YouTube Adds New Tipping Feature Called Super Thanks to Attract Creators

YouTube has launched a new way for video creators to earn money from fans through a feature called Super Thanks, as the Alphabet Inc streaming service looks to attract more content makers. The feature, a fourth way for YouTubers to earn money from their viewers, comes as competing platforms like short-form video app TikTok and Facebook Inc’s Instagram are investing heavily to court creators filming viral videos. Recently, donations and virtual tip buckets have become a trending monetization feature among live streaming and video platforms. 

Fans can purchase Super Thanks at four price points, from $2 to $50 (YouTube takes a 30% cut), as a way to express gratitude and support their favorite YouTube channels, the company said in a statement. After purchase on a video page, a highlighted comment will appear in the comment section, allowing the creator to respond to the fan’s gift with a comment.

Here’s a breakdown of other tipping features: 

• Instagram “Badges”: Fans can tip creators who livestream on Instagram using IG Live (creators get 100% of the revenue). 
• Facebook “Stars”: Viewers can tip on livestream gaming videos on Facebook (Facebook’s revenue share that fans pay when they buy Stars varies between 5% and 30%).
• Twitch “Bits”: A virtual good fans can buy and use to “cheer” (tip) their favorite streamers (Twitch’s cut is variable, but generally ranges from 18% to 28% in the US).
• TikTok “Gifts”: Viewers can purchase a virtual icon to tip creators with during a livestream (TikTok’s conversion between dollars and gifts is complicated; for a full explanation read this.)

The feature is available to thousands of creators in 68 countries and will expand to all eligible creators in YouTube’s partner program. Fans have been able to pay for exclusive content through channel memberships. Viewers on a live-streamed YouTube video can also pay for Super Chats to pin their comments to the top of the comment section.