YouTube tests 'Hype' feature to boost video rankings

YouTube is experimenting with a new "Hype" feature, allowing viewers to enhance a video's visibility by increasing its chances of appearing alongside other hyped videos of the week.

Announced as an extension of the Like and Share functions, Hype aims to support smaller creators.

The feature has notable limitations. Hypes won't influence YouTube's search and discovery algorithm and are only applicable to videos published within the last seven days. The experiment targets YouTube Partner Program content creators with fewer than 500,000 subscribers, intending to help these smaller creators gain more support and discover new audiences.

Hyped videos will appear in a new "Explore" section, separate from the Trending feed. Currently, the Hype feature is being tested in Brazil, Taiwan, and Turkey. YouTube has not yet confirmed whether Hypes will be a paid action like Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks, which could further benefit creators financially.