YouTube might launch a comeback for a feature that it pulled almost six years ago. It will allow users to do direct messaging inside the mobile app. The company has opened a tiny pilot that lets some users send videos and chat about them privately. However, this feature is only available for a handful of people in only two countries right now.
YouTube is reintroducing this feature
YouTube is bringing back texting within the app as an experimental feature yet again. The support update claims that it will provide “new ways to share videos.” It will let users send clips and hold conversations inside the app. The pilot is limited to adults in Ireland and Poland for the time being. The company is doing a cautious first step before a wider rollout.
This is not the first time that YouTube has launched in-app messaging. The company launched a DM system in 2017. They shut it down within 2 years as it focused more on public comments. Now, YouTube claims that messaging has been “a top feature request.” They want to test if bringing private sharing back would improve how people use the platform.
However, YouTube will have clear limits to the new chat feature. They have warned that the messages will not be completely private. “Our systems may scan for content that is against these policies, such as content that could cause real-world harm, and we may review flagged content,” YouTube explained. The line made it clear that the company plans to use automated checks and human review to enforce its Community Guidelines inside the chats.
As of right now, YouTube has not given a clear timeline for expansion. The company is still gathering feedback from the pilot programme. They are watching how moderation, technical load, and user behavior will play out before deciding whether to open the feature to more regions.
