YouTube is expanding its in-app video sharing and messaging functionality to the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Singapore and several U.S. territories, according to the availability list on its help page.
The deployment, announcement in a blog post, allows users aged 18 and over to share and discuss videos without leaving the YouTube app.
It brings back a version of YouTube Messaging removed in 2019, when it required users to share videos through other apps. Since then, sharing a YouTube video usually means sending a link through a messaging app. This update brings some of that activity back to the platform.
How the feature works
Messaging on YouTube works by invitations. You send an invitation link from the new email icon and the recipient can allow or decline. According to YouTube help documentationInvite links expire after seven days.
Once connected, users can share long-form videos, short films and live streams and then discuss them within the app. Messages may not be sent and users may block or report each other.
The feature requires being logged into a YouTube channel with a verified age of 18 or older. It is currently not available for brand accounts.
YouTube’s Community Guidelines apply to content and posts shared, and its systems may scan posts for policy violations. The help page states that the message content will not be used for ad targeting.
Messaging returns after deletion in 2019
YouTube launched its original Messages feature in 2017 and removed it in September 2019. At the time, the company said it would “focus on elevating public conversations” through comments, posts and Stories.
The relaunched version began as an experiment in Ireland and Poland in November 2025, which YouTube described as a “major feature request.” It expanded to 31 European countries in March before this week’s announcement.
Why it matters
Shares are an engagement action that you can see in YouTube Analytics, but the conversations around them have taken place in other apps. In-app messaging moves some of that activity to where you post.
YouTube did not specify whether shares sent via messaging would appear differently in analytics or influence recommendations. The brand account restriction also means that you cannot use the functionality of a brand channel at this time.
Looking to the future
YouTube says it plans to expand the feature further, but hasn’t named upcoming markets or given a timeline.
The deployment appears to be staggered. YouTube’s blog post states that the feature is “starting to develop,” while the help page states that video sharing and messaging are only available in certain countries and are not available to everyone at the moment.
