In June 2008, YouTube added an application, called Collaborative Annotations, to video usage that allowed people to post links on their own videos, add stories, and post commentary at any point during the video. The person who posted the video was the only person allowed to add comments, links, and narration.

As of February 20, 2009, YouTube introduced an updated version of its Collaborative Annotations application. Today, other YouTube users can post comments on your video if you invite them to do so. No longer is YouTube simply engaging—it’s interactive.

The application update allows friends to create speech bubbles, complex narratives, notes, teaching tools, marketing campaigns, and spotlights on your videos.

The Collaborative Annotations tool works to stimulate conversation among audience members and allows you to receive feedback about the message of your video from viewers, colleagues, and friends. And it enables the audience to inform you about positive and negative elements of your video.

When you’re ready to begin using Collaborative Annotations, go to YouTube and click My Videos and copy the Annotations link. Send this link to friends, who can then add annotations to your video. Not crazy about what they write? You can always delete it.

Start using YouTube Collaborative Annotations today, and receive helpful feedback from others. Who knows, you might start doing things differently in response to viewer feedback.

See how effective YouTube’s Collaborative Annotations application can be by watching the video below: