YouTube is introducing an expanded version of its goals feature to encourage more live-stream donations. The platform is testing a new “gift goals” option, which allows creators to set a donation target and reward their audience once the target is reached. The feature is designed to make live streaming more interactive and to encourage viewers to contribute.
In a statement, YouTube explained: “We’re experimenting with gift goals, a new feature that expands the goals feature to vertical live streams. Creators in the experiment will be able to set a target gift amount and pick a timeframe to achieve the goal before sharing it with their viewers. With gift goals, creators get a new way to engage with their audience and build community.”
Gift goals are currently being tested on vertical live streams on mobile devices in the United States. The company has not yet announced when the feature will be available in other regions, but wider expansion is expected in the future.
Building on existing donation tools
The launch of gift goals builds on YouTube’s previous introduction of goals for Super Chat, which allows streamers to set engagement milestones and rewards for their audiences. By extending this concept to all live-stream creators, YouTube hopes to increase participation and encourage viewers to support their favourite content creators.
Gamifying the donation process is an effective strategy for the platform. YouTube has been exploring several new tools to boost engagement, including an engagement leaderboard that ranks viewers by activity levels and a donation feature called “Jewels.” These additions provide viewers with more ways to support creators, while also creating a sense of competition among fans.
By encouraging competitive donations, YouTube aims to help creators generate more revenue from their streams. Viewers are incentivised not only to contribute but also to showcase their support publicly, creating a more interactive and community-driven environment.
Strengthening the creator ecosystem
The expansion of gift goals is part of YouTube’s broader effort to strengthen its live-streaming ecosystem and offer more opportunities for creators to earn income. With the continued growth of live streaming, the platform is investing heavily in features that enhance engagement and foster community building.
For creators, these tools provide a range of ways to monetise content while offering fans a more personalised experience. For YouTube, this strategy helps solidify its position as a leading platform for live content, ensuring creators have strong incentives to remain active on the platform.
While the feature is currently limited to creators in the US, the company has confirmed that further rollouts are planned. If successful, gift goals could become a key part of YouTube’s live-stream monetisation strategy, offering creators new ways to connect with and reward their audiences.
