How YouTube’s “Hype” Feature is Leveling the Playing Field for Creators

Thursday, August 28, 2025

How YouTube’s “Hype” Feature is Leveling the Playing Field for Creators

How YouTube’s “Hype” Feature is Leveling the Playing Field for Creators

Fans now hold the keys to promoting small YouTube creators with a button, a leaderboard, and real influence. Here’s how to use “Hype” to spark discovery and why it matters for business users, and productivity-minded creators.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

Aug 28, 2025

Have you ever wondered what would happen if YouTube handed more power to fans instead of just algorithms?

Here's a Cool Tip: Use the Power of Hype.

YouTube's new Hype is not another subscribe button or an AI whim.

This is fan-driven promotion with a leaderboard, badges, and real traction.

And as of August 2025, it’s live in 39 countries, from the U.S. and UK to India, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, and more.

If you serve business users or educators looking to boost their messaging, or you’re just a creator trying to get noticed, this is a tip you’ll appreciate.

What You’ll Gain

Help smaller creators (or yourself) break through algorithm noise.
Track real influencer signals, not just views or likes.
Motivate community support with subtle gamification.

What Is the Hype Feature and Why It Matters

Hype is YouTube’s new fan-powered boost for creators under 500,000 subscribers.

Fans can hype up to three eligible videos per week.

When a video gets hyped, it earns points and those points help it ascend a regional leaderboard in the Explore menu.

Fans also get perks: a big red “Hype” button under videos, a “hyped” badge across YouTube, home-feed filtering by hyped content, notifications when your pick is leaderboard-bound, and even a monthly “Hype Star” badge for top supporters .

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

iOS / Android (YouTube app):

Open the YouTube app (iOS / Android).
Open a video.
Tap the new Hype button under Like.
Use your three weekly hypes but spread them wisely.
Go to Explore, tap the Leaderboard or filter your Home feed to “Hyped.”
Creators can open YouTube Studio mobile to see how many points they earned.

fig. 1 - Hype Your Favorite YouTube Creators

fig. 2 - Help Your Favorite Creators Get Discovered When You Hype!

fig. 3 - Browse the Top 100 to Track The Videos You Hyped

Check out Justin and Jess' YouTube channel! They quit their corporate jobs in the summer of 2023 to run their travel blog full time and have adventures (and occasionally, ahem, misadventures). They love exploring the outdoors, finding offbeat experiences, and making videos about it all for you! And don't forget to give them a Hype!

Microsoft Web/Desktop:

Go to YouTube in a web browser, www.YouTube.com.
Watch a video from a creator with under 500K subs.
Look right under the video, beside Like, to find the new Hype button.
Click Hype (you’ll be reminded, max three per week).
If the video’s doing well, you’ll see “hyped” badge or notification.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Empowers fans to directly influence discovery.
Rewards smaller creators with algorithmic boosts.
Adds a gamified element for fans through badges and leaderboards.

Cons:

Limited to three hypes per week per user.
Only applies to creators under 500K subscribers.
Could be gamed by coordinated fan groups.

Configuration Guide

Hype is automatic for eligible creators (under 500K subs) and live in supported countries.

No setup needed.

Creators can toggle off Hype in YouTube Studio settings if they prefer but the default is on for any qualifying channel .

Feature Access

Who qualifies: Creators under 500,000 subscribers, globally, in 39 countries including the U.S., UK, India, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and more.
Subscription: None needed, the feature is free and built into YouTube.
Availability: Live as of August 26, 2025.

Score

Criterion| Score| Justification

Value 8
It genuinely elevates visibility for creators who lack scale—valuable for productivity-minded creators and educators.

Usability 9
One button, simple rules (three hypes/week). Easy for both fans and creators.

Wow Factor 7
Leaderboards and badges add flair, though not earth-shattering.

Total Score: 24 -👍 Good. Worth adopting for most users.

Hype isn’t a game-changer like Shorts or AI dubbing but it’s a clever, fan-powered nudge toward better discovery.

If you’re building a small channel, a community, or pushing educational video content, it’s a tool you should use today.

Key Takeaways

YouTube’s Hype feature hands influence to fans, and visibility to small creators.

Low friction, inclusive, and engaging—this tool reframes how people discover content.

It won’t replace search or algorithmic exposure, but it's a smart, community-powered complement.

Try It Yourself

Don’t just read this.

Go hype your first video now (or ask your followers to hype yours).

Check out and Hype your favorite One Cool Channel videos!

Jump into the leaderboard, watch the badges appear, and make your support count.

If you found this tip useful, subscribe to the newsletter, and share it with colleagues or creators who’d benefit.

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned tech expert, is the mastermind behind www.OneCoolTip.com where he serves as both writer and editor. With a keen eye for simplifying complex tech, Rodger delivers practical advice that empowers readers to navigate the digital world with confidence. Dive into www.OneCoolTip.com for a treasure trove of savvy tips and tricks that keep you one step ahead in tech.