YouTube has taken a significant step towards enhancing user experience and content moderation. On December 7, the company announced the rollout of a new comment moderation setting known as “Pause,” offering creators and moderators an effective way to manage and filter comments on their videos.
The Pause feature allows content creators to temporarily disable new comments while keeping existing comments visible. This innovative tool provides a middle ground between completely turning off comments and manually reviewing each one. By hitting the Pause button, creators gain more control over their video discussions, giving them the flexibility to address trolls and negativity when it suits them best.
To access the Pause option, creators can navigate to the upper right-hand corner of the comments panel on the watch page in the app or within YouTube Studio. Once activated, viewers will see a notification under the video indicating that all comments are paused, along with the visibility of existing published comments.
The Pause feature has been in testing since October, with feedback from the experiment group indicating positive results. Creators reported feeling less overwhelmed by the volume of comments and expressed appreciation for the increased flexibility provided by the Pause setting.
In addition to the introduction of Pause, YouTube has revamped the names of some comment moderation settings to make them more user-friendly. The new names, such as “On,” “None,” “Hold All,” and “Off,” aim to simplify the understanding of each tool’s functionality. For instance, the “Basic” setting holds potentially inappropriate comments for review, while the “Strict” option puts a broader range of potentially harmful comments on hold.
This move aligns with YouTube’s ongoing efforts to foster a safer and more positive environment for creators and viewers alike. By providing tools like the Pause feature and improving the clarity of moderation settings, YouTube aims to empower creators to manage their communities effectively and cultivate healthier online spaces.
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