YouTube Creators Can Now Receive 'Tips' Directly From Fans The feature, which was announced earlier this summer, has quietly launched.

By Laura Entis

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Earlier this summer, Google announced that viewers would soon be able to 'tip' YouTube channel creators "at any time, for any reason."

Slightly over two months later, the feature has quietly launched. As noticed by Android Police, content creators can now accept donations directly on their YouTube pages. For viewers, this means that when you watch a video by a creator that takes tips, you'll see an icon in the left corner of the screen. Hover over it, and it will reveal a 'support' banner. Click on it, and you can choose exactly how much you'd like to donate.

How much money you give won't be made public – only the recipient will see the amount, Google explains, although if you'd like to leave a comment with your donation, it "will have a special badge next to it to let people know you supported (but the amount you selected will not be displayed)."

Related: Here's Why YouTube Video Creators Are About to Make a Lot of Money

Currently, Fan Funding is only available in the U.S., Australia, Japan and Mexico. YouTube takes a 5 percent cut from all donations, plus a small base fee (21 cents, if you donate from the U.S.).

Donations can be made via browser or with YouTube's Android app.

The feature has the potential to drum up quite a bit of money for a wide swath of YouTube creators, the vast majority of whom make almost no money from the platform's pre-roll ads.

"To put it really simply, any viewer can show any creator their love by tipping them," YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said in June. It will be interesting to see how this plays out – if creators are able to generate enough money to fund new projects, YouTube could become a possible competitor to crowdfunding sites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

Related: Spinning Viral Stars Into One-Man Empires: The Rise of YouTube's Multi-Channel Networks

Laura Entis is a reporter for Fortune.com's Venture section.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Nvidia CEO Says '100% of Everybody's Jobs Will Be Changed' Due to AI

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says AI will transform how people get work done.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Google Swoops in to Make a $2.4 Billion Deal With a Startup Previously Promised to OpenAI

Google is hiring the startup's top leadership and paying for licensing rights.

Leadership

I Burned Down My House — and Learned a Leadership Lesson I'll Never Forget

How one fiery mistake shaped my approach to leadership — and can help you too.

Starting a Business

'Consumers Deserve Better': How Superstar QB Patrick Mahomes Is Brewing a Better Future for Coffee Drinkers

Backed by lead investor and 3-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes, Throne SPORT COFFEE is disrupting the $5B ready-to-drink coffee market.

Growing a Business

Why Ethical Luxury Is the Post-COVID Gold — And What That Means for Your Business

Luxury is no longer defined by shine, but rather by story. In a market where meaning outpaces margin, brands built on values are rewriting the rules.