'Insider SNS' Clubhouse, Now Accessible Without Invitation

Co-founder: "Participation Possible Without Invitation"
Seems to Change Closed Operation Method Amid Growth Slowdown

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The social networking service (SNS) app "Clubhouse," known as the so-called 'Insider (popular person)' app that allows communication only among those who have received invitations, appears to be changing its closed operational method.

On the 21st (local time), CNN reported that Clubhouse co-founders Paul Davidson and Rohan Seth said that from now on, all users will be able to join Clubhouse without an invitation.

This comes as the invitation or waitlist-based closed operation revealed fundamental limitations in expanding the user base, and with the emergence of competing platforms such as Twitter's "Spaces" and Facebook's "Live Audio Rooms," the growth rate has clearly slowed, raising questions about the very possibility of survival.

According to mobile app analytics firm Sensor Tower, Clubhouse's monthly iOS downloads peaked at 9.6 million in February and then sharply dropped to 719,000 in May. The total global cumulative installations through the Apple App Store and Google Play amount to 29.8 million.

However, Clubhouse stated that user participation remains active. Even now, about 500,000 chat rooms are created daily, and the average daily usage time per user is about one hour.

They expect that the expansion measures introduced one after another this year will contribute to Clubhouse's resurgence.

The co-founders said in a blog, "As we expand (Clubhouse), there will be more ups and downs, and competition with large networks will intensify," but added, "We believe the future is created by optimists, and we are excited that we can continue to work on building a different kind of social network."

Following the release of the Android version in May, Clubhouse introduced "Backchannel" last week, allowing Clubhouse users to exchange text messages. This resolved the inconvenience of having to use other messenger platforms when users want to send texts while conversing by voice.

Clubhouse announced that 10 million messages were sent on the first day of Backchannel's launch, and over 90 million messages were sent during the first week.

However, CNN pointed out, "Some Clubhouse members and critics are sharing cases of anti-Semitism, misinformation, and harassment," and noted, "Many questions have already been raised about whether Clubhouse is prepared to deal with harmful speech and platform misuse issues."