The experimental feature launched in Europe last year.
YouTube’s experimental Direct Messaging feature for mobile is now available in the United States. The Google-owned video-sharing platform began testing DMs late last year in Ireland and Poland, before expanding to more European countries in March. Now you can also try it if you are 18 or older in the United States. This isn’t the first time YouTube has introduced a direct messaging feature. He started one in 2017, then removed it two years later, in 2019, to encourage more public conversations in the comments section.
In its announcement at the launch of its renewed efforts to bring DMs to its platform, YouTube said this was a major feature request. This deployment builds on the positive feedback received from countries where it is available in recent months. To use this feature, simply tap the Messages button you’ll see in the top right corner of the YouTube app, then tap “Invite to Chat.” You can send the invitation to anyone on the platform you want to speak to, and they will have the power to choose whether to accept or decline it.
You probably already use a ton of messaging apps — I know you do — but the idea is to make it easier to share YouTube videos and Reels with your friends. That said, YouTube makes it clear that you’ll still be able to easily send videos through your other apps, even though you’re now part of the experience. YouTube says it will expand DM testing even further, so it may be available to you in the future if your country doesn’t yet have access.
