YouTube Introduces A New Way for Creators and Fans to Connect to Discord-like “Communities”

In a big step toward bringing creators and fans closer together, YouTube has unveiled “Communities,” a new feature designed to foster interaction directly on a creator’s channel. Announced at the recent Made On YouTube event, this Discord-like space allows creators to engage more deeply with their viewers without relying on external platforms like Discord or Reddit.

What Is YouTube’s Communities Feature?

With the introduction of Communities, YouTube is expanding its platform by giving creators and fans a more interactive space to connect. Traditionally, the interaction between viewers and creators was limited to comments under videos. Now, Communities offers a dedicated forum where subscribers can engage in ongoing conversations, share content, and connect over mutual interests within a creator’s channel.

For example, in a fitness creator’s Community, fans might post their own workout photos, share personal fitness milestones, or even upload videos from their latest hiking adventure. This interactive approach creates a richer experience, allowing fans to bond with each other over shared passions, all within the creator’s YouTube ecosystem.

A New Level of Fan Interaction

Bangaly Kaba, YouTube’s Director of Product Management, highlighted the personal connection that Communities aims to foster during the launch event. He described it as a place for creators to establish stronger ties with their fans, a space where both creators and viewers can engage in meaningful discussions. Unlike existing social media platforms, Communities allow creators to have control over their content while still encouraging organic conversations to develop among fans.

This feature adds a personal touch that wasn’t previously possible on YouTube, allowing subscribers to drive conversations rather than only reacting to content. As Kaba put it, Communities are about “deeper connections over the topics and videos you love.”

Communities vs. YouTube’s Existing Community Feature

It’s important not to confuse this new Communities feature with YouTube’s existing Community tab, which has been around since 2016. The older Community feature allows creators to post updates, text, or images, but doesn’t provide the same level of fan interaction. With Communities, YouTube is elevating the platform into a more dynamic, forum-like environment where viewers can interact with one another, making it a true space for engagement rather than just a one-way communication channel.

Currently in Testing

For now, the Communities feature is only available to a select group of subscribers on mobile devices, but YouTube plans to extend it to more creators later this year. By early 2025, it’s expected that more channels will have access to this feature, bringing the potential for deeper fan engagement to a much broader audience.

What This Means for Creators

Communities gives creators an opportunity to keep all interactions within YouTube’s ecosystem, potentially eliminating the need for additional platforms like Discord or Reddit to maintain fan engagement. By consolidating discussions and fan-generated content under one roof, creators can foster a stronger sense of community while maintaining full control over their channel’s environment. This could also provide creators with more opportunities for growth, as more fans connect and interact directly within their YouTube space.

A New Era of Fan-Creator Engagement

YouTube’s new Communities feature is a clear nod to the growing trend of interactive social platforms, providing creators with a valuable tool for nurturing their audience. It opens the door for a more engaged fanbase, giving them a voice and a place to share their content while deepening their connection to the creator and their channel.

As the platform continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how this feature develops and how creators make use of this new interactive space to build even more robust communities.