What is Clubhouse and why is the audio chat app so popular?

Think of it as live podcasts. The invitation-only audio chat app thrives on the concept of FOMO – fear of missing out. If you are not online when a conversation happens, you miss it.

Clubhouse, the invitation-only audio chat app, exploded in popularity during the coronavirus pandemic when people could not get together in person – but now the once niche platform has far higher goals. Launched less than a year ago, Clubhouse – which recently encountered a censorship hiccup in China – is looking to establish itself as the standard-bearer for digital audio. The concept is simple: Once you are invited to join, you can start or listen to conversations in digital “rooms”, ranging from a major talk by someone famous to a chat within a small group.