Twitter has added podcasts to its platform as part of its newly redesigned Twitter Spaces tab. The integration introduces personalised hubs for users within Spaces called "Stations".
The new features are live audio conversations users can tune into, across a range of categories such as news, sports and music. Users can also listen back to recordings that have already taken place, as well as podcast episodes.
“We know that some discussions need more than 280 characters,” Twitter wrote on its official blog.
Twitter said its algorithm would recommend podcasts and recordings based on their interests. Users can also use “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” reactions on podcasts to help tailor the recommendations that appear.
Additionally, all users can create their own station, choose a topic and category and invite co-hosts and guests to join a live conversation.
In June 2020, Twitter introduced voice tweets. The 140 seconds of audio that could be sent out with a written tweet aimed to add a “more human touch to the way we use Twitter".
However, much like the now deleted “Fleets”, a feature where users could upload text or videos that only lasted for 24 hours, voice tweets were not widely used.
The newly redesigned Twitter Space and Stations may have better luck than its audio predecessor, given its similarity to Clubhouse. The live voice-only social audio app, which now has more than 10 million users, grew in popularity during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, filling a space for users wanting to engage through a podcast-like format.
Twitter Spaces is still in its testing phase and visible only to a select English-speaking audience on iOS and Android. Twitter is encouraging users who have access to the new feature to share feedback on their experiences, to better the new audio integration before it is rolled out worldwide.
The top 10 most followed most-followed celebrities on Twitter — in pictures
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Former US president Barack Obama has the most-followed account on Twitter and is a prolific tweeter. AFP -
Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Bieber has the second most-followed account but has only posted once in 2022. He's prolific on Instagram, however. AFP -
US singer-songwriter Katy Perry comes in third and is active on Twitter, but not particularly prolific. AFP -
Rihanna has the fourth most-followed account, but has posted less than 10 times per month in 2022 so far. Getty Images via AFP -
Cristiano Ronaldo, who has the fifth most-followed account, keeps us updated several times a month, but is far more active on Instagram. AFP -
Taylor Swift, who has had a love-hate relationship with social media, has the sixth most-followed Twitter account and yet rarely uses the platform. Getty Images via AFP -
Lady Gaga has the seventh most-followed Twitter account and is fairly active, but uses Instagram a bit more. Getty Images via AFP -
Elon Musk, who has the eighth most-followed Twitter account, is the biggest individual shareholder in the parent company and its newest board member, and is among the most prolific users. AFP -
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi uses Twitter regularly, with several posts per day, and has the ninth most-followed account. AFP -
US comedienne Ellen DeGeneres keeps her 77.5 million followers updated several times per day. AFP
