YouTube has rolled out a new feature aimed at leveling the playing field and helping smaller creators get discovered: Hype. This community-driven tool gives your viewers a new way to show their support and can provide a significant visibility boost outside of the traditional algorithm.

But how does it work, who is it for, and what do you need to know as a creator? Here’s a complete breakdown of everything we know about YouTube Hype.

What is YouTube Hype?

How it Works for Creators

• Eligibility: The Hype feature is designed for up-and-coming creators. To be eligible, your channel must be in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and have between 500 and 500,000 subscribers.
• It’s Automatic: If your channel is eligible, the feature is enabled by default.
• Opting Out: If you decide Hype isn’t for you, you can disable it in your YouTube Studio settings under Settings > Channel > Advanced settings.
• Notifications: You won’t be notified of every single hype or see who hyped your video. However, you can see the total hype points your video has accumulated. If your video makes it onto the leaderboard, a special badge will appear in the video’s description showing its rank.
• No Self-Promotion: It’s important to note that creators cannot hype their own videos.

The Viewer Experience: What Your Audience Sees

Understanding the viewer’s perspective is key to encouraging them to use the feature.

• Finding the Button: The Hype button is located right next to the Super Thanks button underneath the video player.
• How They Hype: Viewers get three free hypes to use each week, which refresh every Monday. They can use these on a single video or spread them across different videos from eligible creators.
• A Point of Confusion: Based on early feedback, once a viewer hypes a video, the confirmation can temporarily obscure the comment section. Viewers need to swipe to the side to get to the comments, which may confuse some users initially.
• Anonymity & Finality: Hypes are anonymous—you won’t know which specific viewer hyped your content. It’s also a final action; viewers cannot undo a hype.

Demystifying the Hype Leaderboard

The leaderboard is where the magic happens. Here are the key mechanics:

• Local, Not Global: The leaderboard is country-specific. The rankings are determined by the hype activity of viewers within that country.
• Global Hype, Local Ranking: A key insight is that a viewer in one country (e.g., Australia) can hype a video from a creator in another country (e.g., the UK). That video will then compete for a spot on the Australian leaderboard.
• Bonus for Small Creators: The system is designed to give smaller channels a boost. Hypes on videos from creators with fewer subscribers are worth more points, helping to level the playing field.
• Filtering by Topic: Viewers can filter the leaderboard by specific topics like “Gaming,” “Cooking,” or “Cars,” helping them find hyped content relevant to their interests.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to some common questions based on YouTube’s official documentation:

• Are Official Artist Channels eligible? Yes, Hype is available for artist channels.
• What about videos with third-party music? If your video has a copyright claim for third-party music, viewers may not be able to use the “pay to hype” feature (which is currently in limited testing in select markets).
• Can viewers see a history of what they’ve hyped? Yes, they will receive a weekly notification with a recap of the videos they supported.
• Can viewers get a refund for paid hypes? No, paid hypes are considered voluntary and non-refundable.

Why Hype Matters for Your Channel

Hype represents a new and exciting way for your community to directly contribute to your channel’s growth. It’s a discovery tool driven by genuine fan excitement rather than just algorithmic signals.

As a creator, don’t be afraid to mention the feature in your videos. A simple call to action letting your viewers know they can now “hype” your video if they enjoy it can make a big difference.

What are your thoughts on the new Hype feature? Have you seen it in the wild yet? Share your experiences in the comments below!