Ever scroll under a YouTube video and spot that little heart with a dollar sign? Yeah, that’s the YouTube Super Thanks button. A lot of creators still scratch their heads at it. Is it a tip jar? Is it a gimmick? Does it actually pay?
Truth is, it’s kind of all three, and yet, also none of them. The button is YouTube’s way of letting fans say “thanks” with cash, right there under your uploads. No live chat, no Patreon link, no PayPal QR code in your description. Just one click.
Future you could reminisce and say, “I remember the first time I got one, five bucks on a tutorial I’d posted months earlier. It wasn’t much, but it felt different than ad revenue. It was personal. Someone cared enough to click that button.” That’s the vibe behind Super Thanks.
Understanding Super Thanks: What It Is & How It Works
So here’s the simple breakdown: Super Thanks is a viewer tip feature. A fan hits the heart-dollar icon, picks an amount (usually $2–$50, depending on the country), and drops you money.
In return, their comment lights up with special colors, kind of like a badge of honor in your comment section. Everyone sees it, you see it, and the viewer gets the warm glow of standing out.
Key difference from Super Chats? Super Thanks works on any uploaded video. Live streams aren’t required. Your three-year-old “How to Fix a Wi-Fi Issue” video could randomly get a Super Thanks tomorrow. That’s what makes it powerful; content never stops being tip-worthy.
Why Enable Super Thanks? Benefits for Creators
You might think, “Eh, nobody will use it.” But here’s the kicker: you don’t lose anything by turning it on. It’s literally a toggle in settings. And when you do, a bunch of benefits suddenly open up:
- Extra income stream: Even a trickle of $2 tips adds up.
- Fan connection: Viewers feel closer to you when they can support you directly.
- Visibility boost: Those colorful comments stand out, sparking more replies.
There are real-life creators who got their first $5 to $20 Super Thanks videos that barely cracked 5k views. It is the most “seen” someone can feel, as a small channel. That’s the real secret: Super Thanks isn’t just money, it’s a signal that your content matters.
Who Can Use Super Thanks? Eligibility Criteria
Now, before you rush off to your Studio, there are some requirements. Not everyone gets the button right away. You need to be part of the YouTube Partner Program.
That means:
- 1,000 subs and 4,000 valid watch hours in the past 12 months, or
- 10M valid Shorts views in the last 90 days.
On top of that, remember:
- Your channel has to follow monetization policies (no major strikes, no “made for kids” limitations).
- You need to be in a region where Super Thanks is live. (Most countries have it now, but not all.)
- Certain videos that are age-restricted, unlisted, or copyright-messy uploads won’t show the button.
If you tick all those boxes, you’re good. The option shows up under the Supers tab in YouTube Studio.
Tips to Boost Super Thanks Engagement
If you just quietly switch it on and never mention it, most of your audience won’t notice. It’s like putting a tip jar in the corner of a coffee shop but never pointing at it.
So, how do you actually get people to use the YouTube Super Thanks button? A few tried-and-tested moves:
- Call it out lightly. A casual “Hey, if this helped, the Super Thanks button is below” at the end of a video is enough. Don’t beg. Don’t guilt-trip.
- Acknowledge supporters. Drop quick replies to Super Thanks comments. Better yet, mention a fan by name in your next upload. People love being recognized.
- Pin those comments. A highlighted comment pinned at the top? That’s free advertising for the feature.
- Evergreen is king. Videos that solve problems, how-tos, reviews, and tutorials, tend to generate more Super Thanks long after release.
Statistically, creators get more money from a two-year-old tutorial than from their newest upload. Why? Because problem-solving videos keep finding fresh viewers, and fresh viewers sometimes want to say thanks.
Enabling Super Thanks: Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re eligible, flipping the switch takes two minutes.
- Sign in to YouTube Studio.
- Head to Monetization in the left sidebar.
- Click the Supers tab.
- Turn Super Thanks on.
That’s literally it. The heart-dollar icon appears under all eligible videos. You can disable it per video if you ever need to.
Pro tip: Some niches (like content marked “for kids”) won’t show the button even if you enable it. Double-check after you toggle.
Handling Super Thanks Comments (Short Replies Work Best)
When someone tips, their comment shows up with a splash of color; it’s impossible to miss. The worst thing you can do? Ignore it.
But here’s the secret: you don’t need a long essay reply. Short, genuine responses feel more authentic:
- “Thanks a ton 🙏”
- “This made my day. <3 Appreciate it!”
- “Wow, thanks for supporting the channel!”
Keep it brief. Keep it warm. Then move on. Pinning their comment or dropping a like also adds a little extra shine.
Think of it like real life, if someone tips you at a coffee shop, you don’t write them a letter. You smile, nod, say thanks, and keep the vibe going.
Payout & Revenue Share: What Creators Really Receive
Alright, money talk. Here’s how it works behind the curtain.
Viewers can usually pick from a handful of amounts, roughly $2, $5, $10, up to $50 in most regions. That cash flows into your AdSense. But YouTube takes a cut. A solid 30%.
So:
- $2 Super Thanks = $1.40 to you.
- $10 = $7 to you.
- $50 = $35 to you.
The split’s the same as Super Chats and Memberships. Some creators grumble about it, but honestly, compared to Patreon fees + payment processing, the difference isn’t huge. And the big win? Everything happens in-platform. Viewers don’t need to click out, sign up, or type in a credit card somewhere else. That convenience keeps tips flowing.
I’ve seen threads where small creators said their entire month’s grocery budget was covered by a handful of random Super Thanks on evergreen videos. It’s not always predictable money, but it can be surprisingly impactful.
Conclusion
So here’s the bottom line: the YouTube Super Thanks button is an underused feature that costs nothing to enable and could genuinely change how you connect with your audience.
It won’t make you rich overnight. Most viewers will never touch it. But for the few who do? It’s powerful. It’s personal. And it adds up.
Enable it. Mention it once in a while. Show gratitude when it happens. That’s really all you need.
Because sometimes the smallest button under your video can make you feel more supported than a thousand ad impressions ever will.