YouTube has unveiled Jewels and Gifts, an innovative feature designed to enhance live streams and open new earning opportunities for creators.
This addition is about making vertical live streams more interactive while giving viewers an easy way to show appreciation.
Whether you’re already familiar with features like Super Stickers or are exploring live streaming for the first time, Jewels and Gifts promises to make your vertical streams shine even brighter.
What Exactly Are Jewels and Gifts?
Think of Jewels as YouTube’s new digital currency. Viewers can purchase these in bundles and use them to send gifts and dynamic animations that appear directly on your vertical live streams.
This bundle-based system removes the hassle of purchasing individual items during the stream, making it easier for your audience to express themselves in real-time.
Gifts are more than just flashy animations; they’re a tangible way for your fans to show love and support while adding an exciting visual element to your content.
Unlike features like Super Stickers, which pop up in the live chat, gifts are overlaid directly on your video, blending seamlessly into your content. It’s an eye-catching moment that lets your audience engage while rewarding you at the same time.
How Does It Boost Your Earnings?
Here’s the math: for every 100 Rubies (YouTube’s term for the earnings you generate from Jewels), you earn $1. That’s 1 cent per Ruby, making it straightforward to track your earnings.
But there’s more. To celebrate the launch, YouTube offers a limited-time bonus to eligible creators: for the next three months, you’ll receive a 50% bonus on gift earnings up to $1,000 per month.
For every $100 you earn in Rubies, YouTube will toss in an extra $50! It’s a glittering opportunity to maximise your income while connecting with your fans like never before.
Who Can Use Jewels and Gifts?
Right now, this feature is rolling out to creators in the U.S. who are part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and have accepted the Virtual Items Module in YouTube Studio. Here’s what you need to know:
- Only U.S.-based viewers can currently purchase Jewels and send gifts.
- Gifts can be sent during vertical live streams on the YouTube mobile app, whether you’re streaming directly or using third-party software.
However, if you’re streaming with third-party tools, you might not always see the gifts in real-time. You can monitor your live stream on the YouTube mobile app or check the Live Control Room, where gifts appear as system messages in the chat feed, to ensure you don’t miss anything.
Why Gifts Stand Out
Jewels and gifts take live streaming to the next level, combining real-time engagement with earning potential. This feature encourages deeper connections between creators and fans while making giving and receiving seamless.
Unlike Super Stickers, which appear in chat, gifts overlay directly onto your video, creating an immersive experience. This helps your fans feel more involved while allowing you to enhance your content with real-time reactions. It’s not just about earning. It’s about creating moments your viewers will remember.
Getting Started with Jewels and Gifts
If you’re eligible, enabling gifts is as easy as heading to the Earn hub in YouTube Studio. Accept the Virtual Items Module, and gifts will automatically activate for your vertical live streams. Not sure how to create a vertical live stream? YouTube’s Help Center has you covered with step-by-step guides to get you started.
As a bonus, Jewels and gifts are currently exclusive to vertical live streams, making this the perfect time to explore vertical content if you haven’t already. With live-streaming trends leaning toward short, engaging formats, this could be your chance to stand out.
This feature represents a significant step forward for YouTube creators. It combines the power of monetisation with a heightened focus on audience interaction, bringing creators and fans closer than ever. The simplicity of Jewels and Rubies ensures a straightforward earning process, while the interactive nature of gifts encourages fans to get involved in real-time.
By focusing on vertical live streams, YouTube is tapping into a growing trend where short-form content meets live engagement. It’s an exciting opportunity for creators to experiment with their content while earning more and building a stronger connection with their audience.
We’re excited to see how this feature evolves as Jewels and gifts roll out to more creators. If you’re eligible, now’s the time to embrace the sparkle and let your streams shine brighter than ever.
