Podcasts are Being Tested By Twitter As Part Of A Redesigned Spaces Tab

Twitter hasn’t given up on the idea of “also becoming an audio app.” Today, the platform stated that it is testing a redesigned Spaces page, which will also include a selection of popular podcasts. The podcasts, which include well-known titles from Vox Media, NPR, and others, will be organized into categories such as news, music, and sports and displayed alongside related Spaces. Twitter is presently testing the functionality on the iOS and Android applications with a small set of worldwide English-speaking users, with a larger release and additional capabilities on the way.

Jane Manchun Wong, an under-the-hood detective, revealed earlier this year that Twitter was working on a “Podcasts” button. Instead, it looks like Twitter intends to group all of its audio content under Spaces as a one-stop shop for podcasts and live audio. Furthermore, the Spaces page has different categories for current Spaces, forthcoming Spaces, and a “Stations” tab that groups podcasts and Spaces under related topics and will auto-play once selected. You’re correct if this doesn’t appear to be the most intuitive or user-friendly design for people seeking for a certain podcast or episode. Instead, Twitter appears to have designed the service to function as a curated radio experience akin to Pandora. Users may give each audio pick a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down,” which allows Twitter to personalize a station to your individual preferences. This isn’t limited to the stuff in Spaces. According to the company’s blog post, if you consistently interact with Vox Media material on Twitter, its podcasts will most likely appear in your Spaces tab.