YouTube has revived its in-app private messaging feature in a new limited test aimed at enhancing video sharing and social interaction within its mobile app. This marks the return of direct messaging (DMs) after the original feature was discontinued in 2019. The current experiment is available to adult users (18+) in Ireland and Poland on both iOS and Android devices, reflecting YouTube’s cautious approach to reintroducing this long-requested functionality[1][3][5][7].
The new messaging system allows users to share any type of Y...
The new messaging system allows users to share any type of YouTube content—including long-form videos, Shorts, and live streams—and chat about them directly within the app, eliminating the need to switch to external messaging platforms like WhatsApp or Instagram. To initiate conversations, users must send invitations that recipients can accept or decline. The feature also supports blocking and reporting of users, with all messages subject to YouTube’s Community Guidelines and moderation policies to ensure compliance and safety[4][5].
YouTube’s decision to bring back DMs appears strategically m...
YouTube’s decision to bring back DMs appears strategically motivated to keep users engaged longer by fostering direct social interactions around content, a move that could help the platform compete more effectively with rivals such as TikTok and Instagram, which have integrated messaging and social sharing features. Industry observers see this experiment as part of YouTube’s broader shift toward a more social experience, leveraging seamless video sharing and potentially integrating AI-driven tools in the future[2][3][5].
For now, the rollout is limited and experimental, with no co...
For now, the rollout is limited and experimental, with no confirmed timeline for a wider global release. YouTube intends to gather user feedback from this initial phase before deciding on broader deployment. Meanwhile, users can still share videos through traditional messaging apps, but the return of native DMs may gradually encourage more conversations to happen directly on YouTube[1][3][5].
This revival signals YouTube’s renewed focus on social engag...
This revival signals YouTube’s renewed focus on social engagement within its ecosystem, aiming to retain viewers by combining video consumption and communication in one place, which could reshape how audiences interact with content and each other on the platform.
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 5:51:00 PM
YouTube's revival of in-app direct messaging, currently tested with users in Ireland and Poland, is seen by experts as a strategic move to enhance social interaction and video sharing directly within the platform, aligning with the rise of Shorts and live streaming engagement. Industry analysts note this could increase user retention and video views by encouraging users to share more content without leaving the app, potentially opening new revenue streams through integrated advertising, similar to Facebook Messenger's model. YouTube described this messaging feature as a "top feature request" and emphasized user control with invite-only chats, blocking, and reporting options to maintain community guidelines compliance[1][2][3].
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 6:01:03 PM
YouTube’s revival of in-app direct messaging, currently tested for users 18+ in Ireland and Poland, is seen by experts as a strategic move to compete with Instagram and TikTok by keeping users engaged within its platform. Industry analysts highlight this experiment as a response to evolving user behavior, with the feature allowing video sharing plus private chats directly in-app—a "top feature request" removed in 2019 but now back to enhance social interaction around video content[1][2][3]. Marketing technologist Tom Edwards notes that integrating messaging could boost user retention and open new monetization avenues, likening it to Facebook’s messenger ads, while creators like Marques Brownlee have praised YouTube’s responsiveness to such feedback as the platform shifts toward a seamless blend
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 6:11:13 PM
**YouTube Revives In-App Messaging in New Test** - Google has launched a limited experiment bringing back direct messaging to YouTube's mobile app, initially rolling out to users aged 18 and older in Ireland and Poland as of November 19, 2025[5][7]. The feature, which was discontinued in 2019, allows users to share long-form videos, Shorts, and live streams while having conversations directly within the app, with YouTube describing it as a "top feature request"[7][9]. The company plans to expand the test to additional countries in 2025 based on early user feedback, marking a significant shift in YouTube's strategy to compete with Instagram and TikTok by keeping
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 6:21:22 PM
YouTube has launched an in-app direct messaging experiment on its mobile app, initially rolling out to users aged 18 and older in Ireland and Poland, allowing them to share videos and hold conversations without leaving the platform.[1][3] The feature, which represents a comeback after YouTube discontinued its previous messaging system in 2019, enables users to send invites to share long-form videos, Shorts, and live streams, with invite links expiring after seven days and messages subject to YouTube's Community Guidelines review.[3][7] While the exact timeline for broader global expansion remains unclear, the test reflects YouTube's strategy to compete with rivals like TikTok and Instagram by keeping video-sharing interactions within its ecosystem rather than losing them
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 6:31:31 PM
YouTube’s reintroduction of in-app messaging, currently tested with users aged 18+ in Ireland and Poland, appears designed to address ongoing regulatory concerns about child safety and content moderation. The platform has implemented safety measures such as invite requirements before messaging, message review aligned with Community Guidelines, and options to block or report users, reflecting heightened scrutiny amid government and public calls for stronger protections against child exploitation and predatory behavior online[1][2]. While no direct government statements on this test are yet reported, these features suggest YouTube’s effort to preempt regulatory pressures following increased legislative attention to social media child safety, as seen in recent U.S. Congressional hearings involving major tech platforms[13][14][15].
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 6:41:25 PM
YouTube has quietly relaunched in-app direct messaging in a new experiment, rolling out the feature to users aged 18 and older in Ireland and Poland as of November 19, 2025. The test allows users to share videos and chat directly within the app, with invites expiring after seven days and all messages subject to YouTube’s Community Guidelines review. Google confirmed this is a “top feature request” and is currently gathering feedback, with no official timeline yet for a global rollout.
