NEW YORK, Nov 20: YouTube has begun testing a direct messaging feature on its mobile app, allowing users to share videos and chat with each other directly within the platform, the company said on Tuesday.

The feature, described on a support page by TeamYouTube, enables users to send long-form videos, Shorts, and live streams to contacts and hold private conversations without leaving the app. YouTube said the test is currently limited to users aged 18 and older in Ireland and Poland, calling it a “top feature request.”

YouTube originally offered a messaging function in 2017 but removed it in 2019. The new experiment uses an invite-based system: users must send and accept invites before starting a chat, and recipients can decline requests. Invite links remain active for seven days. Users can also block or report contacts.

“All messages are subject to YouTube’s Community Guidelines,” the company said, adding that messages may be reviewed to prevent content that could cause real-world harm. Users can continue sharing videos via other apps even while using the new messaging feature.

The feature is integrated into YouTube’s video-sharing interface. While watching a video, users can tap the Share button, select a contact who has approved their invite, and begin chatting directly on the platform.

YouTube did not provide a timeline for expanding the feature beyond Ireland and Poland. The company said the test is part of ongoing efforts to improve user engagement and provide new ways to share content, complementing existing tools such as comment sections, Community posts, and live chats.