At the Made On YouTube event on Wednesday, YouTube unveiled a new feature called “Communities,” designed for creators to engage more deeply with their fans. This new space functions similarly to a Discord server, integrated directly into a creator’s channel, allowing for richer interaction without relying on external platforms like Discord or Reddit.
In Communities, fans can post and connect with each other directly within a creator’s channel, moving beyond the limitations of just leaving comments on videos. For example, a fitness creator’s Community could showcase posts from fans sharing videos or photos from their recent outdoor adventures.
Initially, this feature will be available exclusively to subscribers.
“You know that feeling, that magic, that joy that comes from finding a group of people that just get you,” said Bangaly Kaba, YouTube’s Director of Product Management. “Communities is where you can create that connection with your fans, fostering deeper interactions over shared interests rather than just exchanging updates or ideas. Subscribers will now have the opportunity to initiate their own discussions with you and each other.”
YouTube envisions Communities as a dedicated space for ongoing conversation, while still allowing creators to maintain control over their content. The platform aims for these interactions to develop over time, akin to a traditional forum.
It’s important to note that Communities is distinct from YouTube’s existing Community feature, which has been available since 2016 and only allows creators to share updates without enabling viewer-to-viewer interaction.
Currently, YouTube is testing Communities on mobile with a select group of creators, with plans to expand the trial later this year and roll it out to more channels in early 2025.
Source: youtube (YouTube Communities feature)
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