YouTube Expands Gift Goals to Drive More Live-Stream Donations

Posted on August 28, 2025
Source: Social Media Today – Latest News by Andrew Hutchinson. Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of YouTube Expands Live-Stream Donations with New Gift Goals Feature

YouTube is testing gift goals, a new feature that allows live-stream creators to set donation targets and offer rewards upon reaching them. This expansion builds on last year’s Super Chat goals by gamifying viewer donations and increasing engagement. Additional features like engagement leaderboards and “Jewels” donations are also being trialed to further incentivize fans. Currently limited to vertical mobile streams in the U.S., this strategy aims to boost creator revenue and community interaction.

Optimixed’s Overview: Enhancing Live-Stream Monetization Through Interactive Donation Incentives

Introduction to YouTube’s New Donation Engagement Tools

YouTube is innovating its live-stream monetization by introducing gift goals, a feature designed to encourage viewers to contribute financially in exchange for exclusive rewards. This approach gamifies the donation process, making it more interactive and competitive for audiences.

Key Features and Benefits

  • Gift Goals: Creators set a donation target within a timeframe and offer a reward once the goal is met, boosting viewer participation.
  • Expanded Accessibility: The feature currently targets vertical live streams on mobile devices, focusing initially on U.S.-based creators with plans for broader rollout.
  • Additional Engagement Tools: YouTube is also experimenting with an engagement leaderboard that ranks viewers by participation and a new “Jewels” donation option, further encouraging competitive giving.

Implications for Creators and Audiences

By integrating these interactive donation mechanics, YouTube aims to strengthen community bonds and increase revenue streams for creators. The competitive aspect motivates fans to contribute more actively, providing them with recognition and exclusive incentives in return.

Conclusion

YouTube’s continued experimentation with features like gift goals reflects its commitment to enhancing the live-streaming experience both for creators seeking sustainable income and audiences looking for engaging ways to support their favorite content. This strategic focus on gamification and community-building could shape the future of live-stream monetization across platforms.