Google launches YouTube Gifts in India to help creators earn more

YouTube has rolled out Gifts in India, a new feature that allows fans to send animated virtual items during live streams. The feature is designed to deepen fan‑creator connections while offering creators another way to monetise their content.

Gifts appear as colourful overlays on streams, giving viewers a more expressive way to show appreciation and interact in real time. “we’re launching Gifts in India to provide a new way for creators to connect with their fans and for viewers to express themselves during live streams,” said YouTube.

How the system works

Fans purchase Jewels in bundles, which can then be used to send Gifts during live streams. When a Gift is sent, creators earn Rubies, representing their revenue share.

This system makes it easier for viewers to support creators without repeated transactions, while ensuring creators benefit directly from fan engagement.

What are gifts

Gifts are engaging animations that viewers can send on creators’ live streams, showing their appreciation, reactions, and expressions in real-time. Gifts appear as overlays on top of live streams, enhancing the live experience and creating a new way for creators and their viewers to interact and have fun.

To send gifts, viewers can buy Jewels in bundles. This makes it easier for them to react, show their support, and stay engaged in the moment, without having to make a new Jewels purchase for every gift.

When viewers use Jewels to send gifts to creators, creators get Rubies which represent their earnings.To mark the launch, YouTube has introduced localized Gifts inspired by Indian culture and expressions. These include food icons like Vada Pav, Chai Toast, and Pani Puri, as well as phrases such as Badhai Ho, Kem Cho, Macha, and All Izz Well. Seasonal and event‑based Gifts will also be added over time, keeping the experience fresh and relevant for Indian audiences.

How creators can enable gifts

Eligible creators can activate Gifts through the Earn hub in YouTube Studio by accepting the new “Virtual Items Module.” Once enabled, Gifts will automatically appear during live streams. However, creators should note that Super Stickers will no longer be available on streams where Gifts are active.India’s creator ecosystem continues to expand rapidly. YouTube reports that the number of channels earning seven‑figure INR revenues has grown by 20% year‑over‑year, while 92% of surveyed creators say the platform helps them build stronger community bonds. By adding Gifts to its suite of monetization tools — alongside Super Chat, Super Stickers, Super Thanks, and Channel Memberships — YouTube is giving creators more ways to diversify income streams.