You can easily upload video, images, and GIFs to Twitter. However, somehow, audio clips such as MP3s and WAVs are excluded from the party. But don’t worry, as just because Twitter doesn’t offer the ability to share audio doesn’t mean you can’t share audio tweets.
This article reveals everything you need to know about uploading audio files, MP3s, and voice recordings to Twitter. And once you have chosen the app you want to use, it’s all pretty straightforward.
Twitter Doesn’t Support Audio Tweets
Curiously, it isn’t possible to share audio on Twitter in the way you can share photos, videos, GIFs, and written messages.
The reason for this is unclear. Images can be uploaded or linked to; videos can be uploaded, while links to YouTube and video auto embed. Similarly, GIFs can be uploaded to Twitter, or you can create your own GIF on GIPHY and embed it in a tweet.
NB: Here’s how to create GIFs even if you have zero skills
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However, there is no audio or MP3 upload facility—so, how do you post audio on Twitter?
Let’s get this out of the way: you can forget being able to simply upload audio to Twitter.
Instead, you must rely on a few third-party services that provide audio embeds that you can share in tweets. These services all host the audio that you upload. Unlike images and video, and custom-made GIFs, the audio isn’t uploaded to Twitter’s servers. Think of it as uploading a video to YouTube and then sharing the results on Twitter, only in audio format.
The apps we recommend using are:
- Headliner
- Audioboom
- Transistor
You’ll note that all of these have a graphical aspect to how they play audio. In fact, each of these methods creates a video file. This appears to be a requirement of Twitter, which probably explains why you can’t otherwise upload audio to Twitter.
Desperate to post audio to Twitter? Let’s take a look at how to make tweets with embedded audio that plays without anyone having to leave Twitter.
1. Use Headliner to Post Voice Recordings on Twitter
Headliner is a free option that lets you post voice recordings and other audio to Twitter and beyond. It’s ostensibly a tool for promoting podcasts, designed to create snippets of audio and match them with suitable graphics. There’s even a speech-to-text tool to display captions, allowing content to be consumed without sound.
Headliner is easy to use. Simply create an account and choose the Audiogram Wizard option. This has a 500MB or two-hour maximum upload but must be accompanied by an image. Just drag and drop the audio file and click Next to access the trim editor.
You can use the editor to focus on a specific segment of the audio file. Wish to use the full file? Select it all, then click Next and select an aspect ratio for the image—square is best for Twitter.
Proceed to use a suggested template or create a new one. Add an image (this can simply be your Twitter profile photo to save time) then select Export Video Now.
A few minutes later the project will be complete and the download link will be emailed to you. Click the link to download the file. You can then upload it to Twitter, or simply use the sharing feature to embed it in a new tweet.
Visit: Headliner.app
2. Send Audio Tweets With Audioboom
Formerly known as Audioboo, this service was launched with the express intention of providing an audio tweeting option. Audio uploads were known as “boos” and gained popularity when actor, comedian, writer, and technophile Stephen Fry started using the service.
These days, the renamed service focuses on podcast hosting. Audioboom offers a $9.99/month subscription which isn’t ideal for occasional or one-off uploads. However, it does provide great integration and embedding options, making it ideal for regularly uploading audio to share on Twitter.
Using Audioboom is simple. Sign up, record your audio, and then upload it. Alternatively, you can record in the browser window. Once the audio is saved, add a description and an image, then publish the audio. If you have set up your account with social media integration, the audio will be posted to Twitter.
Visit: Audioboom.com
3. Make Audio Tweets With Transistor
Another paid option for podcasters with great Twitter integration, Transistor is a service growing in popularity.
Like Audioboom, however, Transistor is not cheap. Although Transistor offers a free trial (useful for one-off audio uploads), the service is intended for professional podcasters.
To embed Transistor audio in your tweets, sign in and use the New Episode button. Add a name for the upload, set a publishing date, and add the Audio File. Artwork is optional.
Complete the rest of the fields as required, then Save New Episode. Follow the steps to publish the audio on Transistor, then use the Share feature to grab the inline embed link for Twitter.
Once the link is shared to Twitter, the audio can be played by anyone who sees the tweet.
Visit: Transistor.fm
Avoid Uploading Copyrighted MP3 Files to Twitter
All information given here is with the understanding that the shared audio is your own.
So, thoughts, jokes, anything that lets you get your message out there if you’re unable or unwilling to type. Perhaps some citizen journalism, or your reaction to something amazing and memorable that you want to share.
It’s vital, however, that you don’t use these tools to share material that you don’t own the copyright to. In other words, don’t upload MP3 files of your favorite songs to Twitter. For a start off, it’s a sure-fire way to have your upload deleted by whichever service you’ve chosen.
And if you’re desperate to share music on Twitter? If it’s not yours to share, use a Spotify or YouTube link instead.
Now You Know How to Upload Audio to Twitter
By now you should have decided what is the best way of sharing audio tweets on Twitter. At least for you personally. It’s a choice between the free Headliner tool or paying for professional-standard podcast hosting with Audioboom or Transistor.
While other solutions seem obvious (SoundCloud for example) they don’t offer that all-important inline embed. Instead, your tweet will contain a link to the host site.
If you’re uploading media to Twitter, it’s important that the audience can sample its contents right on the site. Insisting that they leave Twitter isn’t ideal and defeats the object of the effort you’ve put into creating an audio tweet.
Want to learn more about this particular social network? Here’s how to use Twitter like a boss
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