YouTube is copying a wildly popular donate feature from TikTok

In a new update announced late yesterday, YouTube made headlines when it launched a feature called “gifts” that works quite similarly to TikTok’s popular “Live Gifting” feature.

Specifically, viewers can send digital gifts during live streams to support creators. YouTube Jewels allows viewers to buy virtual currency to send gifts to creators who appear in real-time during live streams. These digital gifts, purchased in "Jewel" packs, can be converted into "Rubies" for creators, where each Ruby is equivalent to one cent. If a creator receives 100 Ruby, it will be equivalent to $1.

Live Gifting is a feature that has been around on TikTok for a while and works in a similar way to the one described above. Viewers buy “Coins” which they can send as virtual gifts like pandas, sunscreen, etc., each of which has a certain value. These coins are converted into “Diamonds” for creators, which can then be cashed out, although TikTok keeps 1% of these earnings. TikTok’s Live Gifting feature has proven to be a success, helping the platform reach over $10 billion in user spending last year. However, there has been controversy surrounding the idea that Live Gifting can encourage overspending, especially among younger audiences.

YouTube Jewels does have one major limitation: it’s currently only available to creators and viewers in the United States. YouTube also clarified that the feature will only work on vertical live streams via its mobile app. This vertical-only limitation seems to be YouTube’s attempt to bring a more interactive live experience to a mobile-first audience, mirroring TikTok’s success with vertical short-form video content.

YouTube is copying a wildly popular donate feature from TikTok

Whether or not this feature will be a success for YouTube, especially with competition from TikTok and even Twitch (which has had a virtual gifting option for a long time), remains to be seen. But TikTok's proven model shows the potential for real, and not insignificant, revenue, so it's no surprise that YouTube is giving it a try.

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

YouTube is testing music remixes created by AI

YouTube is testing music remixes created by AI

YouTube is testing a new feature that lets creators use AI to remix the style of licensed songs for their short films.

How to Share YouTube Channel Using QR Code

How to Share YouTube Channel Using QR Code

Sharing your YouTube channel access link just got a whole lot easier thanks to a newly introduced feature.

Ways to download Youtube music, download MP3 from YouTube, extract music from YouTube videos extremely easily

Ways to download Youtube music, download MP3 from YouTube, extract music from YouTube videos extremely easily

Downloading YouTube music or downloading MP3 from YouTube helps you put music on your phone or computer to listen when there is no internet, set as ringtone,... With these 12 ways to download MP3 music from YouTube, you will get music from YouTube extremely quickly.

10 Most Popular Types of Videos on YouTube

10 Most Popular Types of Videos on YouTube

While the majority of YouTube's most viewed videos are music videos, there are plenty of other types to choose from. Let's take a look at each of these options!

YouTube changes how it counts views for Shorts: Big impact on the content creation community

YouTube changes how it counts views for Shorts: Big impact on the content creation community

The new policy will take effect from March 31 and is expected to bring more fairness to content creators when comparing video performance across different platforms.

10 Android Apps You Should Delete Immediately to Protect Your Privacy

10 Android Apps You Should Delete Immediately to Protect Your Privacy

Your favorite apps don't just collect information for their own use; they also share it with third parties, all for profit.

Why do some people find hour-long YouTube ads unskippable?

Why do some people find hour-long YouTube ads unskippable?

It only takes a few seconds for the skip ad button to appear on a YouTube video, but sometimes that wait can feel like an eternity.

Many YouTubers Sell Unused Video Footage to AI Companies

Many YouTubers Sell Unused Video Footage to AI Companies

Many YouTubers and other digital content creators are selling their unused video footage to Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies looking for exclusive videos to better train their AI algorithms.

Why are people starting to watch YouTube more on TV than on phones?

Why are people starting to watch YouTube more on TV than on phones?

People used to watch YouTube on their computers, then they mostly watched it on their phones. But today, when people think of YouTube, they think of TV.

Remove Water from iPhone Using YouTube Video

Remove Water from iPhone Using YouTube Video

A YouTube video claims to be able to remove water from your iPhone. Tests show it actually works to some extent.

