X Spaces is the live audio feature built directly into X that lets any account host a real-time audio conversation with multiple speakers and an unlimited listening audience. Spaces replaced Twitter’s original audio rooms concept and has become a popular format for interviews, panel discussions, AMAs (Ask Me Anything), and community conversations. If you have not used Spaces as part of your X strategy, this guide explains how to start a Space, how to join one as a speaker or listener, and how to use Spaces to build a more engaged audience in 2026.
What Are X Spaces
An X Space is a live, voice-based conversation hosted by one or more people on the X platform. Listeners can join for free by tapping on the Space from their timeline or from a direct link. The host can invite specific accounts to speak, approve speaker requests from the audience, and mute or remove participants. Spaces appear at the top of the feed for accounts that are following the host or any active speaker during a live session.
Who Can Host an X Space
Any X account with at least 600 followers can host a Space. Accounts below this threshold can join Spaces as listeners or speakers but cannot create their own. This follower threshold exists to prevent spam and low-effort broadcasting. Accounts that cross the 600-follower milestone gain hosting access automatically without any manual application.
Speakers and Co-Hosts
A Space can have up to 13 speakers at one time, including the host. Co-hosts have the same moderation capabilities as the host. Speakers can turn their microphone on and off, and the host can mute any speaker at any time. Listeners can raise a hand to request speaking access, which the host can approve or ignore.
How To Start an X Space
Tap the compose button on the X app, then select the Spaces icon (a microphone or headphone icon in the bottom row of options). Add a title to your Space, select whether to enable Ticketed Spaces if you want to charge for access, and set a scheduled start time or start immediately. Once the Space begins, listeners on your follower list see it appear at the top of their home feed.
Promoting Your Space in Advance
Schedule your Space in advance and post about it at least 24 hours before the session. Share the scheduled Space link in a post so followers can set a reminder to join. Reach out to any co-hosts or featured speakers to ask them to share the Space with their own audiences. A well-promoted Space can draw significantly larger audiences than an impromptu session.
Recording and Replays
X Spaces can be recorded automatically when you enable recording before starting. After the Space ends, the recording is available for listeners to replay for up to 30 days. Enabling recording allows people who could not attend live to listen later and continues generating engagement beyond the live session window.
Using Spaces to Build Your X Audience
Spaces create real-time engagement that few other content formats on X can match. The best Spaces strategy treats audio as a relationship-building and discovery tool rather than a broadcast channel.
Host Regular Topic-Focused Sessions
Accounts that host Spaces on a consistent schedule in a specific topic area build a reliable listener base. Weekly or biweekly sessions on a consistent topic train your audience to expect and show up for your Spaces the same way a podcast audience builds listening habits. Consistency matters more than frequency: one high-quality weekly Space outperforms three unpromoted sessions with no regular schedule.
Invite Speakers With Complementary Audiences
When you bring in speakers from other accounts as guests on your Space, their followers see the Space appear in their feed too. Choosing guests whose audiences overlap with your target niche is one of the most effective discovery strategies on X. Each guest essentially introduces your hosting ability to a new audience segment.
X Spaces vs Competitive Audio Formats
| Platform | Format | Max Speakers | Replay Available | Discoverability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X Spaces | Live audio rooms | 13 | 30 days | Top of feed for followers |
| Clubhouse | Live audio rooms | Unlimited | No (by default) | Separate app browsing |
| LinkedIn Audio Events | Scheduled audio events | Multiple | Yes | Event page and notifications |
| Discord Stage Channels | Community audio stages | Unlimited | No | Within Discord server only |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to X Spaces without an X account?
You can listen to X Spaces through a direct link on desktop without an account. Mobile listeners need the X app and an account to listen. Speakers and interactive participants always need an account.
How long can an X Space last?
There is no maximum duration for an X Space. Sessions can run for minutes or hours. Most successful Spaces run between 30 and 90 minutes, which is long enough to develop a substantial conversation but short enough to hold audience attention without losing listeners to fatigue.
Can I use X Spaces to sell products or services?
Yes. Many creators and businesses use Spaces to host educational sessions that naturally lead to product recommendations or service offers. X also offers Ticketed Spaces, where listeners pay to attend, for accounts with 1,000 or more followers and additional eligibility criteria.
How do I increase attendance at my X Spaces?
Promote the scheduled Space at least 24 hours in advance, invite well-known speakers who will share the event with their audiences, post a compelling description of what the conversation will cover, and encourage followers to set a reminder via the Space’s reminder feature. Scheduling Spaces at consistent times each week builds audience anticipation and habit.
Spaces Reward Creators Who Show Up Consistently
The first few X Spaces you host will likely have small audiences. The accounts that build loyal Space audiences do so through consistent scheduling, compelling topics, and genuine engagement with speakers and listeners. Treat your first ten Spaces as a learning phase rather than expecting immediate large audiences. By the time you have hosted ten consistent sessions in a clear niche, you will have a listener base that shows up regularly and a format that feels natural and easy to produce.
