This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
Google's decision to discontinue various services has left many users questioning the company's reliability. The latest casualty is YouTube's private messaging feature, which has been in use since 2017.
Introduced on mobile apps before being integrated into the web version, the feature allowed users to share videos with friends and others online without requiring personal numbers or social media handles. This unique feature kept users engaged on the app, making it a convenient way to share content.
Although Google has not provided a clear explanation for terminating the feature, it is evident that its low usage was a contributing factor. However, the online reactions suggest that the feature was actually popular among young users, leading to speculation about whether YouTube was aware of this and chose to discontinue it anyway.
As users adapt to the loss of this feature, they may find themselves relying more heavily on other platforms like WhatsApp, Twitter, or Instagram DMs to share videos. The question remains whether Google will consider reviving the feature in the future, especially if it gains popularity.
Meanwhile, some users are expressing relief at the potential demise of other features, such as Community Posts and Stories, which they find cluttered and annoying.
