YouTube is taking account mentions to the next level

Date:
Wed, 12 Oct 2022 05:00:12 +0000

Description:
Rolling out in phases, the upcoming handles are meant to increase audience engagement and hopefully curb impersonators.

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In an effort to increase engagement between creators and users, YouTube will be adding unique account handles for channels, similar to that found on
social media platforms.

You may know them better as the @ symbol that appears before a username. When this feature launches , youll be able to mention content creators or other users to increase [a videos] visibility and [help it reach] new audiences. YouTube did implement something similar a while back. Creators could shout
out other channels in video titles and descriptions or have people mention other users in live chats, but thats as far as it went.

Handles, on the other hand, will be used in more locations like YouTube Shorts, channel pages, video descriptions, comments, and even in the channels URL. With regards to custom URLs, it appears that Google may be getting rid
of them in favor of handles. A YouTube Help page reveals channels can no longer set up custom URLs or change them, but theyll still be supported when the new feature launches. Launching in waves

Handles will be rolling out in phases, according to YouTube. Throughout the rest of October, creators will be notified (either through email or YouTube Studio) when theyll be able to create their handles so they can claim them before anybody else can. Channels that already have a custom URL will automatically be switched over to the new system. That unique URL will be the handle moving forward.

According to a different YouTube Help page , which channels get first pick depends on a number of factors like presence on the platform, subscriber count, and how active the channel is. Presumably, the biggest channels will
be first. There are also hopes the handles feature will cut down on channel impersonators. YouTube wants to ensure you, the viewer, are interacting with the right creator.

Channels will have until November 14 to choose their unique handles, after which, YouTube will create one for you, but they are not set in stone. At any point, you can head on over to the Handle page and change it. Tik-Tok competition

Looking at this feature, we cant help but feel that this is yet another attempt at competing with TikTok. The platform has its own version of
handles, so it makes sense that YouTube would eventually copy it.

Plus, YouTube Shorts has been pretty successful. Alphabet CEO Sunder Pichat claims the new video format gets over a billion views daily. As a result, YouTube has been consistently supporting Shorts, adding new features almost every month and allowing users to monetize their content.

Compared to Metas Instagram Reels, Shorts is arguably TikToks true rival.
Itll be interesting to see how YouTube continues to build it and what Meta's response will be. Forcing Reels on people has backfired, so a different approach may be in order.

Speaking of Meta, the company recently held its Connect 2022 where it finally revealed Project Cambria, now renamed the Meta Quest Pro headset. Be sure to check out TechRadars coverage of the event .



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/youtube-is-taking-account-mentions-to-the-next- level/


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