YouTube is testing a new private messaging feature for adult users in Ireland and Poland, marking its first attempt at in-app direct communication since shutting down DMs in 2019.
TLDR:
- YouTube is testing in-app messaging for users aged 18 and above in Ireland and Poland
- The feature allows video sharing via chats, including Shorts and live streams
- Safety controls like invites, message reviews, and user blocking are in place
- YouTube aims to boost engagement and reduce reliance on external messaging apps
What Happened?
YouTube is quietly testing a new in-app private messaging system that allows users to chat and share videos without leaving the platform. The test, now live in Ireland and Poland, is restricted to users aged 18 and over, with a focus on safety and moderation. This marks YouTube’s first return to direct messaging since the feature was removed in 2019 due to declining use and growing safety concerns.
YouTube Reopens Private Messaging After Six Years
After years of relying on public comments and external platforms for video sharing, YouTube is giving direct messaging another shot. Users in the test markets can start private or group chats directly from the Share button on any video, including Shorts and live streams. These chats open in a full-screen interface, allowing replies with videos, emojis, or text.
YouTube explained that this feature has been a long-requested tool among users who currently rely on apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, or iMessage to send YouTube links. By streamlining this experience, YouTube hopes to boost session times and content circulation within its app.
YouTube tests an in-app private messaging feature again https://t.co/X5ML8fL7OV
— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) November 20, 2025
How the New Messaging Feature Works
Users can start conversations in two ways:
- Tap the Share button under any video and choose who to message
- Or tap the notification bell and use the “Invite others to share videos” option
Before messaging begins, users must send an invitation, which the recipient must accept. These invites expire after seven days, and users must be 18 or older to participate. YouTube has deliberately built privacy and safety into the design, reflecting past missteps.
Key Safeguards Include:
- Message reviews under YouTube’s Community Guidelines
- Unsend option for messages
- Ability to block or report contacts
- Invitation-only chats to avoid unsolicited messages
This cautious approach is designed to limit abuse, especially since the original DM system was removed partly due to child safety issues. YouTube is clearly drawing lessons from that period by keeping this new version adult-only for now.
Why Ireland and Poland?
Choosing Ireland and Poland for the test allows YouTube to monitor user behavior and safety metrics in smaller, more manageable markets. Both countries offer:
- Strong mobile engagement
- Mature regulatory frameworks around digital safety
- A controlled environment for testing without the noise of a global audience
If metrics such as share initiation rates, repeat sessions, and moderation success prove solid, YouTube may gradually roll the feature out to other countries.
What It Means for Creators and Users
For creators, the messaging test could be a game-changer. It enables:
- Frictionless sharing of new content
- More direct fan interaction
- The chance to build tight-knit communities around niche topics or events
For viewers, it’s all about convenience. Instead of copying a link and switching apps, they can start a thread within YouTube, title it something like “Watch this later” or “Weekend Picks,” and keep the conversation going inside the platform.
A Strategic Move to Compete
YouTube’s experiment comes at a time when competitors like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and even Spotify are emphasizing in-app conversations. Meta has invested heavily in private sharing across its platforms, and YouTube does not want to lose ground.
This test is also part of a bigger push to make YouTube more of a social ecosystem, especially with the rise of Shorts and AI-curated content. Direct messaging could add the stickiness needed to keep users engaged and reduce dependence on external apps.
Daily Research News Takeaway
I think this is a smart and overdue move from YouTube. Sharing videos should feel effortless, and bouncing between apps to do that always felt clunky. Bringing conversations back into the platform could help users stay longer and share more. But YouTube has to get the safety part right, or this feature might vanish again like it did in 2019. If they can strike the balance, in-app messaging could genuinely change how we engage with videos, especially for creators looking to build community without sending fans elsewhere.
