Facebook is withdrawing from podcasts. The platform plans to completely remove them from its service starting June 3.
This week, the social network Facebook announced that it will no longer allow its users to add podcasts. Gradually, it will end its short audio product Soundbites and remove its central audio hub. Thus, on June 3, the shows will no longer be available on the social network.
A phasing out
As Bloomberg reports, this decision was revealed by a memo that Facebook shared with its partners. “We are constantly evaluating the features we offer in order to focus on the most meaningful experiences”, a spokesperson for Meta said in the document. He added who did not know the exact date of the closure of Soundbites and the audio hub, but that it will be in the “next weeks”. As a reminder, Meta is the parent company of Facebook.
Last April, Facebook announced several initiatives in the field of audio. This decision was motivated by the fact that the market for podcasting and audio in general was booming. The entry of Facebook therefore seemed obvious. In the end, this strategic shift did not work and the platform decided to gradually abandon it.
A quiet deletion
Facebook has decided not to alert users that podcasts will no longer be available. The platform prefers to leave it up to publishers to decide how they want to disclose this information. Additionally, Live Audio Rooms will be integrated with Facebook Live. Users will therefore be able to choose to view them only with audio or with audio and video.
Clearly, the podcast platform will be closed, soundbites, its short audio function, will be removed and Live Audio Rooms will be integrated into Facebook Live.
Focus on Reels and the Metaverse
A Meta spokesperson confirmed all this information before Bloomberg. He also reaffirmed the company’s long-term plan to “focus on the most meaningful experience”. For now, it appears to be Reels and the Metaverse.
Indeed, according to last week’s earnings report, Meta Reels now accounted for more than 20% of time spent on Instagram. Although the stock fell in February, it rebounded after the release of financial results.
_
Follow Geeko on Facebook, Youtube and Instagram so you don’t miss any news, tests and tips.
–
