YouTube is reinforcing its commitment to the creator economy through a series of significant updates aimed at improving both the financial potential of live streaming and the creative precision of its short-form video tools. These developments reflect the platform’s ongoing strategy to maintain its competitive edge against rivals like TikTok by offering a more robust and integrated suite of features for creators and viewers alike.
Central to this update is the geographic expansion of YouTube Jewels, the platform’s dedicated digital currency for vertical live streams. Initially launched for creators in the United States who are part of the YouTube Partner Program, Jewels are now becoming available to eligible creators in Canada. This feature allows viewers to purchase and use digital stickers during a live broadcast as a form of appreciation. While the naming convention can be a bit intricate, the system is designed to facilitate seamless fan funding. Viewers buy Jewels to send gifts, which are then converted into Rubies for the creator. These Rubies represent a tangible share of the revenue that creators can eventually cash out, providing a more interactive and gamified way to support live content.
In addition to monetization, YouTube is refining the creative process for its rapidly growing Shorts format. New precision editing tools are being introduced to the mobile composer, allowing creators to exert much finer control over their video elements. Users can now zoom in on specific editing tracks and rearrange individual components with greater ease. This update addresses a common pain point for mobile-first creators who require more granular control than basic trimming tools offer. While these enhanced editing features are currently rolling out to Android users, an iOS release is expected to follow shortly.
The platform is also extending its technological reach into the living room by bringing its conversational AI tool to connected television devices, including smart TVs and gaming consoles. By selecting the new Ask button during playback, viewers can engage with an AI chatbot to learn more about the content they are watching or get answers to specific queries without leaving the stream. Finally, to streamline the administrative experience, YouTube Studio is transitioning the display of Shorts from a traditional list view to a grid format. This change aligns the creator-facing backend with the visual layout of the main app, making it easier for creators to manage their short-form portfolios at a glance. Together, these updates signify a holistic effort to bridge the gap between creation, engagement, and revenue across all hardware formats.