Twitter has taken the “What’s happening?” tagline to a whole new level with Twitter Spaces. This cool new feature allows Twitter users to host or join the live conversation by either listening or speaking to contribute. This has revolutionized how you can use Twitter with a new way to connect and share what’s happening.
With this new tool, you can host a live conversation or join a conversation hosted by someone else. This is definitely a new way to make a conversation on the platform. So how does it work? In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about this Twitter Spaces.
Inside This Article
What Is Twitter Spaces?
Twitter Spaces is the social media giant’s answer to the invite-only app, Clubhouse. For a time, Spaces was only available to a handful of accounts. According to Twitter, it was interesting to hear people’s voices bring the conversation to life while the feature was in beta.
Spaces is a live conversation hosted by a Twitter user. People can join a Space by either listening to the conversation or by asking the Host to speak regarding the topic. In a way, Twitter Spaces is reminiscent of the old-school conference call within a circle of friends. With this, Twitter effectively encourages real and open conversations on the platform.
Twitter Space also brings live-tweeting of an event to a whole new level. With Spaces, live blogs became more convenient for those who are busy to read a blow-by-blow account on Twitter but can lend their ears to what’s happening.
From the latest current events or the latest podcast of your favorite sports down to the latest gossip in town, dig into the conversation you care about with your friends.
Who Can Use Twitter Spaces?
When it was announced in 2020, only a handful of accounts have been given access to the beta version of the feature. While we can’t really point how Twitter chose those accounts, we can infer that those accounts are established ones. But now that it is live, anyone with more than 600 followers can host a Space. Meanwhile, anyone with a Twitter account can join a Space.
Twitter believes accounts with more than 600 followers are able to host and carry meaningful conversations within their circle. And in relation to this, it seems putting a scope to accounts with more than 600 makes sense. This is because Twitter plans to trial monetizing Space. In fact, Twitter is testing how it can monetize Space by adding a Tip Jar option to Twitter Spaces. In a tweet posted by developer Jane Machun Wong, some users are able to link their PayPal, Cash App, Patreon, Venmo, or Bandcamp username to Twitter Spaces.
Twitter is working on Tip Jar in @TwitterSpaces,
letting you enter your usernames on Bandcamp, Cash App, Patreon, PayPal and Venmo, allowing people to tip you directly there pic.twitter.com/xhCxCTjWnO
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) March 10, 2021
As to any finality on this feature, Twitter is yet to make an official announcement.
How to Start a Twitter Space
If you have amassed a following of more than 600 Twitter followers, you are entitled to take advantage of Twitter Spaces. Available for both Twitter for iOS and Android, the Host takes full control of the Space. So how do you start a Space on Twitter? Here’s how.
METHOD 1
- Open the Twitter app.
- On your home screen, long-press the Compose New Tweet icon on the lower right-hand corner of the screen.
- From the list of options, choose the Space icon which is dots forming a diamond.
- Name a space or click Start a Space.
METHOD 2
- Open the Twitter app.
- On your home screen, tap your image in Fleets.
- From here you can post a Fleet (similar to IG Stories or Facebook MyDay) or if you scroll to the left you can start a Space.
- Name a space or click Start a Space.
By default, Twitter Spaces are public posts. This means your Space is available to everyone even if the account is not following you or if you don’t follow the account back. You may, however, control who gets to join the Space by setting the visibility to Everyone, People You Follow, or Only People You Invite.
Additionally, up to 11 speakers (Host included) can speak at any given time simultaneously in a Space but there is no cap in terms of how many can join and listen to Space.
How to Join a Twitter Space
While some of us can live by being the Host, there those of us who would rather enjoy the noise. If you are one of the latter, here’s how you can join a Space on Twitter.
- On Twitter, an active Space is usually indicated by a purple pulsing outline on the upper screen of the Timeline tab.
- Tap on an active Space.
- A screen will pop showing you the accounts active in the said Space.
- Tap Start Listening to enter the Space and start listening.
Listeners can’t speak in their chosen Space. If Listeners wish to speak, a request should be sent to the Host who then can either approve or disapprove the request. You can also join a Space through a join link provided to you via Direct Message.
FAQs About Twitter Spaces
Below is the information you need to know before starting your own Space on Twitter.
1. What Are Other Features of Twitter Spaces?
Twitter Spaces is a feature where you can do so much with a few tools at your disposal. What does that mean? Essentially, there’s nothing much you can do on Spaces other than discussing a topic. As the Host, you can start a Space, invite other users to join your Space, schedule a Space, approve requests of Listeners who wish to talk in your Space, revoke speaking privileges, and end a Space.
Moreover, both Listeners and Host can react to anything anyone has said by choosing a dedicated emoji that represents their reaction to what was said. Listeners can also leave a Space at any given time.
What we like about Spaces is the View Captions setting, which is helpful especially to those with hearing challenges. Nevertheless, the key to having fun in a Space is talking and interacting.
2. Can I Schedule Twitter Spaces?
Much like scheduling a tweet, you can also schedule a Space. While Spaces are essentially impromptu posts, any Host who wishes to create a Space has an option to schedule a Space for up to 14 days prior to the live date. Simply follow the steps on how to start a Space as outlined above. However, instead of tapping Start a Space, tap Schedule for later. Select the date and time. A push notification will be sent to you on the scheduled date reminding you of your scheduled Space.
3. Where Can I Access Twitter Spaces?
While Spaces is available for both Android and iOS versions of Twitter, Twitter is still strict on the 600 or more following base for anyone to access the feature. However, accounts with less than 600 followers can join and listen in a Space. And as of this posting, there are still minute limitations in terms of access to Spaces. For one, a Host can’t start a Space on the web version of Twitter. However, listeners can join a Space using the web version of the platform.
4. Is Twitter Space Available on Third-Party Twitter Apps?
Some of us do enjoy using the features and efficiencies of third-party Twitter apps. However, they can only offer so much as the basics. While it has yet to be seen whether Twitter Spaces is accessible on these Twitter alternative apps, the obvious answer as of this writing is Twitter Spaces is inaccessible through third-party Twitter clients.
Takeaway
Twitter has come a long way since its release in 2006. Since then, the platform released a series of new and revamped features. The Retweet and Like buttons are different now in contrast to their earliest versions. Twitter Spaces is just a new way for us to share what’s happening around us. Of course, nothing will replace the text microblogging interface we have come to love about Twitter. But the platform is growing and changing. And with new features like Twitter Fleets and Twitter Voice, which reflect Twitter’s move to adapt to current developments in the social media arena, it seems the platform is here to stay for the long haul.
