YouTube has announced several new features and experiments aimed at enhancing creator-audience engagement and content promotion capabilities.
Voice Reply Feature Testing
YouTube has launched an experimental feature allowing creators to respond to comments using voice replies. Currently being tested with a small group of creators in the United States, this iOS-exclusive feature enables:
- 30-second maximum voice reply duration
- Preview and re-recording capabilities before posting
- Accessibility through the main YouTube app
- Creator-only responses on their own channels
While creators in the test group can leave voice replies, all users can engage with these audio comments, fostering more personal creator-viewer interactions.
Promote Button Expansion to Shorts
YouTube has extended its Promote button functionality to Shorts content, accessible through both the Shorts Tab and Home tab on desktop. This enhancement offers:
- Streamlined ad purchasing directly through YouTube Studio
- Automated viewer targeting for increased engagement
- Integration with existing VOD promotion features
New Immersive Effects
Adding to its creative tools, YouTube has introduced a new SIMS immersive effect specifically designed for Shorts creators. This feature expands the platform's growing collection of creative effects for short-form content.
These updates reflect YouTube's ongoing commitment to improving creator tools and enhancing the platform's content creation and promotion capabilities.
