Discord, the platform created in 2015 designed to help friends and family stay in touch, recently launched Stage Channels. The new feature boasts similar functions to Clubhouse, allowing individuals to join "clubs" that are focused around certain topics and talk with the users in the club.
Discord’s description of Stage Channels says, "Stages can be especially useful in situations where you’re running events within your server such as voice AMAs or interviews, reading clubs where each person talks about their book of choice, or just singing the night away in karaoke. No more having people talking over each other thinking it’s their turn or that long awkward silence before someone goes ‘…oh, am I up?’"
Competitive Chatroom Platfroms
Discord Launched a Clubhouse Competitor Dubbed 'Stage Channels'
Trend Themes
1. Competitive Chatroom Platforms - The emergence of new chatroom features and platforms with competitive features is leading to an increase in engagement and user activity, particularly among niche groups.
2. Social Audio - The rise of platforms like Clubhouse and the launch of similar features by other established platforms is leading to a new era of audio-first social networking.
3. Niche Networking - The growth of platforms like Discord and their expansion into niche areas is enabling users to connect over shared interests and hobbies in a way that was previously limited by physical distance.
Industry Implications
1. Social Media - The social media industry is experiencing a shift towards audio-based features and social networking as users seek more meaningful connections with niche groups.
2. Entertainment - The emergence of audio-first platforms and features is disrupting the entertainment industry by providing new ways for creators to connect with and build dedicated audiences.
3. Gaming - The expansion of platforms like Discord into voice-based features is creating new opportunities for gaming communities to connect and engage with one another in real-time.