of social media. Will it be a live audio format like Clubhouse or some other format will have to be seen. The audio format has great potential as it doesn't require user to be 100 percent attentive to it (video or text requires that) but live audio format like Clubhouse has its limitations.

I believe we are all set for the next wave of social media networks which are based on more hyperlocal interactions and communities. One such Indian example is Leher app; they are trying to build an Indian Clubhouse but in video. Even at STAGE, now that we have properly solved for the consumption of content for the users, the next phase of products will be around building a layer of community on the top of consumption.

Vikram Singh Meena, founder, Tech Eagle Innovations

The future of social interaction is voice. To see how future innovation might progress, it’s helpful to survey the current social-audio product landscape in abstract and break down some of the defining attributes. There are many existing audio use cases that can be categorised in various different ways. The social audio taxonomy has a wide opportunity for more and more audio-only platforms to adopt, the innovation will revolve around interactivity. Consumers are already using a part of the next generation social media in form of podcasts, audio storytelling.

However, podcasting scratches the surface, in that it’s a network of user-generated creators and listeners, but there’s ample opportunity to go deeper. An app like Clubhouse provides yet another example. The experience is somewhere between a conference call, a podcast, and a live talk show. Although the content is ephemeral, like a phone call, it’s also a horizontal and public platform, which is more like live interaction for specific interest groups.