YouTube Jewels Is a Blatant Copy of the TikTok Gifts Feature
Nov. 14, 2024YouTube is one of the most popular live-streaming services among the likes of Twitch and TikTok. However, YouTube hasn’t caught up to its competitors when it comes to helping creators generate revenue from live streams. This is why the platform has introduced a new type of currency to allow viewers to support creators and express themselves. It is called Jewels, which powers the new Gifts feature that was first teased a few months ago.
The price of Jewels will vary based on the quantity you buy. But according to Google,1 Jewel = 1 cent, so 100 Jewels will be $1. The creators will earn “Rubies” for every gift they receive which makes things more complicated. But I guess that’s the idea as most platforms like Twitch, TikTok, and even Reddit have a similar type of system to show support to creators.
One important aspect to note about the upcoming Jewels currency is thatit will be limited to vertical live streams only. Creators part of the YouTube Partner Program, and accepted the Virtual Items Module will be eligible to receive Gifts and Jewels.
The new currency should go live for everyone in the coming weeks in the U.S. If this experiment proves successful then we could see it expand to regular live streams and more regions very soon. Followed by trials in other regions outside of America.
YouTube has been desperate to generate more revenue on the platform lately. Besides bombarding ads in the free version, this looks like another attempt by the platform to make more money out of its users. But what are your thoughts about this? Let us know in the comments below.
As a tech journalist, I dive into the ever-evolving tech landscape with a particular interest for smartphones, apps, and gaming. With a passion for sharing insights, my articles blend expertise with a friendly touch—think of me as your friendly neighborhood tech support.
