YouTube has launched a new feature called “Communities” that allows creators to connect with their fans and viewers in a dedicated space. This space is like a Discord server, where viewers can post and interact with other fans directly within a creator’s channel. Previously, viewers were limited to leaving comments on a creator’s video, but now they can share their own content and engage with other fans who share similar interests.
For example, a fitness creator’s community could be filled with posts from fans sharing their own workout videos and photos. This feature is currently only available to subscribers, but YouTube plans to test it with more creators later this year and expand access to additional channels in early 2025.
YouTube’s Director of Product Management, Bangaly Kaba, said that Communities is a place where creators and their fans can come together to build deeper connections and spark conversations. Conversations in Communities are meant to flow over time, like in any other forum-style setting.
This feature is different from YouTube’s existing Community feature, which is a space for creators to share text and images with viewers, but doesn’t allow viewers to interact with each other. YouTube sees Communities as a dedicated space for conversation and connection, while still giving creators control over their content.
The company is testing Communities on mobile devices with a small group of creators before expanding it to more channels. With Communities, YouTube is hoping to reduce the need for creators to use other platforms like Discord or Reddit to interact with their fans.
