Certainly not YouTube, who just added the ability to message people a video directly within the app.
It’s been available in Ireland and Poland for some time, where YouTube says it's had a positive reception.
A rewind of a past featureIf you could have sworn that YouTube once had this feature, you’re not wrong.
Google introduced direct messaging across many platforms, including YouTube in 2017.
YouTube has been trying hard to make itself a destination for the same type of short-form videos that keep users scrolling for hours.
Who says that you can’t keep in touch with friends and family by just forwarding them a funny video once in a while? Certainly not YouTube, who just added the ability to message people a video directly within the app.
The feature is rolling out right now in the US. It’s been available in Ireland and Poland for some time, where YouTube says it's had a positive reception.
Messaging will now be in 40 countries total. That’s not the end of the road though. “We’re excited for user feedback in new markets and look forward to expanding even further soon,” YouTube wrote in its announcement.
To use messaging, you have to be at least 18 years old and logged into your account. To share videos, shorts, and live streams, you’ll be able to click a messaging icon on the upper right of the screen.
The person you’re sending to will have the ability to allow or decline the invite, which limits spamming and harassment. For the indecisive among us, you can even unsend a message.
A rewind of a past feature
If you could have sworn that YouTube once had this feature, you’re not wrong. Google introduced direct messaging across many platforms, including YouTube in 2017.
It was done away with in 2019, as the company focused instead on public conversations.
Following the trend
Direct messaging on other visual platforms like TikTok and Instagram is a popular feature, so it’s not a surprise that YouTube is getting in on the trend. YouTube has been trying hard to make itself a destination for the same type of short-form videos that keep users scrolling for hours.
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In fact, this announcement comes alongside news from Reddit that it’s added the ability to include videos within direct messages on the platform.
While social media is built on the idea of sharing and the share button remains on YouTube as well as other platforms, companies would rather keep users within their walled gardens of content and advertising.