6 Tasks You Should Do Regularly on Your Windows Computer

6 Tasks You Should Do Regularly on Your Windows Computer

Given the workload that Windows computers handle, they need maintenance to run smoothly. Without regular maintenance, performance can suffer, security can be at risk, and hardware issues can go unnoticed.

YouTube hides countdown timer to skip ads

YouTube hides countdown timer to skip ads

YouTube has just rolled out a change to ad skipping on both desktop and mobile apps.

YouTube Premium Lite lets users remove ads for a cheaper price

YouTube Premium Lite lets users remove ads for a cheaper price

YouTube has a new subscription plan that lets users say goodbye to ads without spending a fortune.

How to turn off YouTube title translation

How to turn off YouTube title translation

Learn how to turn off YouTube title translation with these simple steps. YouTube automatically translating video titles can be inconvenient, and this guide provides effective solutions.

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Craving for snacks but afraid of gaining weight? Dont worry, lets explore together many types of weight loss snacks that are high in fiber, low in calories without making you try to starve yourself.

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

Prioritizing a consistent sleep schedule and evening routine can help improve the quality of your sleep. Heres what you need to know to stop tossing and turning at night.

How to add a printer to Windows 10

How to add a printer to Windows 10

Adding a printer to Windows 10 is simple, although the process for wired devices will be different than for wireless devices.

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

Diet is important to our health. Yet most of our meals are lacking in these six important nutrients.

How to get beautiful nails quickly

How to get beautiful nails quickly

You want to have a beautiful, shiny, healthy nail quickly. The simple tips for beautiful nails below will be useful for you.

The best laptops for students in 2025

The best laptops for students in 2025

Students need a specific type of laptop for their studies. It should not only be powerful enough to perform well in their chosen major, but also compact and light enough to carry around all day.

Ways to reduce the risk of birth defects in the fetus

Ways to reduce the risk of birth defects in the fetus

Birth defects are something no one wants. Although they cannot be completely prevented, you can take the following steps to reduce the risk of birth defects in your baby.

How to check RAM and check RAM errors on your computer with the highest accuracy rate

How to check RAM and check RAM errors on your computer with the highest accuracy rate

As you know, RAM is a very important hardware part in a computer, acting as memory to process data and is the factor that determines the speed of a laptop or PC. In the article below, WebTech360 will introduce you to some ways to check for RAM errors using software on Windows.

Top 5 best automatic home coffee makers

Top 5 best automatic home coffee makers

The automatic home coffee maker is a modern and professional product, bringing you and your family delicious cups of coffee with just a few quick steps.

Difference between regular TV and Smart TV

Difference between regular TV and Smart TV

Smart TVs have really taken the world by storm. With so many great features and the ability to connect to the Internet, technology has changed the way we watch TV.

Why doesnt the freezer have a light but the refrigerator does?

Why doesnt the freezer have a light but the refrigerator does?

Refrigerators are familiar appliances in families. Refrigerators usually have 2 compartments, the cool compartment is spacious and has a light that automatically turns on every time the user opens it, while the freezer compartment is narrow and has no light.

2 Ways to Fix Network Congestion That Slows Down Wi-Fi

2 Ways to Fix Network Congestion That Slows Down Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi networks are affected by many factors beyond routers, bandwidth, and interference, but there are some smart ways to boost your network.

How to Downgrade from iOS 17 to iOS 16 without Losing Data using Tenorshare Reiboot

How to Downgrade from iOS 17 to iOS 16 without Losing Data using Tenorshare Reiboot

If you want to go back to stable iOS 16 on your phone, here is the basic guide to uninstall iOS 17 and downgrade from iOS 17 to 16.

What happens to the body when you eat yogurt every day?

What happens to the body when you eat yogurt every day?

Yogurt is a great food. Is it good to eat yogurt every day? What will happen to your body when you eat yogurt every day? Let's find out together!

Which type of rice is best for health?

Which type of rice is best for health?

This article discusses the most nutritious types of rice and how to maximize the health benefits of whichever rice you choose.