Facebook has announced that its users will be able to "listen to podcasts" "live through the app" over the coming months. The giant social network also intends to add tools for creating audio content and introduce short audio formats, particularly "live audio rooms," inspired by the successful platform "Clubhouse," which allows users to listen to or participate in audio discussions.
**Podcasts**
Facebook's mobile app manager, Fidji Simo, stated that "more than 170 million people are connected to hundreds of thousands of Facebook pages through podcasts, and over 35 million are members of podcast fan groups, but until now, users still had to leave Facebook to listen to episodes." In the United States, podcast enthusiasts primarily use "Spotify," followed by dedicated apps from "Apple" and "Google," then the "Pandora" platform, program websites, and the "Audible" audiobook app from "Amazon," according to a survey conducted by "eMarketer" last year.
**Boosting Revenue and Attracting Users**
Listening to podcasts directly on Facebook enhances the network's array of related services (meeting forums, shopping services, entertainment, etc.) to keep users engaged longer, thereby boosting its advertising revenue. Following the influence of the "Zoom" video webinar service and then "Clubhouse," Facebook has expanded its live audio and video broadcasting capabilities on its network and also on "Instagram."
**Live Audio Rooms**
Facebook indicated that it will test a feature named "Live Audio Rooms" across tens of millions of active groups on the platform. This feature is expected to be available to all users by summer. Influencers (like actors and activists) and amateurs will be able to use new tools to create audio content, particularly to record audio clips ("soundbites"), which will undergo testing in the coming months. This may involve publishing poems, short stories, or comedic segments.
In the audio rooms, content creators will have access to monetization options, including asking for donations or subscription models. The ability to generate revenue for authors or presenters is one of the major challenges in the sector.
**Integration Between Facebook and Spotify**
The American network is also working with "Spotify" to improve the integration of the Swedish giant's music streaming services on Facebook. A spokesperson for Facebook explained that "this integration specifically relates to sharing and listening to music, but you can also share and listen to podcasts."
