YouTube Hype announced for smaller, emerging channels

YouTube Hype 24 has been announced as part of the platform’s latest series of product updates. This feature was designed to help smaller, emerging channels.

The key take from this new feature is that it gives viewers a ton of power. This is achieved by actively promoting videos from channels with a button to increase their visibility on YouTube.

The feature was developed in response to feedback from channels with smaller audiences who faced challenges in getting new viewers. YouTube Hype gives audiences a more proactive approach in supporting their favorite creators beyond likes and shares.

As mentioned, it all starts with the new Hype button. However, there are mechanics that go with it. First, it’s only available for videos less than a week (7 days) old from creators with under 500,000 subscribers. From here, users can ‘Hype’ up a video for up to three (3) times per week.

In addition, the YouTube Hype system works on a point-based leaderboard. Here, hyped videos climb rankings based on user engagement. It comes with a weekly top 100 list where viewers on the platform can see the most hyped content available.

Think of it as kind of its own ‘Trending’ feature in comparison to X (fka Twitter). Overall, it does make a ton of sense to expose smaller channels to wider audiences.

Plus, YouTube is implementing a “small creator bonus” as well. This applies a point multiplier to channels with fewer subscribers. As for details on its global rollout, we have yet to uncover further details.

Presently, initial beta testing of the feature has been conducted in Turkey, Taiwan, and Brazil. We only know that its expansion to new markets are dependent on further learnings from these countries.

In other news, YouTube is in the works of developing plans to make additional hypes purchasable. If creators want to go all in with their content, it’s looking like a good addition to the platform so far.

But hey, what do you guys think of YouTube Hype? Let us know in the comment section below!