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YouTube’s ‘Hype’ Feature That Boosts Smaller Creators Launches Globally

YouTube’s Hype feature that boosts smaller creators launches globally, marking a major step in helping emerging talent gain visibility. Originally announced at Google’s Made on YouTube event in 2024, the feature is designed to give passionate fans more ways to support their favorite creators while helping fresh content rise above the noise.

Image Credits:YouTube

What Is YouTube’s Hype Feature?

Hype is a dedicated button that appears just below the familiar “like” button on YouTube videos. Fans can use it to directly support creators with fewer than 500,000 subscribers, making it easier for smaller channels to break through YouTube’s algorithm-driven ecosystem.

With this rollout, Hype is now live in 39 countries, including the U.S., U.K., India, Japan, Korea, and Indonesia.

How Does the Hype Feature Work?

Viewers can hype up to three videos per week. Each hype adds points to a video, increasing its visibility on a new leaderboard within YouTube’s Explore tab.

To keep things fair, YouTube gives smaller creators an extra boost — the fewer subscribers they have, the more weight each hype carries. This levels the playing field, ensuring newer voices get noticed faster.

New Badges and Fan Engagement

Videos boosted by fans will display a “Hyped” badge, helping them stand out. Users can even filter their YouTube Home feed to only see hyped videos.

Dedicated supporters aren’t left out either. When a hyped video nears the leaderboard, fans will receive notifications, rewarding them for being early supporters. Plus, loyal fans can earn a monthly “Hype Star” badge, showcasing their role in helping creators grow.

Why YouTube Introduced Hype

YouTube explained that Hype was created because fans wanted to play a bigger role in their favorite creators’ success stories. By giving viewers direct influence, the platform deepens creator-fan relationships and keeps communities more engaged.

At the same time, YouTube is exploring future monetization opportunities. Eventually, fans may be able to purchase additional hypes, turning this feature into a new revenue stream for both creators and the platform.

Why This Matters for Smaller Creators

For years, smaller YouTubers have struggled to get discovered due to the sheer volume of content on the platform. With Hype, fans now have a practical way to amplify content they love, giving talented but lesser-known creators a better chance to go viral.

This global rollout signals YouTube’s ongoing commitment to creator-first innovation, ensuring that new voices aren’t drowned out by the biggest channels.