Tech

YouTube rolls out handles to channels for easier mentions, engagements

YouTube has introduced ‘handles’, a new way for people to easily find and engage with creators and each other.

As per the report, with this feature, users will be able to use the @username format to mention creators across YouTube Shorts, channel pages, video descriptions, comments, and more. Notably, this feature is not limited to a few creators only, it will be available to all creators on the platform.

According to YouTube, “In order to comment on YouTube, you need to create a YouTube channel – this means even if you primarily use YouTube to watch and comment, you’ll have a handle.”

Handles will appear on channel pages and Shorts so that they will be instantly and consistently recognizable. It will soon be simpler and faster to mention each other in comments, community posts, video descriptions, and more.

“For example, creators can be shouted out in a mention in comments or tagged in the title of a recent collab, helping them increase visibility and reach with new audiences,” the company said in a blogpost.

Over the next month, the platform will notify creators when they can choose a handle for their channel.

“In most cases, if a channel already has a personalized URL, that will automatically become their default handle, or they can opt to change the handle for their channel as soon as the notification in YouTube Studio comes through,” the platform said.

“Because handles must be unique and every channel on YouTube will have one, we are rolling them out gradually,” it added.

The timing of when a creator will get access to the handles selection process depends on several factors, including overall YouTube presence, subscriber count, and whether the channel is active or inactive.

Back to top button