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YouTube has introduced a new feature called “Communities” at its Made-on YouTube event, providing creators with a dedicated space to interact directly with their fans. This new feature aims to offer an experience similar to Discord servers, allowing viewers to engage with each other and the creators within a channel.
Communities is designed to help creators build deeper connections with their audience by enabling fans to post content, such as videos and photos, related to the creator’s content. This feature allows for more interactive and engaging experiences, as opposed to the traditional comment sections on YouTube videos. For example, a fitness creator’s Community could feature posts from fans sharing their hiking experiences, fostering a stronger sense of community around shared interests.
The feature is initially available only to subscribers, providing a more exclusive environment for interaction. Bangaly Kaba, YouTube’s director of product management, highlighted the value of Communities as a place where fans and creators can build meaningful connections over the topics they love. The goal is for these spaces to facilitate ongoing conversations and connections, akin to those found in traditional forum settings.
It’s important to note that this new Communities feature is distinct from YouTube’s existing Community tab, which launched in 2016 and is used for sharing updates and images. Unlike the Community tab, Communities allows for interactive discussions among subscribers, marking a significant shift in how creators can engage with their audiences.
Currently, YouTube is testing Communities on mobile devices with a select group of creators. The company plans to expand this testing to a broader group later this year, with a full rollout expected in early 2025.