Sometimes with the relentless growth of YouTube, the behemoth of video platforms, we forget that over 65% of total videos uploaded have less than 100 views. There has been and always will be a disproportionately high number of small creators for every large YouTube creator. This is why YouTube has just introduced a new feature aimed squarely at smaller creators: YouTube Hype. Now, with YouTube Hype, small creators have a new tool to level the playing field—or at least get a boost.
YouTube Hype is designed to provide more visibility for creators with smaller followings, empowering their fan base to have a direct hand in promoting their favorite channels. Here's Rob with all the know-how!
In essence, this feature allows viewers to "hype" videos, offering creators a better shot at discovery, and making it easier for their content to be seen by larger audiences. But what exactly does this mean for small creators, and how does it work?
In this post, we’ll dive deep into the mechanics of YouTube Hype, explore its potential benefits and limitations, and discuss how this new feature might reshape YouTube’s ecosystem for smaller channels.
So, what exactly is YouTube Hype and how does it work? In short, it's a form of fan engagement designed to help creators gain visibility. But unlike the traditional "like" button, which is relatively passive, Hype is an active and impactful form of support. Viewers can “hype” a video, giving it a special kind of acknowledgment that carries more weight than just a like.
A like on YouTube is essentially a quick, low-commitment way to show appreciation for a video, but it doesn’t necessarily move the needle when it comes to exposure. Hype, on the other hand, is much more meaningful. When someone "hypes" a video, it awards Hype points, which directly contribute to the video’s visibility on YouTube’s new leaderboards. These points can propel smaller creators to the forefront, where they can potentially gain a much-needed audience.
This means that while large creators can still gather likes and engagement through sheer volume, smaller channels might now have a fighting chance to stand out—especially with the right fanbase hyping their content.
Every time a viewer hypes a video, they aren’t just offering moral support—they’re contributing valuable Hype points. Unlike likes or comments, these points accumulate and play a significant role in where a video lands on the newly introduced country-specific leaderboards. Appearing on one of these leaderboards could be a game-changer for small and mid-sized creators, offering them a shot at mass exposure that the platform’s algorithm doesn’t always provide.
Think of it as an upvote system that specifically benefits lesser-known creators. The leaderboard system means that a top-performing hyped video has the chance to be featured in the Explore section, where new viewers can discover it. Essentially, Hype points provide small creators with opportunities for visibility they wouldn’t have otherwise.
YouTube Hype isn’t a free-for-all. There are important limitations that creators and viewers need to be aware of, which ensure the system remains fair and beneficial to smaller channels.
First, only videos that are less than seven days old are eligible for Hype. This rule is significant because it encourages fans to hype new content, giving fresh uploads the chance to gain momentum quickly. In an ecosystem where older, viral content can overshadow newer videos, this time-limited feature is a way to inject some fairness into the equation.
Another key aspect of YouTube Hype is that it’s designed to be a scarce resource. Viewers can only hype three videos per week, making it a more thoughtful and intentional action. This scarcity encourages fans to choose wisely, often reserving their Hypes for smaller channels they genuinely believe deserve a boost. As a result, YouTube has cleverly turned Hype into a limited, strategic resource, rather than a free-for-all that could easily be manipulated by larger channels.
Here’s where things get really interesting for smaller creators: the number of subscribers a channel has directly influenced the value of each Hype. Smaller channels receive a multiplier effect, meaning that each Hype is worth more points than it would be for larger, more established channels.
This ensures that even if a small creator doesn’t have a huge following, the Hypes they receive can still propel them onto the leaderboard—making it a real opportunity for those who are just starting or have niche audiences.
As exciting as YouTube Hype is, there are some limitations worth noting.
One of the most important things to understand about Hype is that it does not affect YouTube’s recommendation algorithm. This means that while Hype can boost a video’s visibility on leaderboards, it won’t necessarily increase its likelihood of being recommended in the traditional YouTube feed or search results. Essentially, Hype is a separate metric that influences leaderboard placement only, making it a unique pathway for discovery but not an all-encompassing solution for growth.
Read More: Understanding the YouTube Algorithm in 2024
YouTube has also announced that there are plans to allow viewers to purchase additional Hypes in the future. While this could create a new revenue stream for creators, it also raises concerns. Will the ability to buy Hypes turn this feature into a pay-to-win system, where those with deep pockets have an unfair advantage? The feature is still in beta, and this monetization aspect hasn’t been fully implemented, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.
In a survey done by YouTube of 2,500 viewers ages 18-45 from the US, Japan, and Germany, over 75% of respondents and over 80% of Gen Z viewers said they would like to help small and medium-sized creators grow their channels. There’s no denying that the YouTube Hype feature has some serious potential for smaller creators. Here are the main ways it could benefit small and mid-sized channels:
Perhaps the biggest benefit of YouTube Hype is its potential to help small creators get discovered. With the leaderboard feature giving visibility to hyped videos, small channels that might have previously been buried in YouTube’s algorithm now have a fighting chance to be seen by a wider audience. This could be a game-changer for channels that are just starting or have niche content.
By giving fans a tangible way to support their favorite creators, YouTube Hype encourages deeper fan engagement. In a world where likes and comments can feel somewhat passive, Hype offers a more active way for viewers to show their support. This could foster stronger community bonds, where fans feel a sense of ownership and pride in helping their favorite creators succeed.
If YouTube goes ahead with its plans to allow viewers to purchase additional Hypes, this feature could become a new revenue stream for small creators. While there are concerns about the fairness of a pay-to-win system, there’s also the potential for small creators to benefit financially from dedicated fans willing to invest in their success.
Read More: Just Got Monetized on YouTube? 4 Tips to Boost Your AdSense Revenue
Despite its promising benefits, YouTube Hype also raises some concerns that small and mid-sized creators should consider.
One of the primary concerns with YouTube Hype is the potential for exploitation. Could bots be used to inflate Hype points artificially, or will wealthy creators simply buy their way onto the leaderboards? While YouTube has safeguards in place, the risk of manipulation is real—especially once monetization comes into play.
It’s also important to note that Hype does not address some of the fundamental challenges that small creators face, such as increasing watch time or growing subscriber counts. For creators under 500 subscribers, for example, Hype alone might not be enough to generate the kind of traction needed to sustain long-term growth. It’s a tool, but it’s not an all-encompassing answer.
Currently, YouTube Hype is in beta testing in select countries, with 50,000 unique channels receiving over 5 million Hypes in just four weeks. This rapid engagement speaks volumes about the enthusiasm surrounding the feature, but it’s still early days. It’s a great way for viewers to become more engaged with your content and directly contribute to your growth.
As YouTube continues to refine this feature and roll it out globally, small creators should be optimistic about the possibilities—but cautious about potential pitfalls. Ultimately, YouTube Hype could be a step in the right direction for leveling the playing field on the platform, helping small creators thrive in a highly competitive space.
Read More: 10 Things Every Small YouTube Channel Can Improve
In addition to being an avid movie and gaming enthusiast, Uttaran Samaddar is an experienced writer who has lent his creativity and unique perspective to various publications. He loves hearing and telling stories.
