On September 18, 2024, YouTube held its Made on YouTube event, unveiling a range of exciting updates and features that promise to enhance both user experience and creator engagement. These changes include a revamped channel page for the YouTube app on smart TVs, a new Community hub for creators, the introduction of a “Hype” feature for videos, and the addition of ads on paused screens. Here’s a detailed look at what’s new and how these updates are set to impact the platform.
Redesigned Channel Pages for Smart TVs
YouTube is making it easier for viewers to navigate and enjoy content on smart TVs with a redesigned channel page. This update introduces several key features aimed at improving the user experience:
- Organized Content into Seasons and Episodes: Creators will now have the option to organize their videos into seasons and episodes. This feature will streamline content browsing for users, making it simpler to follow series or thematic collections directly from their smart TVs.
- Preview Videos: Creators can now add preview videos to their channel pages. These previews will automatically start playing when a viewer visits the channel, giving a snapshot of the channel’s content and enticing viewers to explore more.
These enhancements are designed to make navigating and discovering content on larger screens more engaging and user-friendly.
New Community Hub for Creators
YouTube is also launching a Community hub on creators’ channels. This new feature will act as a central hub where creators and their subscribers can interact more deeply. Here’s what the Community hub will offer:
- Discussion and Interaction: Fans can discuss videos, share fan art, and connect with like-minded individuals. This feature aims to foster a vibrant sense of community and enhance the engagement between creators and their audience.
- Centralized Interaction: The hub will serve as a space where users can easily find discussions and updates related to their favorite channels.
The Community hub is currently available for select creators and will be expanded to more channels throughout 2025, following initial tests.
Introducing the ‘Hype’ Feature
YouTube has introduced a new feature called “Hype”, designed to boost the visibility of emerging channels. Here’s how it works:
- Hype Option: Users can now use the “Hype” option alongside traditional features like liking and sharing. This feature is specifically available for channels with fewer than 500,000 subscribers.
- Hyped Leaderboard: YouTube will feature a “Hyped” leaderboard showcasing the top 100 hyped videos from the week. This will provide increased visibility and recognition for emerging content creators.
- Hype Usage: Users can hype up to three times per week, with plans to offer the option to purchase additional hypes in the future.
The “Hype” feature is designed to help new channels gain traction and attract more viewers.
Auto Dubbing for Creator
To further support creators, YouTube is introducing auto dubbing in YouTube Studio. This feature allows creators to generate translated audio tracks for their videos in multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian. Key details include:
- Beta Testing: The auto dubbing feature is currently in beta testing and will be expanded to more creators over the coming months.
- Enhanced Reach: By providing translated audio tracks, creators can reach a broader audience and enhance their content’s accessibility.
This update is set to make content more inclusive and globally accessible, benefiting both creators and international viewers.
Gifts and Digital Items
YouTube is also launching “Gifts” and “Jewels”—digital items that users can purchase and use during live streams. Here’s what to expect:
- Engagement and Reactions: Users will be able to use these digital items to engage with live stream content and react in real-time.
- New Revenue Stream: This feature will create an additional revenue stream for creators, starting with vertical live streams in the US and expanding to other regions later.
These digital items aim to enhance the live streaming experience and provide more ways for viewers to support their favorite creators.
Pause Screen Ads
In a significant development for advertisers, YouTube has begun placing ads on paused screens. According to Oluwa Falodun, YouTube’s communications manager:
- Pause Screen Ads: Advertisers can now target paused screens with pop-up-like ad windows. This feature is designed to capture viewers’ attention even when they are not actively watching a video.
- Wide Rollout: The feature has been widely rolled out to all advertisers following strong responses from both advertisers and viewers.
Pause screen ads are expected to offer new advertising opportunities and help monetize user interactions on the platform.
Conclusion
The recent updates announced by YouTube at the Made on YouTube event reflect the platform’s commitment to enhancing both user and creator experiences. With redesigned channel pages, the introduction of the Community hub, the innovative “Hype” feature, auto dubbing, digital gifts, and new advertising opportunities, YouTube is set to continue its evolution as a leading video streaming platform.
These changes aim to improve content discovery, foster stronger community connections, support emerging creators, and offer new ways for users to interact with and enjoy content. As these features roll out, users and creators alike can look forward to a more engaging and dynamic YouTube experience.
