YouTube is expanding the availability of its dedicated community space feature, Communities, to more creators on the platform. This move aims to provide creators with more opportunities to connect with their fans without needing to lean on another platform like Discord. The feature, which was first launched during the Made for YouTube event last fall, allows creators to write posts with images and text, while also enabling fans to start discussions.

Communities is currently only accessible via mobile devices, and creators can monitor and moderate the feature via a Community Hub in the YouTube Studio app. This hub combines the activity from their channel and also offers suggestions for replies to fans. According to YouTube, the company has been testing Communities with a small group of creators and has received positive feedback, which is why they're excited to expand access to more creators.

In addition to the rollout of Communities, YouTube is also renaming its previously existing Community tab to Posts. This change is aimed at keeping things clear between the two features. The Posts tab will continue to function as it does today, allowing creators to share updates and announcements, and viewers to engage by commenting on those posts.

Creators will still need an invitation to access Communities, which will come in the form of an email and a banner on their channel pages on the YouTube app. Once received, creators will be invited to "Go to Community" to learn more and then enable the feature.

This expansion of Communities is a significant move by YouTube to provide creators with more tools to engage with their audiences. As the platform continues to evolve, it's likely that we'll see more features and updates aimed at fostering community and interaction between creators and their fans.

The rise of community-driven platforms like Discord has highlighted the importance of community building for creators and influencers. By providing a dedicated community space within the YouTube platform, the company is hoping to give creators more control over their online presence and provide a more seamless experience for their fans.

As YouTube continues to roll out Communities to more creators, it will be interesting to see how the feature is adopted and used. Will it become a key part of the YouTube experience, or will creators continue to rely on other platforms like Discord? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: YouTube is committed to providing creators with the tools they need to succeed, and Communities is a significant step in that direction.