Twitter launches Spaces, its Clubhouse-like service, in private beta on iOS, limited to select individuals, largely from under-represented backgrounds

Last month, Twitter announced it would soon begin testing a new social experience on its platforms involving audio-only chat rooms …

TechCrunch 2020-12-18 Sarah Perez

Context & Ripple Effects

After announcing an audio experiment in November, Twitter is putting Spaces into private beta on iOS — a deliberately narrow start limited to select individuals, largely from under-represented backgrounds, rather than the invite-scarcity model Clubhouse used to build its cachet. The choice of beta cohort matters: Twitter is seeding the feature with voices its existing platform has historically underserved, using its own distribution to differentiate from the standalone app it is chasing.

The beta is the first step in a fast rollout arc: Android users gain talk access within months, and by mid-2021 Twitter opens Spaces to anyone with 600+ followers while planning Ticketed Spaces — turning a closed test into a broadly available feature with a monetization path.

First-order effects

Clubhouse's core draw — access to conversations unavailable elsewhere — is directly challenged: Twitter's existing follow graph means beta hosts arrive with a built-in audience Clubhouse users had to assemble from scratch.
The select iOS beta cohort gets early shaping power over a feature Twitter has already signaled it will push platform-wide.

Second-order effects

Clubhouse faces pressure to convert its exclusivity into durable value before Twitter's scale advantage compounds — analysts already judged Spaces well positioned as an intuitive, logical fit for Twitter's app.
Twitter's own product roadmap reorganizes around audio: within months the company makes Spaces the center tab in its main navigation for beta testers, a structural commitment that forces every other Twitter surface to compete for placement.

Third-order effects

If the pattern holds, live audio stops being a standalone app category and becomes a table-stakes feature inside existing social platforms — with Clubhouse's fate hinging on whether community and moderation quality can outweigh distribution.
Monetization features like Ticketed Spaces point toward creator revenue becoming the battleground for live audio, shifting platform competition from user growth to host retention.

The trend: Live audio is being absorbed from standalone apps into incumbent social platforms, with Twitter's follow graph and rollout cadence turning Spaces from an experiment into a core navigation surface.

