YouTube expands in‑app video messaging to 40 countries

YouTube has officially launched an in-app video sharing and messaging feature across the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, and Singapore, marking a return to private messaging six years after discontinuing its initial attempt. The rollout, announced Wednesday, expands access to users aged 18 and older who are signed into their YouTube channels, bringing the total number of supported countries to 40.

The feature allows users to share videos, YouTube Shorts, and live streams within the YouTube mobile app, alongside a text chat function. Unlike a full-fledged chat service, YouTube is positioning the tool specifically for sharing and discussing content. The company cited user feedback, calling it a top feature request, and positive responses from earlier markets as the reason for the wider expansion.

A significant aspect of the new system is its invite-only design aimed at curbing spam and harassment. Users cannot search for and message others directly within YouTube. To start a conversation, a user must generate an invitation link within the YouTube app and send it through an external messaging platform like WhatsApp, SMS, or iMessage. The recipient has seven days to accept or...