YouTube's in-app messaging service is now live in Canada

[midian182]

YouTube has ambitions beyond being just a video-sharing site; the Google-owned company is looking to take on the likes of Facebook with its own in-app messaging service. The feature has been in an invite-only testing phase since the middle of last year and is now rolling out to all Canadian users of the Android and iOS app.

Most people share YouTube videos using a variety of external platforms and services by copying and pasting links, but the update will make the practice possible within the app itself. The system also allows users to engage in conversations about the clips with their friends and family. Ultimately, YouTube hopes this will tempt people away from the likes of Messenger and WhatsApp.

The service isn’t solely used for sharing videos; it also functions in the same way as a standard messaging service, able to share links and other content from across the web.

All shared videos will appear in the Shared tab, which displays videos that friends have shared and lets you quickly show off some of your own favorites.

Canadians share more videos than anywhere else in the world –  around 15 percent extra compared to an average user – making the country a perfect testing spot. And, as noted by TechCrunch, having a total addressable population of around the size of California means there's less risk if the feature doesn't become widely used.

There’s no word on when a wider rollout is expected, but non-Canadian residents can get an early look by asking their Northern friends to add them to a conversation. Check out the video below to see the messaging service in action.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/67836-youtube-app-messaging-service-now-live-canada-but.html

 

[andrewdoyle88]

I got the notification last night that it went live, surprising us Canadians got it first. It seems like every app I have on my phone has a built in chat function; I guess it makes sense for Youtube to have one. When I click on the chat button I have no contacts, it's asking me to add from phone book or send invitation link. Now when you click on the share button on a video it brings up 'Share on Youtube' (still no contacts) and also share the link via facebook messenger, text, etc. I rarely share a Youtube video to someone so I think it's still more efficient to share via text or messenger.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

I doubt I'll ever take much interest in it simply because I don't watch multimedia on my mobile devices unless it comes in the shape of a forwarded video from someone in my list on WhatsApp.

 

[Kunming]

Oh look, another established service with an identity crisis.

 

[Nobina]

That is the last thing we need. There are plenty of messaging apps as it is and Google has their messanger app and hangouts app already. What's next? Google Maps messaging app for when you wanna give someone directions?

 

[GyratingIndy]

Not bad, I'm willing to give this a go since I like the idea. But JESUS CHRIST if this is made by the same people that are responsible for the app updates. YouTube is literally the shittiest, most annoying, most inconsistent app on Google Play. They keep outdoing themselves in terms of how crappy they can make their app with each update.