Google is testing a new feature called Hype on YouTube, aimed at boosting the audience reach for creators with smaller channels. Reports from the portal 9to5Google describe this early experiment as a way to give greater visibility to videos from smaller creators who are building their audiences.
Hype is designed for channels with up to 500,000 subscribers. The feature lets viewers promote videos that were posted within the last seven days, potentially accelerating how quickly new uploads gain traction. In practice, a video that benefits from more hype can attract additional views and engagement, helping it rise in visibility alongside other popular content.
At present, Hype is accessible to viewers in Brazil, Türkiye, and Taiwan. The mechanism mirrors how other forms of engagement, such as likes and comments, can influence what content surfaces in recommendations and trending sections. The more viewers use Hype to promote a video, the higher the chance that video will appear in prominent listings or recommended feeds.
YouTube’s developers indicate that feedback from users during the testing period will guide decisions about broader deployment. There is also expectation that the team will consider expanding access to more audiences in additional regions if the feature proves effective and well received.
The timeline for wider availability remains unclear, including any plans to charge for Hype or introduce a paid tier. As the experiment unfolds, creators and viewers in the involved markets will be watching closely to see how this approach impacts engagement patterns and the discoverability of fresh content.