Greenroom: The New Clubhouse?

Spotify Greenroom?

“Is it the new clubhouse?” “Is this the end for clubhouse?”

Less than 24 hours ago, on June 16th, Spotify formally launched greenroom: the direct competitor of the clubhouse.

After spending hours on the app and being part of a dozen conversations around “Clubhouse vs Greenroom” I gathered some interesting observations to share!

How is Greenroom different from Clubhouse?

• Gems

Gamification is definitely a big thing in tech right now and using the concepts of gems is pretty good. I feel it’s a perfect way to encourage users to stay on the platform, host more rooms, add more value and gain more gems.

Although the amount of gems people are giving each other for free — might render them useless, but I personally feel it’s going to help Spotify Greenroom gain the traction it’s hoping for.

• Brand Trust

Spotify has a loyal fan-following already with 365 million users in 2021. If there are users who haven’t started using other audio platforms like clubhouse and Twitter spaces; they might choose to start their audio-social race with Greenroom!

Spotify can leverage its connection to the existing audiences. With a better integration into the existing app, Spotify might be able to connect audiences to their favorite artists/creators when they are live and listen and interact with them via Greenroom.

• Chat Feature

Greenroom has a chat function that allows users to send messages, gifs, and URLs and even interact and have their say as an audience.

The chat feature is one thing that clubhouse users have been asking for relentlessly; I don’t think ch should go for it though and here are my reasons why -

1. It discourages you to speak; and introverts who have the option to rather chat, might not be able to use the audio platform to its full potential.
2. There were certain bugs — couldn’t keep up when there were a lot of chats
3. Not permanent; the only way to save chats is to take screenshots.

Bugs that I came across -

1. Was invited to speak but couldn’t see myself in the speaker panel nor could see the mic — couldn’t reply to people who addressed me.
2. If you leave a room as a speaker and come back, you’ll be part of the audience
3. Not as easy to hop into different rooms as CH.

My thoughts?

1. In long term, Clubhouse and Greenrooms are going to cater to different sets of audiences with greenroom more creator-oriented and clubhouse more influencer and community-oriented.
2. People have already adopted clubhouse as a platform to socialize with each other — personally and professionally; I guess it’s going to retain that crowd and people will use greenroom more to attend live concerts and live podcasts.
3. Both the platforms can of course learn from each other, but at the same time, they should retain their individuality.