Reddit has released a preview of the audio chat feature it has been developing to compete with Clubhouse. Reddit Talk will allow users to listen to and engage in conversations within the platform's communities, or 'subreddits.' Reddit says it expects the live audio talk format to be more useful and more fun at times than its existing mediums.
It had been rumored that Reddit was developing an audio chat feature and so it has proved to be. It is, of course, by no means the only platform to be taking on Clubhouse in this way. The likes of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and LinkedIn, among others, have all launched or are working on their own versions. There's no reason these platforms couldn't have developed audio offerings before now, but it seems that it took Clubhouse to define the format and show that it could be a success in order for them all to get on board.
Reddit's preview shows a colorful and fun-looking take on the concept, with its cartoonish user icons taking center stage. Reddit says the platform can be used however communities think best but makes the suggestions of "Q&As, AMAs, lectures, sports-radio-style discussions, community feedback sessions, or simply to give community members a place to hang out." It's available for users on iOS and Android to listen in, with community moderators able to sign up now for a waitlist to try the feature. For the time being, only moderators will be able to begin chats within subreddits but further down the line it sounds as though anyone will be able to begin chats.
How Reddit Talk Works
Reddit explains that, once a chat is live, any user can join the room, listen in, and raise their hand to speak. This is much the same as Clubhouse and other takes on the concept. In addition, users can react with emojis. Moderators can choose when or whether to let others speak. Other moderation options include being able to invite, mute, and remove speakers, as well removing guests from the room and blocking them from re-entering if necessary.
In addition to testing ways for communities to personalize Reddit talk through emojis, background colors, and avatar appearances, Reddit says it is also looking at introducing features to support AMAs and other types of discussion. Reddit's communities are its big strength and look very well suited to this sort of addition, so further tailoring the experience to accommodate them makes sense.
Source: Reddit