YouTube is launching a new way for creators to earn money during vertical livestreams, the company announced Thursday. Viewers can now purchase the digital currency “Jewels” and send “gifts” to creators. Gifts are animations that appear on screen during vertical live streams.
If this sounds familiar, it's because it's similar to TikTok's Live Gifting feature, where viewers can purchase “coins” to send gifts of various monetary values to support live creators while they stream.
When viewers use Jewels to send gifts on YouTube, creators earn Rubies. Creators receive 1 cent for every ruby. That is, the creator receives 1 dollar for 100 rubies. Since the price of Jewels on YouTube varies depending on the various bundle options, the effective revenue share is not fixed, meaning the amount of Rubies you earn can fluctuate.
For the next three months, eligible creators will receive a 50% bonus of gift earnings (up to $1,000 per month) on top of their regular earnings from Ruby.
Image credit: YouTube
Creators can only receive gifts when streaming directly on YouTube or vertically using third-party streaming software, and viewers can only send gifts through the mobile app.
YouTube allows viewers to support livestreamers through “super stickers” in the chat tab, and this new feature is a direct response to the popularity of gifting on TikTok Live.
TikTok creators make thousands of dollars by going live and receiving gifts from viewers. For example, some teens made up to $7,000 a month debating for or against Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in live battles on the platform. Additionally, many NPC streamers earn thousands of dollars per day by receiving gifts during their livestreams.
YouTube says eligible creators will no longer have access to Super Stickers if they enable gifts on a vertical livestream. The Google-owned company says it believes gifts are a better way for viewers to visually support their favorite live creators.
The new monetization option will roll out to eligible creators in the US in the coming weeks.