YouTube introduces in-app messenger to selected users

The new feature is designed to keep users inside the YouTube app as much as possible

The new feature is a major development for the YouTube app (ERIC PIERMONT/AFP/Getty Images)

YouTube is reportedly introducing a chat feature to its mobile app, which could make it much easier for users to share videos.

According to Wired, a small group of users already have access to the feature, and can spread it by starting conversations with their friends.

To share a YouTube video, users currently have to to click on the 'Share' button, where they can copy the link or choose the messaging app they want to use to send it.

This method is a little clumsy, and takes people out of the YouTube app. If they switch over to Facebook to post a funny video, they probably won't come back to YouTube for a while, which is obviously a bad thing for the company.

YouTube's 'native' in-app messenger will make it easier for users to share videos, but it'll also keep them inside the YouTube app and encourage more sharing.

When companies like Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter are all competing for users' eyeballs, this new feature could help keep YouTube on top.

The in-app chat platform is just a test for now, but you might get access to it if one of your friends passes it on to you. If it proves successful, YouTube will likely roll it out to everyone.

That means you could soon have yet another chat app on your phone. Irene Chang's 'Chat Bot Club' app can't come soon enough.