YouTube has introduced a new feature called "Pause," which allows content creators and moderators to prevent viewers from adding new comments while retaining existing ones.
This feature aims to provide a middle ground between completely disabling comments and manually reviewing each comment. The Pause option, available in the video-level comment settings, empowers creators to take control of their comment sections, filtering out negativity and trolls at their convenience.
"We're rolling out a new, optional comment moderation setting called Pause that allows you, as creators, to prevent the creation of new comments at the video level while preserving comments that were already published," YouTube said in a statement.
"This feature has been in experiment for a little while and we're so happy to be able to roll it out to everyone based on the positive feedback we received while testing it," it added.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 12: The YouTube logo appears on screen before a keynote address by Vice President of Global Content Partnerships at YouTube Robert Kyncl at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino January 12, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 13 and features more than 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 140,000 attendees.
New Pause Feature of YouTube
In the statement, YouTube expressed its enthusiasm for rolling out the Pause feature based on positive feedback received during the testing phase. This option is an additional tool for creators to manage their comment sections more effectively and maintain a healthier online environment.
The feature has been designed to offer flexibility and convenience to content creators, allowing them to take breaks from managing overwhelming comments without resorting to a complete shutdown.
The Pause feature is easily accessible through the video-level comment settings located in the upper right-hand corner of the comments panel on the watch page in the YouTube app or YouTube Studio.
Once activated, the Pause setting notifies viewers that all comments have been temporarily halted while still displaying previously published comments. This approach enables content creators to curate their comment sections without losing the valuable contributions from their audience.
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Experimental Phase of Pause
Creators and moderators who participated in the experimental phase of Pause have cited its benefits, highlighting the increased flexibility in managing comments and the ability to take breaks when comment moderation becomes challenging.
Before Pause's introduction, content creators had limited options to control comments, primarily relying on holding comments for review or disabling them entirely.
To enhance user experience and streamline comment moderation, YouTube has simplified the organization and naming of certain comment settings. While the names of these settings have changed, their functionalities remain the same, providing creators with clear choices for managing comments.
The available options include "On" with various moderation settings, such as "None," "Basic," "Strict," and "Hold All," alongside the new "Pause" option and the traditional "Off."
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