YouTube introduces direct messaging (again)

YouTube is reintroducing private messaging after testing new ways for users to share and “have conversations about” videos last year. in Announcement on her official blogYouTube says it has now begun expanding its video sharing and in-app messaging feature to users in the US and “Other global regions“Who are 18 years of age or older.

However, there are some differences with the new messaging system: YouTube users are required to verify their age before accessing the feature, and they can only talk to someone after sending them an invitation link via third-party messaging platforms. The chat feature can be accessed by tapping the “Messages” icon at the top right of the YouTube app, which will then provide an invite link. The way this system is set up suggests that it tries to keep you chatting with people you already know, rather than encouraging conversations between random YouTubers.

“Our community loves sharing videos with their friends and family, and we want them to be able to do that in one place,” YouTube said in the announcement. “Whether it’s a new music video, a helpful tutorial, or a short, funny video, this update will give users a new way to engage where they watch it.”

YouTube says its Community Guidelines will apply to all shared content and messages exchanged using the feature, and it’s looking to expand “even further soon.”