YouTube introduces a revenue-generating feature in order to attract creators

YouTube launched a new feature called Super Thanks on Tuesday that allows video creators to earn money from fans, as the Alphabet Inc streaming service seeks to attract more content creators.

The feature, which adds a fourth way for YouTubers to earn money from their viewers, comes as competing platforms such as TikTok, a short-form video app, and Facebook Inc’s Instagram invest heavily in courting creators who film viral videos.

Fans can purchase Super Thanks at four different price points ranging from $2 to $50 as a way to express gratitude and support their favourite YouTube channels, according to a statement from the company.

Following a purchase on a video page, a highlighted comment will appear in the comment section, allowing the creator to respond with a comment to the fan’s gift.

The feature is currently available to thousands of creators in 68 countries and will be expanded to all eligible creators in YouTube’s partner programme in the near future.

Through channel memberships, fans have been able to pay for exclusive content. Viewers of a livestreamed YouTube video can also pay for Super Chats to have their comments pinned to the top of the comment section.