Facebook has launched a new Audio destination on its U.S. mobile app. This will allow users to find all audio formats that Facebook hosts. According to the company, it is also making Live Audio Rooms, its Clubhouse competitor, more widely available to global users. It has begun to roll out Soundbites, which is a kind of TikTok for audio that offers short audio clips.
A preliminary version of the new Audio destination is currently being released to all Facebook users in the U.S. (both iOS and Android). You can access it through Watch, Facebook's video hub. This design choice feels strange, as audio content is intended to be listened to and not watched.
According to the company, the new destination will allow creators to be found and Facebook users to access audio content from their favorite creators, find new creators, and save content for later. The Audio section will launch with content from creators you already follow. It will also include personalized recommendations and suggestions for other audio that is popular across Facebook.
As you interact with audio content, follow more creators and take more notes on Facebook, the destination will become more tailored to your interests and tastes over time.
Facebook provided an update about the progress it has been making to increase access to its audio products in time for this launch.
Facebook introduced a new suite of audio features this spring. These include its Clubhouse competitor, Live Audio Rooms. Soundbites is a short-form audio product. It also supports podcasts. It also collaborated with Spotify to create a miniplayer that streams music from Spotify to Facebook users.
Live Audio Rooms were officially launched to U.S. public officials in good standing with Facebook in June and to selected Facebook Groups. Facebook stated that the feature is a light way to connect and have conversations across communities. It has been adopted by many creators, including Noah and Miley Cyrus and Russell Wilson.
Facebook now says that Live Audio Rooms will be available to creators and public figures outside the U.S., as well as non U.S.-based Facebook groups. The feature was launched on iOS and Android. You can also listen to Live Audio on your desktop. This makes it easier to access as it expands into other markets.
The short-form Soundbites product is currently in beta testing with a number of emerging creators, including Josh Sundquist, comedian and best-selling author; Lolo Spencer, actress and disability advocate; and Molly Burke, digital creator. The test was expanded recently to include additional creators. Facebook now says Soundbites will be available to more Americans in the coming weeks.
Following its earlier audio announcements, the company noted that it has been working to support podcasts. It made podcasts accessible to U.S. users this summer. It recently added the ability to share short podcast clips via News Feed, and support captions for Android (with iOS still to be released). Podcasters also have the option to upload their RSS feeds on their Facebook Page, mobile and desktop. Podcast listening is still available in the United States for now.
Facebook claims that it has been developing tools to help identify and respond to content that violates its Community Standards as it expands audio experiences. These tools can automatically detect harmful content on Facebook. Facebook claims it is adapting its technology and processes as it learns more about violating audio content.
This comes after a difficult week for Facebook. It saw one of its longest outages yet, as well as a whistleblower testifying in front of the U.S. Senate. He spoke about the harms caused by Facebook's platform. These include its engagement-based algorithm, inability to combat misinformation, and corporate decision making that puts profits ahead people. According to The New York Times, Facebook's staff is now divided by the testimony of the whistleblower. Facebook is now expanding into audio, making live audio difficult to moderate. If it fails to develop the technology necessary to make audio safe, Facebook could be a platform for spreading misinformation.
