YouTube is officially testing something that many users have apparently wanted back for years: direct messages inside the YouTube app.
Yes, real messaging. No more jumping between apps just to share a link or comment on a video with someone.
The feature is currently rolling out only to users aged 18+ in Ireland and Poland, but YouTube says this has been a “top feature request” for a long time. Which is funny, because YouTube actually had direct messages from 2017 to 2019… and then quietly killed them. Now, they’re making a comeback.
What You Can Do With YouTube DMs
According to YouTube, the test lets users:
- Share any YouTube video (long-form, Shorts, livestreams)
- Start conversations directly inside the YouTube app
- Invite others to chat before messaging them
- Block or report users just like on comments
The big catch? Messages are not private in the way many expect. YouTube says messages may be reviewed and scanned for violations of Community Guidelines. This is the same moderation system used for comments and videos, especially for content that could cause “real-world harm.”
So think of it as messaging with built-in community moderation.
Why Bring Back DMs Now?
YouTube hasn’t given a detailed explanation, but it’s easy to guess what’s happening:
- TikTok and Instagram make sharing content frictionless
- Users increasingly share Shorts like memes
- YouTube wants to keep you inside the app longer
- Video recommendations often depend on how content is shared
- Messaging could boost engagement around Shorts and livestreams
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The timing also makes sense as YouTube is leaning even harder into social features, like community posts, profiles, and improved comment tools.
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When Will This Roll Out Globally?
For now, YouTube is calling it an “experiment” and hasn’t shared a global timeline.
If testing goes well, expect it to expand from Europe outward. If not… it may quietly disappear again like the 2019 version.
Either way, this feels like YouTube trying to position itself more like a social platform, not just a video library.