Discussion

@twitterspaces Spaces on x
aye we're live! what up y'all, we're the team behind Spaces—a small experiment focused on the intimacy of the human voice🧵
@twitterspaces Spaces on x
the human voice can bring a layer of connectivity to twitter through emotion, nuance and empathy often lost in text. we see this with voice tweets & voice dms. sometimes 280 isn't enough, and voice gives people another way to join the conversation.
@twitterspaces Spaces on x
our new experiment brings people together to connect directly in an intimate, conversational Space. we imagine the best Spaces to feel like a well hosted dinner party. y'all rolling your eyes, we know. but stay with us!
@kayvz Kayvon Beykpour on x
starting today, we're rolling out an early beta of a new conversational space that lets people talk together (live, with their voice!) on Twitter. only a small group can *start* a space for now (anybody can join), but we'll expand the group of folks who can use this over time. ht…
@twitterspaces Spaces on x
we are giving Spaces to a very small feedback group. people in the group will be able to create Spaces for their followers and other people on twitter to join. they'll have full control over who can/cannot speak in their space.
@twitterspaces Spaces on x
other features we're testing: - reactions similar to hand gestures - a very early version of live transcriptions - reporting & blocking - sharing Tweets in spaces
@blowdart Barry Dorrans on x
Twitters push to remove nazis and people who threaten violence continues with the same speed it always has. https://twitter.com/...
@carnage4life Dare Obasanjo on x
Twitter product team hitting send on all of their product features on the last week before Xmas • Spaces, Clubhouse competitor • Special accounts for bots • Memorial accounts • Funny tweets topic takes into account your sense of humor 👏👏👏 https://www.techmeme.com/...
@exavierpope @exavierpope on x
Twitter's version of Clubhouse is on its way https://twitter.com/...
@adamantxyves Honeyves on x
I'll use it too since I can't get on Clubhouse. https://twitter.com/...
@flytip Richard Ting on x
Sooo good. I was in @TwitterSpaces earlier tonight. The audio quality was tight. Can't wait to see how it evolves. https://twitter.com/...
@db Himbo Depot on x
I can see Spaces becoming an app feature like Periscope. Twitter already has voice notes so this isn't a stretch. I'm really excited for this. I wouldn't be surprised if Facebook releases a clone of this. https://twitter.com/...
@karnythia @karnythia on x
I am going to use this shamelessly all winter break. https://twitter.com/...
@luca Luca Hammer on x
Twitters collaborative audio live streams. I don't know why they frame it as a dinner party in the introduction. Let me listen to things that happen all over the globe. Give people a voice who weren't heard in the past. Allow journalists to talk about what they couldn't send. htt…
@terronk Lee Edwards on x
Actually really excited about this. https://twitter.com/...
@thekenyeung Ken Yeung on x
Remember how Twitter did Meerkat when it went into the live video streaming space? Any chance it'll happen to Clubhouse? https://techcrunch.com/...
@kirstinestewart Kirstine Stewart on x
Hello Clubhouse 2.0 ... https://twitter.com/...
@mattnavarra Matt Navarra on x
Twitter launches Audio ‘Spaces’ feature in beta https://techcrunch.com/...
@juliaalonzo_ Julia Alonzo on x
great work twitter you invented the phone call https://twitter.com/...
@socofthesacred Samuel Perry on x
As an introvert, I'll take the hardest of passes here. https://twitter.com/...
@twittersupport @twittersupport on x
Thank you for sharing feedback on our verification policy. You helped shape the version that we're sharing today. Check out the specifics of the new policy and how you can apply for verification next year: https://blog.twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/.…
@mattnavarra Matt Navarra on x
Twitter is developing new account labels to highlight different account types starting with: - automated / bot accounts - memorialised accounts https://blog.twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@twittercomms @twittercomms on x
Thanks for your feedback on verification. We're sharing our new policy, information about how to apply for verification in 2021, and other ways we're working to help people understand who they're talking with on Twitter. Learn more: https://blog.twitter.com/... https://twitter.co…
@kurtbardella Kurt Bardella on x
if they don't remove @realDonaldTrump's blue check-mark, then this policy is 100% b.s. https://twitter.com/...
@canterrain Josh Hendrickson on x
“We'll begin enforcing this policy on January 20, 2021, which is also when we'll begin automatically removing the verified badge from inactive and incomplete accounts.” Ah, an entirely random date that was likely chosen by throwing darts at a calendar. Yep. Nothing to see here. h…
@godisrivera @godisrivera on x
Thank ya'll for the policy feedback! Public applications for verification will re-open early next year 🙌🏽 https://twitter.com/...
@markman23 Mark Julio on x
Twitter just shared more details on verification for 2021 and details behind the meeting process / decision. You will be able to apply again starting in January. https://twitter.com/...
@mayakaczorowski Maya Kaczorowski on x
Are you seriously putting the burden for notoriety on Wikipedia? A for profit company relying on a non profit encyclopedia who doesn't want your spam? Oh, and it's not we don't know that women or other minorities are well represented in Wikipedia articles https://twitter.com/...
@alishalmao @alishalmao on x
So many accounts need verifying - CDCUpdate, IntelCallofDuty, the all casters, TacticalRab, Easy Mac, just everyone 🥺 https://twitter.com/...
@oliverdarcy Oliver Darcy on x
Twitter says that under its new verification policy it may “remove verification from accounts that are found to be in severe or repeated violation of the Twitter Rules...” https://blog.twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@charliehannema Charlie Hannema on x
So Twitter is launching a new verification policy that starts January 21. I feel like there's something else going on around then but I just can't put my finger on it. 🤔 https://twitter.com/...
@ketanj0 Ketan Joshi on x
Am I a notable account? Are you noting me? https://blog.twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@ketanj0 Ketan Joshi on x
Honestly I think it'd be fun to make all scientists and academics identify as activists or organisers, on Twitter's verification system. Just leave it like that, Twitter https://blog.twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@hodgesmr Matt Hodges on x
👀 > Under our policy, we may also remove verification from accounts that are found to be in severe or repeated violation of the Twitter Rules. > We'll begin enforcing this policy on January 20, 2021 https://twitter.com/...
