Have you ever wished you could do more than just like a video? What if your enthusiasm could literally help your favorite creators rise to fame? Well, YouTube just dropped a bombshell that could change everything for creators and fans alike!

On Tuesday, YouTube announced the global rollout of its exciting new feature called "Hype," designed to give a leg-up to emerging creators. Imagine a button that cuddles up close to the classic “like” button, giving fans the chance to help their beloved creators gain visibility. First unveiled at Google’s Made on YouTube event in 2024, this game-changing feature will be available on videos from creators with fewer than 500,000 subscribers. Yes, you heard that right!

Spanning across 39 countries – including the U.S., U.K., Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and India – the Hype feature allows viewers to hype up to three videos per week for their favorite creators. Each time you hype a video, it earns points, catapulting it up a newly ranked leaderboard accessible via the Explore menu. And here’s the kicker: YouTube's algorithm aims to get smaller creators noticed by giving them a more significant boost when their videos are hyped. Talk about leveling the playing field!

When a video gets hyped, it proudly displays a “hyped” badge, making it stand out in the sea of content. Fans can even filter their Home feed specifically to see only the hyped videos. Plus, if a video you hyped is nearing the leaderboard, you’ll get a notification. You can even earn a cool “hype star” badge every month, showcasing your dedication to supporting your favorite creators.

You might be wondering why YouTube decided to implement this feature. The answer is simple: it recognizes that passionate fans crave a deeper connection to the success stories of their beloved creators. But let’s be honest, this isn't just about goodwill; YouTube is also eyeing a shiny new revenue stream. They have plans to allow fans to purchase additional “hypes” in the future—because who doesn’t want to help their favorite creators reach new heights?

Looking ahead, YouTube is also working on hype leaderboards tailored to specific interests like gaming or fashion, giving fans even more ways to engage. Creators can keep tabs on their hypes and hype points through the YouTube Studio mobile app, complete with a new Hype card in their video analytics. Get ready, creators—this is your moment!