It’s been a downhill slope for social audio. After Clubhouse had early success during the outset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Twitter, Facebook and Spotify launched their own copycat versions. But excitement has fizzled as more in-person activities resumed. Spotify’s decision to shelve plans for a fund to back creators producing live audio would seem like the latest nail in the coffin. 

But that conclusion may be too hasty. The demise of Spotify’s audio creator fund seems more about Spotify’s flip-flopping strategy—and maybe broader ambivalence about creator funds—than the last gasp of live audio.