YouTube has introduced a new way for creators to earn money during vertical livestreams with a feature that allows viewers to buy “Jewels,” a digital currency, to send animated gifts to creators. This new offering is reminiscent of TikTok’s live gifting feature, where viewers use “coins” to send virtual gifts in support of live creators.
When viewers use Jewels to send gifts on YouTube, creators receive “Rubies,” with each Ruby equaling 1 cent. Creators earn $1 for every 100 Rubies. However, the amount creators can earn from gifts can vary because the price of Jewels depends on the bundle options chosen by viewers.
For the next three months, eligible creators will receive a 50% bonus on their earnings from gifts, up to $1,000 per month, in addition to their regular earnings from Rubies. This move aims to compete with TikTok, where creators often earn substantial sums from gifts during live broadcasts. On TikTok, some influencers have earned up to $7,000 a month through gifts during live debates or other popular content.
This feature is only available during vertical livestreams on YouTube, either streamed directly through the platform or via third-party streaming software, and viewers can only send gifts through the mobile app. Creators who activate this feature will no longer have access to YouTube’s “Super Stickers” for monetization.
The new gifting option is being rolled out to eligible creators in the U.S. over the next few weeks, signaling YouTube’s efforts to compete with TikTok’s live-streaming ecosystem and provide creators with more opportunities to earn.
