Listen Now: Introducing Live Audio on Facebook

Facebook continues to enhance its Live experience. After the recent announcement of Live 360 videos, Facebook is adding another dimension: audio. The social media giant announced its launch of Live Audio, a new way to go Live on Facebook:

“We know that sometimes publishers want to tell a story on Facebook with words and not video. We’ve even seen some Pages find creative ways to go live and reach audiences with audio only by using the Facebook Live API or by adding a still image to accompany their audio broadcast. Our new Live Audio option makes it easy to go live with audio only when that’s the broadcaster’s preferred format.”

According to Facebook, Live Audio also provides a way to broadcast from low-connectivity areas or to reach audiences in areas with weak network connections.

How Facebook Live Audio Works

Facebook Live Audio works just like Live video. When a Page starts a Live Audio broadcast, it will be pushed to news feeds and the Page’s Live subscribers and active followers will receive a notification. Facebook will pull the Page’s cover image as the default image for the Live Audio broadcast. Listeners can leave comments and reactions while the broadcast is ongoing. Broadcasts can last for up to four hours.

Android users will be able to switch to other apps or even lock their phone while listening to a Facebook Live Audio broadcast while iOS users can continue browsing Facebook while listening.

Facebook Live Audio can be a potential platform for:

  • Radio program broadcasts
  • Podcasts
  • Author interviews and book readings
  • Interviews and Q&A sessions
  • Live sets and recording sessions for bands and musicians
  • News broadcasts from disaster and conflict areas

Facebook has partnered with publishers, including Harper Collins and BBC World Service, as well as authors Brit Bennett and Adam Grant to introduce Live Audio over the next few weeks. The feature will roll out to all other users early next year.

Image Credits

Featured Image: Mactrunk/DepositPhotos

In-post image from Facebook

#