Over the past few months, Twitter has been stepping up its game for content creators. Many different programs and ideas have been tested to allow creators the opportunity to make money on the app. Similar to the previously teased idea of “Super Follow,” they are aiming to launch a “Tip Jar” function for users to tip their favorite creators on the platform.
What is “Spaces” exactly?
Twitter has announced its own form of competition to the emerging audio-only app Clubhouse called Twitter Spaces. Spaces is a new way to have audio-based conversations on Twitter that they are currently testing. It allows up to 11 users in a room to speak at one time, but the rooms are public, meaning anyone can join just to listen in. The host of the room decides who can be permitted to speak and when similarly to Clubhouse.
Sensing a need to switch things up and come up with new additions to the platform, Twitter has realized the potential for such an audio-based function. Twitter understands the social media world is changing, so they are changing along with it.
Because Spaces is new and in testing, the Tip Jar hasn’t been implemented yet. But, as Spaces evolves and grows, we will see this feature in use. Twitter is eager to create more ways for its biggest users and creators to make money. This push comes from the success seen from sites and apps like OnlyFans or Patreon, and even TikTok’s Creator Fund. Previously, Twitter had virtually no opportunities for creators to earn money on their platform.
Twitter Spaces has been in development for a long time now, but there is now pressure to release it due to the previously mentioned competition. Twitter is pushing and aiming for the total release of Spaces for some time in April, as it is still in testing. Only a select group of users are permitted to test and use Spaces as of right now.
The Tip Jar
The new Tip Jar function will be found in the Spaces tab. It will be visible during live conversations so that when users feel compelled to offer their favorite creators a tip, they easily can. Twitter will be using different money transferring apps like Venmo, Cashapp, and Bandcamp. The multiple options of payment will make it more accessible to each individual user.
This feature will hopefully not only boost Twitter’s revenue but make the app more interesting and enticing for content creators. The move to provide more spaces and opportunities for creators to make money on social media is an exciting thing. It will make it easier for creators to support themselves and create great content in turn.
While there is not much information yet about the Tip Jar function, what exactly it will look like, or donation amount limits, we will all know soon when Spaces is launched to the entire platform. Jane Manchun Wong worked on the development of the Tip Jar and shared a peak on her Twitter account.
Twitter is aiming to differentiate its Spaces function from other apps like Clubhouse. They are taking a step in the right direction with the creation of the Tip Jar. Another thing they are doing slightly different is allowing a Twitter Spaces room chat to be archived for up to 30 days in order to go back and check to make sure the room didn’t violate any guidelines. This will make it easier for Twitter to ban users from the function if necessary, which is definitely a good thing. Twitter Spaces will have much stricter guidelines and privacy policies than Clubhouse, which may or may not make it more appealing to creators, depending on the type of content they create and talk about.
The future of Twitter Spaces
Right now, since it hasn’t been fully launched yet, we don’t know how Spaces will fare. It will be interesting to see if it is as popular as Twitter is anticipating it to be. It will also be cool to see how it does against the Clubhouse app. It’s clear they are pushing it and aiming to have it fully accessible to all users before Clubhouse does. What do you think? Are you excited about Twitter Spaces? And will you be eager to tip your favorite creators?
Feature image credit: Unsplash
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