YouTube will allow sending "gifts" to creators during lives

YouTube is rolling out a new feature for live streams, taking inspiration from TikTok. The platform will introduce “Jewels” (called “Precious Stones” in some regions) as a gift option during live broadcasts. However, specific conditions exist: these gifts can only be given during vertical (portrait mode) live streams.

This feature was initially announced in September at the “Made on YouTube” event, but no official launch date was provided. Now, it is expected to be available to creators who are part of the YouTube Partner Program in the United States within the next few weeks. There is currently no word on when or if the feature will be expanded to other countries.

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YouTube Gems

YouTube’s new live gifting feature, “Jewels,” is similar to TikTok’s “Coins” system. In YouTube’s case, viewers can send gifts during vertical live streams, which will appear on the screen as “Rubies.” Each Ruby will have a value of $0.01, contributing to the creator’s financial earnings.

Unlike a fixed percentage system, the value of Rubies can vary due to promotional pricing for the “Jewels.” YouTube has stated that special promotions will impact the cost of these gifts, which can lead to variations in how much creators earn per live session.

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In the next quarter, YouTube will offer a 50% bonus on earnings for eligible creators, with a potential bonus of up to $1,000. However, it is unclear if this bonus program will be available in other markets, such as Brazil, when the feature rolls out globally.

Features and Restrictions

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Only available in vertical live streams: The gifting feature can be used in portrait mode lives, whether streamed directly on YouTube or via third-party apps.
Mobile-only gifting: Viewers can only send gifts on mobile devices or tablets through the YouTube app.
Impact on other revenue features: Once gifts are enabled on an account, creators will no longer be able to receive Super Stickers during live streams.

Types of Videos Ineligible for Gifts

The following types of live videos will not support the new gifting feature:

Age-restricted content
Videos made for children
Unlisted videos
Private videos
Streams with YouTube Giving fundraisers
Horizontal (landscape) live videos

Additionally, gifts cannot be sent if the live chat or comments are disabled. To check if your account qualifies for this feature, creators can use the eligibility link provided by YouTube.

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Other New Features

YouTube is also testing another TikTok-inspired feature: an infinite video feed where users can swipe through long videos with a new gesture for more straightforward navigation.

This move underscores YouTube’s push to attract more engagement in live streaming and align with popular trends seen on TikTok.

Source: Google YouTube