Get to Know the Exclusive Clubhouse App That Went Viral Thanks to Elon Musk

Over the past few weeks, the internet has been abuzz with talk about the Clubhouse app. The app has successfully captured the attention of netizens worldwide after Tesla CEO Elon Musk mentioned it in a tweet suggesting people use this audio-only app.

In his latest tweet, Elon Musk even invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to join a conversation on Clubhouse.

“@KremlinRussia_E, would you like to join me for a conversation on Clubhouse?” wrote Elon Musk on February 14, 2021.

Seeing Elon Musk’s tweet, people suffering from FOMO immediately rushed to download the Clubhouse app, eager to keep up with the times.

According to Marketwatch, Clubhouse is an invitation-only audio chat app that connects people around the world to engage in live conversations on a variety of topics. Of course, users can choose topics based on their interests, such as technology, business, health, lifestyle, and many more.

What’s unique about this app—which is currently only available on iOS—is that not only can you not join as a member directly, but it also doesn’t offer photo or video upload features. So users can truly only socialize through audio.

Additionally, on Clubhouse, you can create discussion rooms to explore any topic, with each room accommodating up to 5,000 participants. Members joining a discussion room can ask questions or participate in the conversation simply by “raising their hand.”

Because this app is real-time and fairly exclusive, none of the conversations in discussion rooms can be recorded and shared with users who do not have a Clubhouse account.

Clubhouse Invitations Require an Inside Connection

The Clubhouse app, founded by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Paul Davison and former Google employee Rohan Seth, is quite exclusive because not just anyone can join as a member. This means users cannot simply create an account like on other social media platforms and immediately become members. New users must first receive an invitation from another user who is already a member of Clubhouse.

Only after receiving an invitation can a new user create an account on the Clubhouse app. Thus, only existing Clubhouse members can invite others, and each member is limited to inviting just two people.

The exclusivity of the Clubhouse app is considered one of the key factors behind its massive valuation. In fact, in some countries, invitations for new Clubhouse users are bought and sold.

A Platform for Networking with Famous Figures

Launched in March 2020, the app went viral after many influencers from Silicon Valley and the entertainment industry—including Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and singer Drake—joined and helped make Clubhouse a sensation.

In Indonesia itself, many influencers—including social media personalities and professionals in the creative industry—have already joined.

Indonesian celebrity Anya Geraldine has also joined the Clubhouse craze. Previously, Anya had shared her thoughts on the Clubhouse app via her Twitter account, @Anyaselalubenar. In her tweet, she predicted that Clubhouse would mark a new chapter—as if LinkedIn and Tinder had merged. It’s unclear exactly what she meant, but Anya later tweeted again, inviting her Twitter followers to follow her on Clubhouse.

Seeing the buzz on social media as several influencers uploaded their profiles and shared the Clubhouse sessions they attended, it’s no surprise that curious netizens—who don’t want to miss out—are flocking to join the Clubhouse craze.

Since Clubhouse is known as a hangout spot for popular figures, you can actually use it as a shortcut to start building your network and learning new things—plus, you can exclusively connect with and directly participate in conversations with experts—all for free. Of course, you’re interested in trying out the Clubhouse app. Don’t let FOMO get the best of you!

Written by Savira, PR Consultancy Intern at Media Buffet