After YouTube retired its private messaging feature in 2019, the platform is now reintroducing the feature for some groups of users.
Users with access to the test can share videos such as long-form videos, short videos, and even live streams directly in the mobile app.
Tap the (Share) button to open a full-screen chat within the app, allowing you to start a private one-on-one conversation or a group chat. Friends can reply with their own video, or simply type their reply or use emojis.
The test is now available to users 18 and older in Ireland and Poland, the company said.
This is exciting news for many, as currently the only way to share YouTube videos is via text, email, WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram DM, or other messaging platforms. The company noted that in-app messaging is the “most requested feature.”
When the messaging feature was first removed, the rationale behind that decision was not well explained. My guess is that this feature is underutilized, which is a common fate for many features that end up being deprecated.
Another possibility is that younger users may be using the feature more frequently, which could be problematic for a platform that is often under scrutiny for inappropriate content, as well as concerns about child exploitation and predatory behavior.
This concern regarding children may be why YouTube chose to limit testing to adult users this time, and could influence its decision to maintain similar restrictions if the feature is rolled out more widely in the future.
YouTube has also implemented standard safety features, such as requiring users to send each other invitations before starting a chat, as well as the ability to unsend messages, block other users, and report conversations.
YouTube reviews messages to ensure they adhere to the same community guidelines that apply to videos and comments on the platform.
The experiment follows a similar feature Spotify launched in August.
