YouTube has reintroduced its direct messaging (DM) feature, which had been absent for six years. The announcement, made on Wednesday, follows a six-month testing phase that began earlier in 2023. In November 2025, Google characterized DMs as a “top feature request” from users.
The DM feature allows users to share videos via a new messaging icon within the YouTube app. Users will be able to send invites to friends to share content, with the option for recipients to accept or decline the invites, a measure aimed at reducing spam. Users must be over 18, have their age verified, and be signed into a personal YouTube channel linked to their Google Account to utilize the DM functionality.
YouTube first launched direct messages in 2017 but removed them in 2019, citing a decision to “reevaluate our priorities” in favor of enhancing public interactions like comments and posts. The reintroduced feature is currently rolling out in the U.S., UK, Brazil, and Singapore, following its earlier availability in several European countries, including Spain, Ireland, Croatia, France, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany, Greece, Austria, Poland, and Belgium since March 2023.
YouTube has stated that its Community Guidelines will apply to all content and messages shared through DMs. Content sent via direct messages will be moderated under the same policies as public content, including reviewing flagged material.
The return of direct messages on YouTube is seen as overdue, given that many other social media and video platforms, including TikTok and Instagram, already offer similar features.
