"Young Love" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who highlighted it as a standout song from "Janet Jackson" and praised its catchiness. It peaked at number 64 on the "Billboard" Hot 100, and was a success on the R&B chart, additionally peaking at number 16 in New Zealand. In order to promote her album, she performed the song on "Soul Train" and "American Bandstand". In recent years, she has included the song on her 2008 Rock Witchu Tour and her performance at the 2010 Essence Music Festival.