This time last year you’d probably heard of TikTok but didn’t use it and had no clue what it was about. Then lockdown happened and there was bigger things to think about than cat videos and the Wap challenge. Well now it’s the time for a new social media app that everyone seems to be talking about, and it’s called Clubhouse.

If you’ve been on Twitter recently you’ll have seen people mention Clubhouse. They talk about rooms, invites and *that* Kevin Hart chat.

But if you’re feeling pretty old not knowing what the hell everyone is going on about, then this is your comprehensive guide to the invite only audio social media app:

What exactly is the Clubhouse app?

Clubhouse is a new social media app that allows users to have “casual, drop-in audio conversations” with others. They could be your friends, celebs or just random strangers. But the main difference to other social media apps is that it is purely by audio that you’re engaging in conversations.

You can get as involved as you want, simply listen in to conversations or be the one hosting and leading chats.

The company describes itself as: “A new type of social product based on voice [that] allows people everywhere to talk, tell stories, develop ideas, deepen friendships, and meet interesting new people around the world.”

You can use multiple rooms, have locked or private options. Most importantly the conversations aren’t recorded, so in theory they can’t leave the app.

What can you hear on Clubhouse?

According to The New York Times, you can literally hear just about everything on this new app, there’s ‘celebrity talk shows, D.J. nights, networking events, speed dating, theatrical performances and political discussions.’

And Vogue describes the app as a bringing together of “of live podcast-style conversations, panel discussions, networking opportunities”.

Who made the Clubhouse app?

Paul Davison and Rohan Seth made the app, which was launched in May last year and already has 600k users.

It was valued at $100million when it first launched.

Which celebs are using the app?

Clubhouse is currently invite only, so unsurprisingly it’s full of celebs. Drake, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish and Oprah Winfrey are just some of the celebs who have signed up to the app.

Has there been any Clubhouse drama?

The app has been around for less than a year and already it’s received some backlash. It’s been criticised by many for failing to moderate rooms properly.

In October last year however it issued a statement “condemning anti-Blackness, anti-Semitism, hate speech and abuse”. The app also updated a list of guidelines and now allows moderators to block, report and mute rooms.

How do I get on Clubhouse?

Currently Clubhouse is invite-only, so unless you’re mates with Oprah, your chances are pretty slim.

And the app is currently only running on iPhones. Yet another reason to not be an Android user. You can however download the app, and get on a waiting list and reserve a username, so at least there’s that.

However the company have said they are not trying to be exclusive and intend to roll the app out for everyone, it just isn’t ready for general release yet.

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