If you’re a YouTube creator with anywhere between 500 and 500,000 subscribers, there’s a brand-new feature that could dramatically improve your visibility and chances of growth on the platform — and no, it’s not a trick or gimmick. It’s YouTube’s Hype feature, designed specifically to give smaller creators a shot at the spotlight.
In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into what Hype is, how it works, who can use it, and how you can take full advantage of it as a creator and viewer. Think of it as a new version of the now-removed Trending Page, but way more inclusive and fair.
🚨 What Is YouTube Hype and Why It Matters?
Let’s start with a little background. Previously, YouTube had a Trending Page, which showcased top-performing videos from across the platform. While it was an exciting goal for creators, it mostly benefitted channels with millions of subscribers. Smaller creators (under 500K subs) were hardly ever featured there.
But that’s changing.
YouTube has replaced the Trending tab with a new section called Hype, which appears on the Explore Page. This new tab is designed to spotlight emerging creators based on community interaction — not just views or subscriber count.
🎯 Who Is Eligible for Hype?
So far, we’re doing great. Now let’s get into the eligibility criteria, which is crucial to know before you get excited:
- Subscriber Count: Your channel must have more than 500 and less than 500,000 subscribers.
- Video Age: Only videos uploaded within the last 7 days are eligible to receive Hype points.
- Creator Age: You must be 18 years or older.
- Auto-Enabled: You do not need to turn on the feature manually. If you meet the above requirements, Hype will be automatically available on your channel.
✅ Good news: If your content fits within YouTube’s accepted content policies, your videos are eligible. However, certain sensitive or inappropriate categories may be excluded from Hype visibility to ensure a clean public-facing section.
🧠 How Does Hype Work for Creators?
Let’s move to the next step — how Hype affects you as a YouTuber.
Here’s how the system works:
- When you upload a video, viewers have 7 days to give it “Hype.”
- Every Hype you receive gives you Hype Points.
- If your video collects enough points, it gets a chance to appear on the Hype section of the Explore page.
And here’s the best part: YouTube has balanced the scoring system.
Creators with fewer subscribers get more Hype points per hype, while those closer to the 500K limit get slightly fewer. This levels the playing field and prevents bigger creators from dominating the board.
🕹️ How Viewers Can Give Hype to a Video
So far, so good. Now let’s understand how viewers can actually give hype to your videos.
Here’s how it works:
- Each viewer gets 3 Hype credits per week.
- They can:
- Hype one video three times
- Or three different videos once each
- Hype credits reset every Monday at midnight (local time)
How to Hype a Video:
- Watch a video from a channel with 500–500K subs.
- Either:
- Like the video, and the Hype button will automatically appear
- OR Swipe the comment section (right to left) — the Hype section will appear there too
- Tap Hype, and a new screen will show how many points your Hype will contribute
- You’ll also see how your points compare to others on the Leaderboard
📊 Understanding the Leaderboard
Once you hype a video, that video will start climbing the Hype Leaderboard, which ranks videos based on total points received.
- The top 100 videos are displayed publicly
- Viewers can access the Leaderboard anytime via the Hype tab on the Explore page
- Only those videos that cross the cutoff score (based on the 100th-ranked video) will be shown
🔍 Example Use Case
Imagine you uploaded a video on July 23rd. Between July 23 and July 30, your audience can give Hype to that video. If it receives enough points, it will be showcased in the Hype tab — potentially bringing in thousands of new viewers who would have never found you otherwise.
That’s huge for a growing channel.
🙋♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is Hype replacing likes or subscriptions?
No. Hype is an additional feature. Likes, comments, shares, and subscriptions are still vital signals for YouTube’s algorithm.
Q2. Can I ask viewers to Hype my video?
Absolutely! At the start or end of your video, just remind viewers:
“If you liked this video, don’t forget to give it a Hype — it really helps the channel!”
Q3. Can I see how many Hype points my video has?
Currently, you can only see general performance through your video’s analytics. If your video enters the Hype leaderboard, you’ll know it’s doing well!
Q4. Is the Hype feature available worldwide?
As of now, Hype is being gradually rolled out, so availability may depend on your region or account eligibility.
💡 Tips to Maximize Your Hype Potential
To make the most of this feature:
- Upload regularly — so your videos stay within the 7-day window
- Ask for Hype genuinely — don’t beg, but don’t ignore it either
- Create share-worthy content that sparks emotion or curiosity
- Stay within YouTube’s community guidelines to avoid category exclusion
- Check Explore > Hype often to study trending patterns
📌 Final Thoughts: A New Era for Small Creators?
The removal of the Trending tab may have felt like a loss for some, but for creators under 500K subscribers, Hype is a game-changer. It democratizes visibility and gives you a real shot at reaching new audiences, without needing a million subs or trending drama.
So don’t underestimate this — start using Hype actively, encourage your viewers to support your content, and who knows? Your next upload might just go viral.
Tags: youtube hype feature, youtube trending removed, hype page youtube, youtube for small creators, how to use hype on youtube, new youtube updates, youtube explore tab, youtube growth tips, youtube hype eligibility
Hashtags:
#YouTubeHype #YouTubeUpdate #SmallCreators #YouTubeGrowth #YTFeature #YouTubeTips #YTExplore #ContentCreatorHelp
Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and based on currently available YouTube updates as of July 2025. YouTube features are subject to change based on location, account history, or policy updates. For the latest official guidance, visit YouTube Help Center.
If you found this article helpful, feel free to share it with your fellow YouTubers. And if you’ve tried the Hype feature already — how was your experience? Let us know in the comments below. Keep creating, and keep growing!
