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YouTube is ditching the Messages option next month
YouTube introduced a Messages option back in 2017, allowing users to privately message each other on the video-sharing service. Now, Google has decided to remove the feature after September 18.
“Two years ago, we launched a feature to enable you to share videos via direct messages on YouTube. Since then, we’ve also focused on public conversations with updates to comments, posts, and stories,” Google wrote on the YouTube support page (h/t: 9to5Google).
Read: YouTube in numbers — Monthly views, most popular video, and more
“We’re constantly reevaluating our priorities and have decided to discontinue YouTube’s native direct messaging feature while we focus on improving public conversations.”
The ditched feature means you’ll need to share videos with a friend via another social media or messaging platform. Then again, I’m not sure about you but I don’t think I ever used YouTube’s Messages feature, preferring to share clips via WhatsApp instead.
In any event, you can visit this link to download all your YouTube chats if you so desire, and you can download the YouTube app via the button below.
Previous YouTube updates
Topic selector tool to improve recommendations
June 26, 2019: Google has decided to add a topic selector tool to YouTube’s homescreen and Up Next sections. The tool will allow users to choose categories and topics that interest them, with YouTube then serving up relevant videos. The categories and topics shown by the tool are determined by your watch history and subscriptions.
YouTube is also allowing users to find out why a particular video is being promoted to them, then choosing to ignore the channel. (via the three-dot menu on said video).
Users can try out lipsticks showcased by beauty vloggers
May 28, 2019: YouTube is reportedly working on the ability to try lipstick in its mobile app, using augmented reality to bring the feature to life. The app will allow users to try lipstick samples seen in beauty videos from specific partners. Users will see a “try on lipstick” button which opens your selfie camera and applies virtual lipstick.
Google tweaks YouTube design
May 2, 2019: YouTube is getting a tweaked design on mobile and desktop, and it’s meant to cut down on distracting elements. The company adds that it’s using a framework called Polymer for the tweaked design, saying it’ll allow for features to be added at a faster pace.
Fact checks for suspicious searches
March 7, 2019: YouTube has started a new notification system that pops up fact checks when people perform searches using flagged terms. For example, someone could be looking up whether or not a particular drug is safe, unaware of the fact that there’s an online hoax happening related to that drug. In that person’s search results, an “information panel” will appear which will give that user some helpful information.
Comments disabled on videos featuring minors
February 28, 2019: Google is disabling YouTube comments on nearly every video on the platform which features at least one minor. According to the company, Google is instituting the huge alteration to YouTube comments due to “predatory behavior.”