Conversations That Connect: An Exploratory Study of Clubhouse Use and Motivations

The rise of audio-based social platforms has transformed how individuals interact, network, and share information in real time. One of the most notable of these is Clubhouse, a drop-in voice conversation app that gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. While originally marketed as a space for casual socializing, Clubhouse has evolved into a dynamic venue for professional discourse, collaborative learning, and community engagement (Chen et al., 2022). Functioning as an audio-based social media platform, Clubhouse enables users to engage in real-time voice conversations in virtual rooms, fostering spontaneous and meaningful interactions akin to a live podcast or networking event. Its unique format offers a sense of exclusivity through its initial invite-only model and appeals to users seeking immediate, authentic social exchange beyond traditional text or video platforms until today. This paper explores the core motivations driving users to participate on Clubhouse, including the desire for social belonging, access to diverse perspectives, opportunities for learning, and engagement with people from various backgrounds. Past research highlights how Clubhouse’s exclusivity and surprise elements enhance user engagement while fostering strong community bonds (Hult et al., 2021). Furthermore, the voice-centered nature of Clubhouse significantly influences how users communicate and build social connections, differentiating it from other social media platforms (Carroll et al., 2021). This paper highlights how Clubhouse redefines social networking by emphasizing voice as a medium for connection, self-expression, and community building in the digital age.