YouTube has announced the global expansion of its innovative “Hype” feature, designed to amplify emerging creators and help them gain visibility on the platform. Initially unveiled at Google’s Made on YouTube event in 2024, the feature is now live in 39 countries;
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.
Yes, 9ja no follow “yet” but this “Hype” feature allows fans to actively support creators with fewer than 500,000 subscribers by “hyping” their videos. A dedicated “Hype” button, positioned below the familiar “Like” button, enables viewers to boost up to three videos per week.
Each hype contributes points to the video, increasing its chances of appearing on a new ranked leaderboard accessible via the Explore menu.
To ensure fairness, YouTube has implemented a system where smaller creators receive a larger boost, the fewer subscribers a channel has, the greater the bonus per hype.
New Features to Enhance the Hype Experience
YouTube has introduced several enhancements to make the Hype feature more engaging for both fans and creators:
For Fans:
Dedicated Hype Button: Located directly under videos, making it easy to show support.
Hyped Badge: Videos that receive hypes display a “hyped” badge across the platform, increasing their visibility.
– Home Feed Filter: Users can filter their Home feed to view only videos in the “hyped” category.
– Leaderboard Notifications: Fans are notified when a video they’ve hyped is nearing the leaderboard.
– Hype Star Badge: Dedicated supporters can earn a monthly “hype star” badge to showcase their loyalty.
For Creators:
– YouTube Studio Analytics: Creators can track hypes and hype points for each video directly in the YouTube Studio mobile app.
– Hype Card and Weekly Recaps: A new “Hype card” in video analytics provides detailed insights, with weekly recaps included in data stories.
Future Plans and Revenue Opportunities
YouTube is already working on additional features to further enhance the Hype experience. In the coming months, the platform plans to introduce interest-specific leaderboards for categories like gaming and style, allowing fans to discover rising stars in their favorite niches.
Additionally, a feature to share hyped videos will be rolled out, amplifying visibility even further.
The company is also exploring monetization opportunities. Currently, YouTube is testing paid hypes in Brazil and Turkey, allowing fans to purchase additional hypes beyond the free weekly limit of three.
This could create a new revenue stream for both YouTube and creators, fostering deeper fan engagement.
A Game-Changer for Emerging Creators
The Hype feature stems from YouTube’s recognition that passionate fans want to play an active role in their favorite creators’ success. By giving viewers the power to influence which videos gain traction, YouTube is leveling the playing field for smaller channels that often struggle to stand out against larger, established creators.
The feature does not affect YouTube’s recommendation or search algorithms, ensuring that hypes are solely for leaderboard rankings and community support.
With its global rollout, YouTube’s Hype feature is poised to reshape how emerging creators connect with audiences. Fans are encouraged to discover and support the next big stars, making a tangible impact on the future of YouTube’s creator ecosystem.
For more information, visit YouTube’s official blog or explore the Hype leaderboard in the YouTube app’s Explore menu.
