Facebook to Close Podcast Platform Less Than a Year of Its Launch

Social media big Facebook has deliberate to close down its podcast platform lower than a 12 months after its launch. According to a report, the audio podcast platform’s closure is confirmed and it’s speculated that the closure will altogether shut on June 3.

The transfer is a part of a broader re-evaluation of Facebook’s audio merchandise. The firm can also be shuttering the positioning’s Soundbites and Audio hubs, and integrating its live-streaming Live Audio Rooms function (basically a clone of once-buzzy audio app Clubhouse) into its broader Facebook Live suite, experiences The Verge.

Facebook spokesperson Adelaide Coronado believes that the adjustments would ‘simplify’ the corporate’s audio choices. “After a year of learning and iterating on audio-first experiences, we’ve decided to simplify our suite of audio tools on Facebook. We’re constantly evaluating the features we offer so we can focus on the most meaningful experiences,” mentioned Coronado.

Facing competitors from established audio podcast platforms like SiriusXM, Amazon, and Clubhouse, Facebook has realised the difficulties in establishing its foothold on this extremely aggressive market. Hence, with Facebook prioritising its Meta platform, the choice of shutting down its podcast platform comes as no shock.

Last 12 months in June, Facebook launched podcasts and reside audio streams within the US to maintain customers engaged on its platform and to compete with rising rivals. Facebook mentioned it was permitting public figures with verified accounts to start out reside audio rooms and invite anybody else to talk.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has appeared on the video streaming app Clubhouse prior to now, hosted his personal reside audio room on his Facebook web page quickly after launch. “Live Audio Rooms and podcasts rolling out within the US is only the start of our audio journey,” wrote Fidji Simo, head of the Facebook app, in the course of the launch.

Podcasts and reside audio have additionally been an outlet for racism, misinformation, and extremist materials. Live audio is especially troublesome to average, in contrast with conventional social media posts.