YouTube brings back private messaging for users aged 18 and over in the US
YouTube's new in-app messaging lets users share and discuss videos with people they already know
YouTube is bringing back private messaging, rolling out an in-app video sharing and chat feature to users aged 18 and over in the United States and select global regions — six years after the platform quietly dropped its original direct messaging function.
The company confirmed the expansion in an announcement on its official blog, describing the move as a response to one of its most frequently requested features.
A feature with a complicated history
YouTube first introduced private messaging in 2017, only to discontinue it in 2019 in favour of public-facing features, including an Instagram-style Stories function — which was itself shut down in June 2023. YouTube began testing the revived messaging capability in November 2025, at the time calling it a "top feature request" from its community.
How the new system works
The updated messaging feature differs meaningfully from the original. Users must verify their age before gaining access, and conversations can only begin after one party sends an invitation link to another person through a third-party messaging platform. Once accepted, the chat can be accessed by tapping the "Messages" icon at the top right of the YouTube app. The structure of the system is designed to keep interactions between people who already know each other, rather than enabling unsolicited contact between strangers on the platform.
What YouTube says
The company framed the relaunch as a way to bring video sharing and conversation into a single space. "Our community loves to share videos with their friends and family, and we want them to be able to do it in one place," YouTube said in its announcement. "Whether it's a new music video, a helpful tutorial, or a funny Short, this update will give users a new way to share right where they're watching."
YouTube confirmed that its community guidelines will govern all content and messages exchanged through the feature, and said it plans to expand availability to further regions soon.
