YouTube is introducing new methods to take your money, including an applause feature for live streams and integrated shopping. It's designed to help creators continue to diversify their revenue streams.

YouTube Helps Build Businesses

As detailed on the YouTube blog, YouTube has paid more than $30 billion over the last three years through its Partner Program.

That's not just through traditional ad revenue. Creators on YouTube can make money in many ways, including channel memberships and exclusive live streams.

YouTube also has its own separate schemes, like the subscription service YouTube Premium.

In the post, Neal Mohan, YouTube's Chief Product Officer, highlights a few success stories. These include Anna Yakimenko, a Russian fashion consultant who has doubled her YouTube earnings since launching channel memberships, and duo Rhett and Link, who now employ over 1,000 people in their LA studio.

Now, YouTube is adding new ways to help creators monetize their work.

Applause for a Live Stream

The first addition is an applause feature that lets viewers show their support during a live stream. When purchased, a clapping animation is shown to you over the video.

You can buy four different claps, each more elaborate and fancier than the last—and more expensive, of course.

This is currently only available on computers and the Android app to people in select countries like Australia, Brazil, India, and the US.

Until now, this feature has only been available to some creators. This year, it'll roll out to a wider group.

Shop While Watching

YouTube's blog post notes that consumer shopping habits continue to shift to digital and the company wants to be there to help fulfill that.

That's why it's beta testing a new integrated shopping experience. When watching some videos, you'll be able to buy the products that are featured in it without leaving the YouTube platform.

It's a wise move for YouTube when you consider how many videos revolve around products. Unboxing, reviews, demonstrations, and so on... if viewers are incentivized to make a purchase, and they can do it within a couple of taps from the video, it's likely to be a good money-maker.

There's no specific date for when this feature will roll out, except at some point later in 2021.

Make it Big on YouTube

Tempted to become a YouTube creator? It's a hard job, and only a few will make it big, but if you put in the time and effort then you might get lucky.

It might be worthwhile building a low-cost YouTube studio to help make your content look the best it can.