Summary
- YouTube’s new in-app chat is getting a wider rollout.
- Chats are invite-only and limited to users 18 and up; only YouTube content can be shared.
- The feature is rolling out now in the US, UK, Brazil, and Singapore.
YouTube has announced that its new chat feature has begun rolling out to a much wider audience, including the US. This wider rollout follows a slow expansion across Europe over the last several months.
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New direct message features in YouTube
YouTube chat may seem like a new concept, but this is actually not the first time YouTube has had the feature. The original chat rolled out in 2017 and was discontinued in 2019. While YouTube never really said why it killed the messaging system, it seems likely that it just wasn’t that popular.
YouTube’s new chat system is pretty simple to navigate. Once it’s enabled for you, you’ll find the messaging icon in the top right corner of the app, where you can access your chats. When watching a video (like one you found with the new Gemini-powered search), hitting the Share button will show a list of contacts you can message.
The feature is (intentionally) pretty restricted, though — it’s only available to users over the age of 18, and, while you can send text freely, media is limited to YouTube videos, livestreams, and Shorts (although you may want to hide those). That means no images, no files, no GIFs — YouTube content only. Additionally, while the feature is readily accessible within YouTube, it works on an invite system that requires jumping through a couple of hoops in order to start a conversation.
Safeguards for YouTube chat
A strict invite system should help avoid spam
You can’t just chat with anyone — you first need to send an invitation link, and that link must be sent through a third-party messaging service (SMS, WhatsApp, iMessage, whatever you like).
The recipient then needs to accept that invite. Once that’s done, they’re added to your YouTube contacts, and you can chat freely. This somewhat cumbersome process ensures that you can’t be spammed by anyone who happens to have your YouTube profile.
Other safety measures
Aside from the invite system, there are some additional guardrails in place to ensure a good chat experience. First, YouTube’s Community Guidelines apply. That means sensitive or violent content is not allowed. You can also block users and report conversations if things do get out of hand. Finally, messages can be unsent at any time.
A slow rollout
Standard Google stuff
While chat is rolling out to the US today, it’s actually been in the works for a while now. In late 2025, YouTube launched these new features to a limited group of users in Ireland and Poland. Then, in March of 2026, the feature was expanded to over 30 countries across Europe, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
With today’s announcement, that process continues, with the service rolling out now in the US, UK, Brazil, and Singapore. The rollout is gradual, so it may be a bit before it shows up in your app.
