New YouTube Feature 'Hype' Helps Fans Support Small Creators

Image credit: Youtube

YouTube has just rolled out an exciting new feature called Hype, aimed at boosting the visibility of smaller creators and allowing fans to play an active role in their success. Launched during the "Made on YouTube" event, Hype gives creators with fewer than 500,000 subscribers a powerful new tool to grow their audience. Viewers can now use the Hype button to promote their favorite creators' videos, pushing them up a weekly leaderboard in YouTube's Explore section.

Each fan gets three "Hype" votes per week, making it crucial to choose wisely which content to support. As a video receives more Hype votes, it gains visibility on the platform, making it easier for newer creators to stand out in the crowded YouTube ecosystem. Fans can also purchase additional Hype votes, with the revenue going directly to the creators, offering another monetization option.

In its testing phase, Hype has already helped boost 50,000 channels, and with over five million unique Hype votes cast, it's clear that viewers are embracing the feature. Currently, the feature is available in select countries, including Brazil, Turkey, and Taiwan, but YouTube is expected to expand its availability globally soon.

The Hype feature is part of YouTube's broader push to empower smaller creators, moving beyond reliance on algorithms and recommendations.