YouTube is testing a new emoji reactions feature

Reactions based on emojis have been the trend of the last few months on messengers. Offered on Telegram and more recently on WhatsApp, the feature is of interest to YouTube. Google’s streaming platform is studying the possibility for users to add reactions in the form of emojis at specific moments in a video. With this option, YouTube said want to offer “a new way to interact with videos”.

The possibility of reacting with emojis is trendy on social networks and messengers. It allows you to react easily and quickly to a message; whether on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. On YouTube, reactions have so far consisted of liking (or disliking) or leaving comments on a video. The platform now wants to go further by offering to share a reaction (smiling face, confetti, etc.) at a specific moment in a video. This last element is important and is similar to the option currently available for comments.

How it works ?

The site already offers to quote a specific passage in the comments by integrating a timecode. For its test, YouTube explains: “You can react and see the reactions of the viewers by opening the comments section of the video and going to the reaction panel. The test will also show you the moments other viewers react to (these reactions will be anonymous – we won’t show who sent each reaction)”.

The firm adds that it is testing different types of reactions and that it will add, or remove, depending on the feedback. For the moment, we can find a face with tears of joy, a heart, a shocked face, confetti, the perfect score emoji (100), a question mark, a light bulb… or a screaming cat. Note that the experiment concerns a limited number of channels without providing more details.

Google does not specify when the experience will be extended to all users of its platform. In the meantime, YouTube is adding free series and movies to its catalog.