YouTube direct messaging service, not the most popular way to chat for a large number of users, is set to fade out soon. The Messages service is being pulled from Android, iOS, and the Web, Google announced in a support post on its site.
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. We're constantly revaluating our priorities and have decided to discontinue YouTube's native direct messaging feature while we focus on improving public conversations.
In August 2017, YouTube introduced a 'Messages' feature for its mobile apps and later the Web. Two years later, the Google video site announced that it's killing the built-in chatting functionality next month.
The direct messaging feature is a quick way to share videos directly on YouTube. It supports both individual and group conversations, with the last major update in May 2018 when YouTube Messages was rolled out to the Web.
YouTube might have decided to focus on its public conversations (comments, posts, stories) instead of private messages.
As a replacement, Google simply advises users to share links in other social networks. YouTube killing Messages is unlikely to cause an outcry -- unlike Hangouts Classic -- with many learning about or remembering that the feature existed today, the report added.
Though some people may have used YouTube Messages to promote their channel or to share videos with family members and friends, it’s clear this usage hadn’t gone mainstream. Otherwise, YouTube wouldn’t be walking away from a popular product.
YouTube says users will still be able to share videos through the “Share” feature, which connects to other social networks.
The company declined to comment beyond what it shared on the forum post.