To start this journey, we talked to the people who matter most: creators and their fans. We wanted the inside scoop: what they loved, what they didn’t, and what was missing.
We heard they want more ways to connect with each other; that creators, their content and communities are already on YouTube, so we have the potential to be the best place for deeper conversations too.
Another consistent theme was the desire for belonging – people want a place where they feel included and understood by like-minded peers. We recognize the importance of balancing vibrant engagement with an environment where you can express yourself authentically, whether you’re sharing something, asking a question, or just hanging out.
Creators also told us they wanted more control over their communities, from deciding who can post to setting clear guidelines for behavior. They need the ability to take a break without feeling guilty, knowing their community can momentarily continue in their absence.
With all of this feedback in mind, we narrowed in on our goals: the space had to be open and welcoming, but also intimate and personal. It had to feel like an extension of the creator’s channel. And, it had to be easy for newcomers to step in, even if they’d never been there before.