In my view, the answer is yes—Clubhouse will likely disappear. The platform lacks anything truly unique to sustain its momentum. Like many other social networks that have come and gone, hoping to replicate the success of Facebook or Snapchat, Clubhouse did manage to attract tens of millions in investment and reach about a million active users at its peak. This was an impressive feat for a platform within its first year. However, the app’s rapid rise was largely driven by a sense of exclusivity and the presence of celebrities in its rooms. Despite this early success, Clubhouse faces significant challenges that could lead to its downfall.
Content Creation: A Missed Opportunity
Unlike social media giants such as Instagram and TikTok, Clubhouse fails to incentivize new content creators. Successful platforms reward those who produce exclusive content, benefiting both the network and the creators. On Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Twitter, even lesser-known creators have a chance to grow their audience over time.
Clubhouse, by contrast, operates much like live streaming. If you’re not already famous, engaging with an empty room can be discouraging. Consequently, many aspiring creators might abandon their efforts after a few attempts. While Clubhouse provides a platform for celebrity interaction, it fails to nurture and develop new voices.
Learning on Clubhouse: A Missed Potential
The idea of being in the same room with someone whose opinion you respect, and having the opportunity to ask questions directly, is appealing in theory. However, in practice, Clubhouse is far from the ideal platform for this. The absence of recorded sessions means that users cannot revisit content later, placing Clubhouse at a disadvantage compared to podcasts, which offer the flexibility to listen at one’s convenience.
The Lack of a Real Solution
Successful social networks solve specific human needs. Facebook keeps you connected with friends, Twitter allows you to share quick thoughts, Instagram enables you to share life moments, TikTok entertains with short videos, and Twitch provides live streaming of games. These platforms offer quick, easily consumable content that addresses particular user needs. Clubhouse, however, leaves it up to users to define its purpose, which is not an effective strategy.
Reproducible Functionality: A Key Vulnerability
Although Clubhouse has become synonymous with live performances and lectures, its functionality is not unique. The platform lacks dedicated influencers who can anchor its audience, and its user base is not particularly loyal. If a popular host were to move to another platform, their audience would likely follow, exposing Clubhouse’s reliance on personalities rather than its own merits. This lack of self-sufficiency could be its greatest weakness.
In fact, the network has already seen a decline in popularity. As of 2024, Clubhouse has only 700,000 monthly visits, according to Similarweb, indicating a significant drop in user engagement.
