The new feature, YouTube Voice Reply, has been rolled out. The feature is currently in beta phase and available to selected creators. The YouTube Voice Reply feature enables creator to respond to audience comments using the voice reply feature. The feature is to make audience-creator interaction more personalized. In this blog, we will discuss the YouTube Voice Reply Feature in detail, explore its future applications, and attempt to answer the question of whether creators should utilize this feature.
What is YouTube Voice Reply
As discussed the Voice reply feature let’s creator reply to audience comments using there voice. The feature is available in smartphones only and that too IOS. YouTube gave access of this feature to few selected creators.
They just have to go in comments section and choose a comment to reply. When they click on reply button, the mobile keyboard appears. There creators get to see the voice reply icon. They can tap on that icon, record their message and click send. The users can listen to this comment along with other audience.
The voice comment form creator goes public ones it gets posted. Although they can delete it anytime and if the creator makes the video private the comments will be unavailable.
How YouTube Voice Reply Feature Different From Text
On surface level it’s the difference is just text and voice. But the Voice reply feature adds more depth to the response. The voice has a human connection. When creator will response to comments using there voice, the audience will feel more connected.
Well, the response you get from creator over text also gives audience a feel good sensation, but there is no doubt that people get skeptical about it. Many people believe the responses are from team members of creators and the creator doesn’t even know about the comment.
In the comments section viewers give feedback, show appreciation and tell their thoughts. The YouTube Voice Reply feature makes the reply more authentic and personal. This will make the creator-audience bond stronger and add meaning to it.
Additionally, the feature is quick and accessible. The feature is available in many social media apps and users on those platform love to use voice reply just because it’s quick and easy to communicate.
How Creators Feel Using YouTube Voice Reply
One of the creators who have used this feature is Thio Joe. He showcased the feature by replying to one of the comments. The feature seems interactive but it’s more one sided, the users are not able to add voice comments. They might feel out of conversation. Since the feature is in beta phase many users are positive that they will able to add voice comments.
The creators can only use the feature on phones, on desktop they can only see transcripts of the voice message. Which is not fulfilling the intended touch of the feature.
YouTube add these features to enhance YouTube experience of both creators and Viewers. For example YouTube launched AI powered updates. Such as AI powered search carousel, relevant filter, audience segment.
Why YouTube Voice Reply Feature Is Added
Let’s see some possible reasons why YouTube has launched this feature:
Personal Connection: The voice feature is added to increase a personal connection. Voice adds depth to replies. A users feels good when their liked creator reverts on their comment.
Engagement: Since viewers feel more connected they are more likely to comment which will increase the engagement of the creators.
Trends: The feature itself can be a trend many people will like to hear their favourite creators voice.
Less Toxic: The comment section can be toxic for some creators, the feature can highlight the cyber bullies and prevent the comment section hate and unthoughtful comments.
User experience: Many YouTube users like to scroll and read comments while consuming content.
Long story short, YouTube is experimenting with the feature and look for users feedback. Since the feature is available to selected users in US only. They can shut down the feature if users didn’t like or users are excited to see the implementation they can scale up the feature to more region.
Conclusion
The new YouTube voice reply feature is provide to some creators in America. The creators can now replies to viewers comment using voice reply. In the blog, we have seen what is the new feature of YouTube, how it is different from the text comment feature, some practical use cases and why YouTube voice reply feature is added. At last, as a creator you must be aware about every feature YouTube is planning to pre-plan your content strategy. Many features from YouTube will roll out. You can subscribe to VeeFly Newsletter to know every update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How to reply in YouTube comments?
You can reply by going in comments section and click on reply button on the comment you want to reply.
Q2. How do I enable replies on YouTube?
Open YouTube Studio and in content tab look for the thumbnail of the video. In the Show more options go to comments and ratings. Click the save button.
Q3. How to reply a heart on YouTube?
In the comment section, click on reply and look for smile face emoji, click on that and you will multiple options look for heart and click on it and hit reply button.
Q4. Why can’t I reply to comments on my YouTube channel?
There are comments which are flagged by YouTube, which are there and soon be disabled. You can’t comment on them.
Q5. What is the great reply for YouTube comments?
Giving a heart might be simple yet great reply a creator can give to his audience.