YouTube has announced the ‘Communities’ feature for interaction between creators and viewers at its ‘Made On YouTube’ event. This new feature will save creators from resorting to platforms like Discord and Reddit. Initially, this feature will be available only to subscribers and more channels will get access in early 2025.
YouTube recently held its “Made On YouTube” event, where the company announced a space for interaction between creators and their fans and viewers. This space will be called ‘Communities’, which will work like a Discord-like server in the creator’s channel. The feature aims to save creators from having to resort to other platforms like Discord and Reddit to connect with their audience. In this new space, viewers will be able to post and interact with other fans in the creator’s channel. Previously, viewers could only leave comments on the creator’s channel. It is important to note that the new Communities feature is different from YouTube’s existing Community feature. The existing Community feature launched in 2016 gives creators a space to share text and images with viewers, but does not feature viewer-to-viewer interaction.
Now the Communities feature allows users to share their content within the creator’s Community to connect with other fans who share the same interests. For example, a fitness creator’s Community can have fans share videos and photos of their recent hikes. Initially, the feature will be available only to subscribers.
The company sees Communities as a dedicated conversation and connection space where creators can retain control of their content. YouTube says conversations in Communities will evolve over time, resembling any other forum-style setting.
At the moment, YouTube is testing the Communities feature with some creators on mobile devices. The company plans to roll it out to more creators by the end of this year and aims to give more channels access to the feature in early 2025.
YouTube’s Product Management Director Bengali Kaba said during the event, “Communities are where you can build deeper relationships with your fans. It’s a place where you and your fans can build deeper connections around the topics and videos you love. Now, for the first time, subscribers will start their own discussions with you and each other.”
