YouTube continues to mirror Twitch, tests new clap feature that lets fans donate to creators

YouTube is trying to figure out how to help creators earn more revenue through alternative monetization methods, and its newest attempt reiterates that YouTube is still following in Twitch’s footsteps.

Clapping is the latest idea YouTube is testing in certain territories. Officially referred to as “viewer applause,” the feature allows people to purchase a clapping animation that appears over the video they’re choosing to support. The animation is only shown privately to the buyer. Viewer applause is only available in a beta format right now, meaning that creators have to be invited by YouTube to test the product. YouTube confirmed to The Verge that viewer applause is a very early test of a potential way for creators to make money off of...

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