@mattnavarra Matt Navarra on x
Twitter has expanded its verification policy to include ‘digital content creators’ https://blog.twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@kerrymflynn @kerrymflynn on x
Good news: Memorial Accounts coming next year https://twitter.com/...
@mattnavarra Matt Navarra on x
Twitter lunches it's new verification policy Will start enforcing it from Jan 20, 2021 It will also start removing verified badges from inactive and incomplete accounts https://blog.twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@twittercomms @twittercomms on x
“In the heat of the moment, people can forget there's another human behind a Twitter account. By showing what we have in common, we hope to remind people of what connects us as a starting point.” 🤝 https://twitter.com/...
@carnage4life Dare Obasanjo on x
Twitter is trying to reduce toxic replies by showing your mutuals & shared topics. I don't see how shared topics helps (we both like memes, so what?) but interesting if having mutual follows or followers makes a difference. Lots of bold experiments now. https://mashable.com/... h…
@bigblackjacobin Edward Ongweso Jr on x
I thought y'all were doing a bit when you kept talking about “humanization prompts” https://twitter.com/...
@green_footballs Charles Johnson on x
Ever get the feeling you're an unwiling guinea pig in a massive social engineering experiment run by idiots? https://twitter.com/...
@jmorse_ Jack Morse on x
This... is actually kind of an interesting experiment? https://twitter.com/...
@lolgop @lolgop on x
Looking forward to Twitter reminding me that both @marcorubio and I spent 2016 calling Donald Trump a hellacious con man. https://twitter.com/...
@yashar Yashar Ali on x
I love the things in common prompt in the screenshot below. I imagine one day I'll get a prompt and it'll say “You and Maria both follow elephant accounts.” or “You and Josh both follow Liam Hemsworth and Sean Cody.” https://twitter.com/...
@tonyromm Tony Romm on x
twitter's most popular interest tag is about to be “thrist” https://twitter.com/...
@tha_rami Rami Ismail on x
Really excited to finally learn both me and the person wishing me a violent death because I said accessibility considerations for Dark Souls both like “video games” https://mashable.com/...
@brandyzadrozny Brandy Zadrozny on x
I really like how Twitter tries things that are ... kinda weird? ... Like a lot doesn't work but they are so much more willing to test out things in furtherance of making the platform a nicer place to be. https://twitter.com/...
@jolingkent Jo Ling Kent on x
Love this idea - makes all of us a little more human... maybe even the trolls and bots too 😜 https://twitter.com/...
@hunterwalk @hunterwalk on x
Yes! Facebook should be doing this as well. By helping people recognize their simarities, we can build empathy & shared connection, even when we might disagree. This won't stop asshole trolls but helps more of us stay human & kind online https://twitter.com/...
@twittersupport @twittersupport on x
After learning from this product experience, we're sharing an update: today Retweet functionality will be returning to the way it was before. Here's what we saw while we prompted Quote Tweets (1/4): https://twitter.com/...
@twittersupport @twittersupport on x
Our goal with prompting QTs (instead of Retweets) was to encourage more thoughtful amplification. We don't believe that this happened, in practice. The use of Quote Tweets increased, but 45% of them included single-word affirmations and 70% had less than 25 characters. (2/4)
@unseven Glauber Wilds on x
i wonder how many people didn't know you could normal retweet by leaving the quote space blank https://twitter.com/...
@carolinesinders Caroline Sinders on x
I'm glad twitter is being “open” (in quotes for sarcasm bx this is the bare bare minimum) about this process. They tried something, it failed, and are interested in iterating. Cool- let's improve features for harassment mitigation (more robust reporting + better privacy filters) …
@_hartsick Christa Hartsock on x
isn't the end result of “more thoughtful amplification” sometimes less amplification? tech platforms are going to have to deal with the fact that to be more intentional folks are gonna post less https://twitter.com/...
@apenwarr @apenwarr on x
Ah yes, the feature that we hoped would make people more thoughtful about when they retweet things caused people to retweet fewer things. Whoops! https://twitter.com/...
@freeblackgirl Evette Dionne on x
Twitter never implements the ideas their users request (for reasons I am sure “good")—and then the company is always surprised when their experiments don't pan out in the way their execs expect them to. A joke if I have ever known one. https://twitter.com/...
@casey Casey Neistat on x
i appreciate this transparency from @Twitter https://twitter.com/...
@isabellaturch Isabella Turchetta on x
We also know that humor ranges, so we'll show you a lot of different Tweets starting out. Let us know what you like by liking/RTing the ones you enjoy, and selecting Not Interested on Tweets you don't. We'll then show you more Tweets that match what you like.
@lanceulanoff Lance Ulanoff on x
I will find my own funny, thank you very much https://www.engadget.com/...
@jtlol @jtlol on x
Or you could leave me alone https://twitter.com/...
@joshuaogundu Josh on x
Whoever is leading product at Twitter now is making sure they ship https://twitter.com/...
@willoremus Will Oremus on x
I wonder if Twitter's AI predicted that I would find it funny that a company that can't tell who's a Nazi or a pornbot claims to have solved humor https://twitter.com/...
@db Himbo Depot on x
This is likely just the beginning. Imagine this rolled out to any category you can think of. The future is now. https://twitter.com/...
@hradzka David Hines on x
“But I don't understand. How did Twitter suddenly start boosting racist shitposters?” “Uh, well —” https://twitter.com/...
@masonpelt Mason Pelt on x
I only retweet things ironically. https://twitter.com/...
@isabellaturch Isabella Turchetta on x
To power Topics like Funny Tweets, we need to understand the emotions behind the Tweets. So for the first time, we're using an ML model that understands nuanced emotions by learning from Emojis to get a broader understanding of what people think is funny.
@isabellaturch Isabella Turchetta on x
Screenshots of funny Tweets are shared online all the time, and when people come to Twitter to get in on the fun, these Tweets should be easy for them to find. So, we launched Funny Tweets so you can catch the highlights of what people are laughing at.
@stevekovach Steve Kovach on x
Good news for me and my hilarious tweets https://twitter.com/...
@caseynewton Casey Newton on x
Twitter has ]announced more product launches and changes today than it did in all of 2014. https://twitter.com/...

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