Spotify closes live audio app due to user decline

Spotify's app, Greenroom, introduced in 2021 to compete with Clubhouse, is being discontinued after being rebranded as Spotify Live last year.

Spotify has announced that it will be discontinuing its standalone live audio chat app, Spotify Live, after a period of experimentation. According to a spokesperson from Spotify who spoke to TechCrunch, internal analysis showed that there was no longer any room for the app. However, Spotify Live will still be available within the main Spotify app for users who want to use it.

Despite the discontinuation of Spotify Live, Spotify has stated that it believes there is still a future for live fan-creator interactions within its ecosystem. The company has seen promising results in the artist-focused use case of "listening parties" and intends to continue exploring live interactions between artists and fans moving forward.

It's worth noting that Greenroom, a live audio app for sports content, was the basis for Spotify Live. Spotify acquired Greenroom's parent company, Locker Room, for $62 million in 2021. However, Greenroom failed to gain traction, despite efforts to promote the platform with weekly live shows.

The decline of interest in live audio chats is not unique to Spotify. Facebook has also reduced its efforts to offer a live audio feature, and Meta's Clubhouse clone was integrated into Facebook Live.

In conclusion, Spotify will no longer offer its standalone Spotify Live app, but users can still access live audio rooms via the main Spotify app. The company will continue exploring live fan-creator interactions, with a particular focus on "listening parties," which have shown promise in connecting artists with their fans.