What Are YouTube Super Chats?

Most creators treat live streams like “extra content.” The creators who win treat them like a recurring event with a purpose: deeper community, better retention, and direct support. Super Chat is the feature that turns your live chat into a paid spotlight, but only if you set it up correctly and run your stream like a show.

This guide covers what Super Chat is, how to enable it, what you actually earn, and the simple habits that make people want to support you repeatedly.

What is a Super Chat on YouTube?

Super Chat is a paid, highlighted message a viewer sends during a live stream or Premiere. It stands out in chat and can be pinned at the top for a period of time based on the amount the viewer chooses.

Why creators use it:

• Creates revenue during the stream
• Rewards engaged viewers with visibility, which energizes the entire chat

Why viewers use it:

• Fastest way to get noticed and receive a response in busy chat

Super Chat Eligibility Requirements

Super Chat is part of YouTube’s “fan funding” features, which are tied to the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). YouTube now has an expanded entry tier that gives creators earlier access to fan funding.

Step 1: Qualify for the Expanded YPP Tier

You can apply to YPP when you hit:

• 500 subscribers
• 3 public uploads in the last 90 days
• Plus either: 3,000 public watch hours (last 12 months) or 3M Shorts views (last 90 days)

Step 2: Meet Super Chat Specific Requirements

Even after you are eligible for fan funding, Super Chat can be blocked if:

• You are not in an eligible country/region
• You have not accepted the Commerce Product Module (the agreement inside YouTube Studio)
• The content is age-restricted, unlisted, private, made for kids, or tied to YouTube Giving fundraisers
• Live chat (or comments) is turned off

Not eligible yet? Read our guide on getting 500 subscribers and unlocking fan funding.

How to Enable Super Chat

If you meet eligibility requirements, turning it on is straightforward.

Desktop Setup (Recommended)

1. Open YouTube Studio
2. Go to Earn
3. Open the Supers section
4. Complete the steps to accept the Commerce Product Module if prompted
5. Toggle Super Chat on for eligible live streams and Premieres

Mobile Setup (YouTube Studio App)

1. Open YouTube Studio
2. Tap Earn
3. Tap the Supers card

The Super Chat Playbook: How to Earn More Per Stream

Enabling Super Chat is easy. Getting viewers to actually use it, without turning your stream into a fundraiser telethon, requires strategy.

Use this playbook.

Before You Go Live (5-Minute Prep)

• Set one clear purpose for the stream. Example: "Reviewing your channel banners" or "Planning next week's uploads"
• Decide your response strategy. Example: "I'll answer Super Chat questions during scheduled Q&A blocks"
• Add an on-screen reminder (or pinned chat message) explaining how support helps and what supporters receive (priority Q&A, shoutout, etc.)
• Schedule the stream so your audience can plan to attend

During the Stream (What Actually Drives Revenue)

• Acknowledge fast. Quick responses prove Super Chat works
• Batch responses. Run "Super Chat Q&A" segments every 10–15 minutes instead of constant interruptions
• Repeat the rules. For new viewers that join late, give a 10-second reminder periodically
• Make it engaging. Shoutouts, reactions, and consistent format beat awkward begging
• Protect your vibe. Don't reward inflammatory or off-topic messages with attention, move on

After the Stream (Building Repeat Supporters)

• Thank supporters in the first 30 seconds of your next stream
• Clip one great moment (especially helpful Q&A) and post it as a Short
• Review what worked: which topics triggered chat spikes and when

How Much Does YouTube Take from Super Chats

YouTube's current revenue share for Supers is: creators receive 70% of confirmed revenue.

Two critical caveats:

1. The 70% is calculated after local sales tax and iOS App Store fees (if purchased on iOS)
2. Credit card transaction costs are covered by YouTube

Translation: Your take-home varies significantly based on where viewers are located and what device they use.

Understanding the Full Supers Family

Super Chat isn't your only fan funding option. YouTube offers a suite of features for different moments:

Super Chat

Paid highlighted messages during live streams and Premieres.

Super Stickers

Animated visuals viewers purchase during live chat. less about questions, more about quick support and hype. Ideal for fast-paced streams (gaming, reactions, live events).

Super Thanks

Lets viewers support specific videos (including Shorts) after publication. Viewers see an animation and can leave a distinct comment. Perfect if you don't stream often but want fans to tip on evergreen content.

Read More: How to Enable YouTube Super Thanks

Viewer Spending Rules (What You Need to Know)

These rules from YouTube's documentation affect how viewers can support you:

• Spending limits exist: Viewers can typically spend up to $500/day or $2,000/week (or local equivalent).
• Small purchases may not pin: Purchases under $5 USD (or local equivalent) may not appear in the pinned ticker.
• Moderation matters: Super Chats can be moderated and removed, moderated messages don't automatically trigger refunds.
• These aren't donations: YouTube explicitly states Supers aren't crowdfunding or donation tools. You're responsible for complying with local laws.

Troubleshooting: Why Super Chat Isn't Available

If you cannot see Super Chat, run this checklist:

• You are not in expanded YPP yet (or fan funding is not available in your region)
• You are not in an eligible location for Supers
• You have not accepted the Commerce Product Module
• Live chat is off (or comments are off)
• The stream or Premiere is made for kids, private, unlisted, age-restricted, or tied to Giving fundraisers

Tracking Performance and Improving Results

Inside YouTube Studio, you can review:

• Your Supers transactions
• Revenue reporting for Supers in Analytics under Revenue

Your goal isn't "more Super Chats." Your goal is a repeatable stream format where supporters feel valued and everyone gets value.

Key Metrics to Track

• Live concurrent viewers. Are you growing the room?
• Chat messages per minute. Is the stream interactive?
• Supers per hour. Are you creating clear support moments?
• Watch time and returning viewers. Is the event habit-forming?

Pre-Stream Checklist

Copy this before your next stream:

• Supers enabled in YouTube Studio
• Live chat on
• A clear segment for questions and shoutouts
• A one-line rule for how Super Chat gets priority
• A plan to say thanks fast and consistently

Treat Super Chat as one part of a bigger live strategy. If you want to sharpen the whole experience, check out our guide on how to run better live streams.