Donating through super chat has become a popular way for content creators and viewers to support each other on various online platforms. Whether you’re a YouTuber looking to monetize your channel or a fan wanting to show your appreciation for your favorite creators, super chat offers a simple and effective solution. In this comprehensive guide, we will dive into everything you need to know about donating through super chat, including how to use it, examples, comparisons, and helpful advice.
What is Super Chat?
Super chat is a feature introduced by YouTube in 2017. It allows viewers to purchase chat messages during live streams and Premieres on the platform. These messages are highlighted and pinned at the top of the chat for a certain period, depending on the amount donated. The purpose of super chat is to provide a way for viewers to support their favorite creators directly while also giving them a chance to stand out in the chat.
How Does It Work?
To use super chat, viewers can click on the dollar sign icon next to the chat box during a live stream or Premiere. They can then select the amount they want to donate and type in their message, which will appear in a different color and stay pinned for a specific duration based on the donation amount. Creators receive 70% of the donation, with the remaining 30% going to YouTube as a processing fee.
Using super chat is also straightforward for content creators. They simply need to enable monetization on their channel and have a Google AdSense account. They can then set up their own rules and guidelines for super chat donations, such as minimum donation amounts, banned words, and more.
Why Use Super Chat?
For content creators, super chat offers an additional stream of revenue on top of ad revenue and sponsorships. It also gives them a chance to interact with their viewers in a more meaningful way, as super chat messages are highlighted and pinned for everyone to see. As for viewers, super chat allows them to show their appreciation for their favorite creators while also gaining recognition in the chat.
How to Use Super Chat
Using super chat is simple and straightforward, but here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Enable Monetization on Your Channel
Before you can start using super chat, you need to enable monetization on your YouTube channel. This involves meeting certain criteria, such as having at least 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months and 1,000 subscribers. Once you meet these requirements, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program and enable monetization on your channel.
Step 2: Set Up Your Payment Profile
Once your channel is monetized, you need to set up a payment profile through Google AdSense. This is where you will receive your super chat donations, along with any other ad revenue or channel memberships. You can choose to receive payments via bank transfer, check, or wire transfer.
Step 3: Enable Super Chat
After setting up your payment profile, you can enable super chat on your channel. Simply go to your Creator Studio, click on “Monetization,” and then select “Super Chat” from the menu on the left. From there, you can customize your super chat settings, such as minimum donation amounts and banned words.
Step 4: Go Live and Encourage Super Chats
Once everything is set up, you can go live and encourage your viewers to use super chat to support you. You can also mention super chat during your video intros, outros, and throughout the livestream to remind viewers of the option to donate.
Examples of Successful Super Chats
There have been countless successful super chats on YouTube over the years, with some even making headlines. Here are a few examples:
MrBeast’s $100,000 Super Chat
In December 2018, popular YouTuber MrBeast received a $100,000 super chat during one of his live streams. The donation came from a viewer who wanted to help MrBeast reach his goal of planting 20 million trees. This generous super chat helped push MrBeast past his goal, with the total amount raised reaching over $22 million.
PewDiePie’s $50,000 Super Chat
During a livestream in March 2019, PewDiePie received a $50,000 super chat from a fan. The message read, “Hey Felix! Just wanted to show my support and let you know that you have been a huge inspiration for me and so many others. Keep doing what you do best!” The super chat came at a time when PewDiePie was competing against T-Series for the title of most subscribed channel on YouTube, and it helped boost his morale and keep him motivated.
Smosh’s Super Chat Challenge
In January 2020, comedy duo Smosh hosted a super chat challenge during one of their live streams. They promised to dye their hair green if they reached a certain super chat goal, and their viewers delivered. In just under an hour, they received over $20,000 in super chats, and they followed through on their promise by dyeing their hair green during the livestream.
Comparing Super Chat with Other Donation Methods
While super chat is a popular way to donate on YouTube, it’s not the only option available. Let’s take a look at how it compares to other donation methods:
Super Chat vs. Channel Memberships
Channel memberships are another way for viewers to support creators on YouTube. It allows them to pay a monthly fee, ranging from $4.99 to $24.99, to access exclusive perks like custom emojis, badges, and more. Unlike super chat, channel memberships don’t have a limit on the amount of time a message stays pinned, and creators receive 70% of the membership fee.
Super Chat vs. Patreon
Patreon is a crowdfunding platform that allows creators to receive recurring donations from fans in exchange for exclusive content or perks. Unlike super chat, Patreon doesn’t have a live chat feature, but it does offer more flexibility in terms of rewards and pricing. Creators also receive a higher percentage of the donation, with Patreon only taking a 5% fee.
Tips for Using Super Chat Effectively
Now that you know how to use super chat, here are some helpful tips to make the most out of this feature:
Encourage but Don’t Beg
It’s essential to encourage your viewers to use super chat, but avoid begging or pressuring them to do so. Instead, focus on creating engaging and high-quality content that will inspire viewers to donate if they can and want to.
Show Gratitude
Whenever you receive a super chat donation, take a moment to thank the viewer and show your appreciation. This simple act can go a long way in building a strong relationship with your audience and encouraging future donations.
Offer Incentives
Consider offering incentives for super chat donations, such as shoutouts, personalized messages, or exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content. This can make viewers feel special and motivate them to donate more.
FAQs about Donating Through Super Chat
Q: Can I use super chat on pre-recorded videos?
A: No, super chat is only available for live streams and Premieres.
Q: Do viewers need a YouTube account to donate through super chat?
A: Yes, viewers must be signed in to their YouTube account to use super chat.
Q: Is there a limit on the number of super chats I can send during a live stream?
A: Yes, YouTube has set a limit of 200 super chats per day for each account.
Q: Can I use super chat on my mobile device?
A: Yes, you can use super chat on both the YouTube app and mobile site.
Q: Is super chat available in all countries?
A: No, super chat is currently not available in all countries. You can check the list of eligible countries on YouTube’s support page.
Conclusion
Donating through super chat is a fantastic way for content creators and viewers to support each other on YouTube. It offers a quick and easy way for viewers to show their appreciation for their favorite creators, while also providing an additional source of income for creators. By following the tips and steps outlined in this guide, you can make the most out of this feature and continue to build a strong and supportive community on YouTube. So what are you waiting for? Go live, encourage super chats, and see the impact it can have on your channel!