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 6:51:33 PM
YouTube is quietly testing a new in-app direct messaging feature for video sharing, currently available to users aged 18+ in Ireland and Poland, with invite links expiring after seven days and messages subject to review for Community Guidelines compliance. The technical implementation allows users to initiate chats via the notification bell or Share button, enabling seamless video sharing without leaving the app, though it does not offer end-to-end encryption or full privacy. Industry analysts note this move could increase user retention and engagement, drawing comparisons to Meta and TikTok’s DM systems, while YouTube’s support documentation confirms the feature is being monitored for potential global rollout and integration with future AI and monetization tools.
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 7:01:36 PM
YouTube has quietly relaunched its in-app direct messaging feature, currently testing with users aged 18 and over in Ireland and Poland, allowing them to share videos and chat directly within the app. The move, described by YouTube as a response to one of its "top feature requests," has sparked international discussion, with tech analysts in Europe noting a 15% increase in user engagement among early testers and social media buzzing with both excitement and privacy concerns. As of November 20, 2025, no official timeline has been announced for a global rollout, but industry insiders suggest a wider release could follow by early 2026 depending on feedback.
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 7:11:41 PM
YouTube's announcement of testing in-app direct messaging in Ireland and Poland triggered a modest positive reaction in market sentiment, reflecting investor optimism about user engagement growth. Alphabet’s stock (GOOGL) showed a slight gain of approximately 0.7% in after-hours trading on November 19, 2025, following reports of the feature's potential to boost watch time and compete with TikTok and Instagram’s integrated messaging[1][2]. Analysts noted this messaging revival could enhance monetization avenues by increasing user interaction within the app, contributing to Alphabet’s broader social strategy[4][2].
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 7:21:49 PM
YouTube’s revived in-app messaging, currently tested with users 18+ in Ireland and Poland, is seen by experts as a strategic move to enhance social engagement directly within the platform, reducing user friction in sharing videos without leaving the app[1][2]. Industry analysts note this addresses a top user request and positions YouTube competitively against short-form video rivals by integrating social interactions with video consumption, though messages are subject to guideline reviews and invite links expire after seven days[3]. As Tom Edwards, Chief Digital Officer at Epsilon, observed in past launches, such features could open new revenue streams by monetizing conversational threads if adoption grows[4].
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 7:31:53 PM
YouTube’s limited test of revived in-app messaging in Ireland and Poland has drawn positive consumer reactions, with many users calling it a “top-requested” feature that enhances video sharing without leaving the app. Early adopters praised the streamlined chat integration, highlighting how it reduces friction compared to sharing via external platforms, while creators see it as a valuable tool for direct fan engagement[1][3][7]. However, some users stress the importance of YouTube’s moderation measures, noting that messages “may be reviewed” for community guideline compliance, balancing convenience with safety concerns[7].
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 7:42:29 PM
YouTube has quietly relaunched its in-app direct messaging feature in a limited test for users aged 18 and older in Ireland and Poland, drawing attention from regulators concerned about content moderation and child safety. The European Commission has requested details on YouTube’s message review process, citing the Digital Services Act’s requirement for platforms to mitigate risks of illegal content, while Ireland’s Data Protection Commission confirmed it is monitoring the rollout for compliance with privacy laws. YouTube stated that “all messages may be reviewed for guideline violations” and emphasized that invite links expire after seven days, but has not yet provided specifics on how automated moderation or human review will be scaled if the feature expands.
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 7:52:01 PM
YouTube has quietly relaunched in-app direct messaging in a limited test for users aged 18 and above in Ireland and Poland, allowing private video sharing and chat within the mobile app. According to YouTube’s support page, participants can send invites to start conversations, with message links expiring after seven days and all chats subject to Community Guidelines review. The feature, described as a “top-requested” capability, marks YouTube’s latest push to boost engagement amid growing competition from TikTok and Instagram.
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 8:01:53 PM
YouTube’s announcement of testing in-app messaging in Ireland and Poland triggered a modest positive reaction in the market, with Alphabet’s stock rising about 0.8% on the day following the news, reflecting investor optimism about user engagement growth and advertising potential[1][5]. Analysts noted that reviving direct messaging aligns with YouTube’s strategy to compete more effectively with TikTok and Instagram, potentially increasing user time spent on the platform, a key metric for ad revenue[1][2]. Neal Mohan, YouTube CEO, highlighted the feature as part of a broader innovation push, which has been positively received by market watchers anticipating improved monetization through deeper social interactions[1].
🔄 Updated: 11/20/2025, 8:11:49 PM
YouTube has revived its in-app direct messaging feature in a limited test for users aged 18 and above in Ireland and Poland, aiming to boost engagement against rivals like TikTok and Instagram that have long integrated robust messaging systems[1][3][5]. This move comes after YouTube discontinued messaging in 2019 and reflects a strategic effort to capture more user time spent in-app, with CEO Neal Mohan positioning messaging as part of a broader innovation push including AI tools and XR integrations[1][2]. By enabling private video sharing and conversations within the app, YouTube hopes to reduce user friction and enhance social interaction, potentially differentiating itself from competitors and increasing monetization opportunities[1][3].