YouTube’s trying out another way to facilitate creator and fan engagement, with selected creators now able to reply to comments on their video clips with voice notes.
So rather than just reading your replies, they’ll be able to hear them as well, which could be a good way to boost fan engagement.
As explained by YouTube:
“We’re experimenting with a feature that enables creators to reply to comments with their voice. If you’re a creator in the test group, you can click the sound wave icon when responding to a comment > record a voice reply > then post it as a comment. While we gather feedback in the experiment phase, voice replies can only be left by creators on their own channel via the YouTube app on iOS, but all viewers and creators can engage with these comments.”
It’s similar to TikTok’s video replies, which it launched a few years back, enabling creators to facilitate more engagement by responding directly to fan comments with a dedicated video clip.
Audio replies is a lesser version of this, but you can imagine that, for some creators at least, having the capacity to compose an audio response will enhance engagement and connection, by giving commentors a more personal response.
Of course, YouTube already has a more direct replication of TikTok’s video comment replies, with creators also able to post Shorts as responses too. But audio notes adds another element, which may help to provide quicker replies and responses, with similar levels of personalization and engagement.
It’s an interesting experiment either way, which adds another consideration for YouTube creators.
Or it will, if it ever gets a full roll out. YouTube says that it’s testing out voice replies to comments with “a small number of creators in the US.”
Maybe something to consider for your channel in 2025.
