India, Nov. 20 -- YouTube is once again experimenting with private messaging, a feature it previously added, removed, and is now trying to revive as it looks to rival platforms like Instagram and TikTok in keeping users inside its ecosystem.

According to a new support page, YouTube has started testing in-app direct messaging (DMs) for users aged 18 and above in Ireland and Poland. The feature allows people to share videos and chat about them directly within the YouTube app, instead of jumping to WhatsApp, Instagram, or other platforms.

This isn't the first time YouTube has tried to introduce private messaging. Back in 2017, the platform rolled out a similar DM feature, only to shut it down in 2019, saying it wanted to focus on public co...