YouTube is Testing a Highly-Requested DM Feature
▼ Summary
– YouTube is testing a new direct messaging feature that allows users to share videos and have conversations about them within the mobile app.
– The feature is currently available only to adults aged 18 or older in Ireland and Poland as part of a limited experiment.
– This messaging capability has been a top user request, following YouTube’s removal of a previous messaging feature in 2019.
– Messages will be reviewed to ensure they comply with Community Guidelines, with systems scanning for harmful content and users able to block or report conversations.
– Users must send and accept invites to start chatting, and the feature does not replace existing methods of sharing videos through other apps.
YouTube is currently trialing a highly anticipated direct messaging function, allowing users to share videos and discuss them directly within the mobile application. This experimental feature, aimed at adults aged 18 and over, is initially launching in Ireland and Poland to gauge user response and refine the tool before a potential wider release.
According to a recently published support page, the platform is exploring fresh methods for video sharing. Participants in the test can distribute long-form videos, YouTube Shorts, and live streams while holding conversations about that content without needing to exit the app. This effectively introduces a native direct messaging system to YouTube.
The company has identified this as one of the most frequently requested capabilities from its user community. It’s worth noting that YouTube previously offered a messaging service several years ago but decided to remove it back in 2019.
The official statement from YouTube clarifies the scope of the experiment. They are testing a new function designed to simplify sharing favorite videos and to facilitate discussions right inside the YouTube mobile app. This trial is currently limited to adult users in Ireland and Poland. Because this has been such a popular user request, the team is enthusiastic about testing it and collecting valuable feedback. The company also reassures users that they can continue sharing videos through all their existing external applications.
An important aspect of the new messaging service is that all conversations are subject to the platform’s Community Guidelines. Users must agree that their messages may be examined to verify compliance. YouTube’s systems will automatically scan for policy violations, including material that might lead to real-world harm, and the team will investigate any content that gets flagged by users.
A separate support document outlines the practical steps for using the feature. To begin a chat, one user must send an invitation to another. The recipient has the option to decline the invite if they wish. The platform also includes standard safety controls, giving users the ability to block others and report entire conversations if necessary.
There is no confirmed timeline for when this direct messaging capability might become available in other countries. For now, the test is confined to the two initial nations.
(Source: 9to5 Google)
