The old YouTube Community tab that’s been around for nearly a decade is getting a new name: Posts.
YouTube is taking another major step in strengthening creator-fan engagement by expanding access to its Communities feature—a dedicated space designed to foster discussions, share updates, and create a deeper connection between content creators and their audiences. This move eliminates the need for creators to rely on third-party platforms like Discord, keeping their fan interactions within YouTube’s ecosystem.
What Are YouTube Communities?
Initially introduced at the Made for YouTube event last fall, Communities is an exclusive mobile-only feature that enables creators to engage with their audience in a more dynamic way. Unlike the standard Posts feature (formerly known as the Community tab), Communities provide a richer, more interactive experience.
Through Communities, creators can:
- Share text-based updates and image-based posts
- Enable fan-led discussions within their channel space
- Moderate conversations through the Community Hub in YouTube Studio
- Receive AI-powered suggested replies for easier audience interaction
The feature was initially rolled out to a small group of creators, and YouTube reports overwhelmingly positive feedback. As a result, the company is now expanding access to more creators, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the platform’s social and interactive features.
How Is This Different from YouTube’s Existing Posts?
To differentiate between the two features, YouTube is renaming its previous Community tab to Posts. While this tab will function as it has in the past—allowing creators to share updates, announcements, and engage with comments—Communities will serve as a more interactive space where both creators and fans can initiate discussions.
Essentially:
- Posts: Works like a traditional social feed where creators publish updates and viewers can comment.
- Communities: Functions as a discussion-driven space, where both creators and fans can start conversations, reply, and engage on a deeper level.
This distinction aims to reduce confusion and provide more clarity on how creators can interact with their audience across different formats.
How Can Creators Access YouTube Communities?
At this stage, Communities is still an invite-only feature. YouTube is gradually rolling it out to more channels, and invitations will be sent via email notifications and channel banners within the YouTube mobile app. If a creator receives an invite, they’ll see an option to “Go to Community”—leading them to an onboarding experience where they can enable and explore the feature.
The Bigger Picture: YouTube’s Push for In-Platform Engagement
By expanding Communities, YouTube is making a strategic move to keep creators and their audiences engaged without relying on external social platforms. Historically, many YouTubers have used Discord, Patreon, or Twitter to build deeper relationships with their fan base. However, Communities offers a native alternative that integrates seamlessly into the YouTube experience, reducing friction and making it easier for creators to consolidate their audience interactions in one place.
Moreover, YouTube has been actively experimenting with new social features—such as AI-powered comment moderation, post-scheduling, and monetization options for community-driven interactions. This expansion signals that YouTube is investing heavily in transforming its platform into a more comprehensive social space, beyond just video content.
What’s Next for YouTube Communities?
As Communities continues rolling out, YouTube plans to gather feedback and refine the feature further. Potential future enhancements may include:
- Monetization opportunities (exclusive community perks, memberships, or super chats within discussions)
- Expanded availability beyond mobile devices to desktop users
- Integration with Shorts and Live Streams for real-time engagement
For now, creators who receive an invitation should seize the opportunity to explore Communities and leverage it as a powerful engagement tool to strengthen their audience relationships.
Final Thoughts
YouTube’s Communities feature represents a significant shift in how content creators interact with their fans. With its expanding rollout, more creators will soon be able to build active, discussion-based spaces without needing third-party apps. If you’re a YouTuber, keep an eye out for your invitation, and get ready to create a more engaging and immersive fan experience—right on YouTube.
Stay tuned for further updates as YouTube continues refining this game-changing feature!
