This fall 2024, YouTube has not been idle. The online video giant took advantage of its annual “Made on YouTube” event to announce a series of new features that should delight both creators and their audiences. An overview of the main new features coming to the platform.
“Communities”: the new fan HQ on YouTube
The most striking new feature is undoubtedly “Communities”. A sort of mix between a forum and a Discord server, this dedicated space will allow subscribers to a channel to interact with each other and with the creator, by sharing content, commenting, and exchanging on their common passions.
The idea is to foster a sense of belonging and connection within the communities that naturally form around YouTube channels. Creators keep control over moderation to preserve their brand image. All without leaving the YouTube ecosystem, a good way for the platform to keep engagement on its site rather than see it migrate elsewhere.
Currently being tested on mobile with a small group of creators, the Communities feature should be rolled out more widely in early 2025. Enough to give players like Discord or Patreon the shivers?
“Hype”: a helping hand for small creators
Another interesting new feature: “Hype”. This voting system will allow the community to “hyper” (highlight) videos from creators with fewer than 500,000 subscribers, to give them more visibility. The most “hyped” videos of the week will appear in a dedicated ranking.
A way for YouTube to help small creators emerge against the platform’s behemoths. The feature, already successfully tested in several countries, should arrive soon for everyone. Eventually, fans will even be able to buy additional “Hypes”, opening a new source of income for creators.
More interactive lives with the “Jewels”
Livestreams are not left out with the arrival of “Jewels”. Viewers will be able to react live by sending these “jewels” which will be used to buy gifts for the streamer. A way to make lives more interactive and allow the public to support their favorite creators even more directly. It is a transposition of Twitch Bits.
An improved experience on connected TVs
Recognizing the growing importance of viewing on the big screen, YouTube has also planned improvements to its app on connected TVs. Creators will soon be able to organize their videos into seasons and episodes and display immersive trailers on their channel page. Enough to offer a more fluid and engaging experience from your living room with an Apple TV.
AI is invited into creation
Artificial intelligence, the must-have tech trend of 2024, will also be coming to YouTube. Automatic dubbing of videos in different languages will be extended, while the creation of virtual backgrounds using AI is coming to YouTube Shorts via a partnership with Google DeepMind.
More and more advertising, despite criticism
Finally, YouTube intends to continue to push advertising on its platform, despite recurring criticism from users about the omnipresence of ads. The platform will generalize the ads that appear when you pause a video. An experience that adds to classic ads without replacing them, to the great displeasure of those who cannot afford a Premium subscription to get rid of them.
With these announcements, YouTube intends to consolidate its dominant position in the online video universe, by strengthening engagement and monetization on its platform. See you in the coming months to discover these new features and judge for yourself whether they keep their promises.
