YouTube is doubling down on live streaming with a fresh wave of updates designed to help creators earn more money while improving how audiences interact during live sessions.
In a recent announcement, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan highlighted just how central live streaming has become to the platform, crediting creators for building strong, engaged communities that keep viewers coming back.
At the heart of these updates is a clear goal—making live streaming more flexible, more interactive, and more profitable for creators across different formats and regions.
One of the biggest changes is the expansion of Gifts, a monetisation feature that allows viewers to send virtual items during live streams as a way of supporting creators.
Previously more limited in format, Gifts are now being extended to horizontal live streams on mobile, not just vertical ones.
This is a significant move because many creators prefer horizontal streaming for gaming, interviews, and professional content. By enabling Gifts across both formats, YouTube is opening up more earning opportunities regardless of how a creator chooses to go live.
In addition to format expansion, YouTube is also widening the global reach of Gifts. The feature is now rolling out to more countries, including Canada, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand, with more regions expected to follow. This expansion means creators will be able to monetize audiences in a broader range of markets, increasing their earning potential while also encouraging more global participation in live streams.
Another standout update is the ability to stream in both vertical and horizontal formats simultaneously. This is a game-changer for creators who want to maximize their reach across different devices. Vertical streams are typically favored by mobile users, while horizontal streams are better suited for desktop and TV viewing.
By allowing both formats at the same time, YouTube is removing the need for creators to choose one over the other. Even more importantly, viewers from both formats will share a single live chat, creating a unified experience instead of splitting the audience.
YouTube is also introducing smarter ad management during live streams, addressing one of the biggest frustrations for both creators and viewers. With the new system, the platform will automatically detect moments when live chat engagement is at its highest and temporarily hold back ads. This ensures that key moments—such as viral reactions, major announcements, or peak interactions—are not interrupted, helping creators maintain momentum and keep audiences fully engaged.
Taken together, these updates reflect YouTube’s broader strategy of strengthening its live streaming ecosystem. By combining improved monetization tools, better audience reach, and smarter user experience features, the platform is positioning itself as a more creator-friendly environment in an increasingly competitive space dominated by platforms like Twitch and TikTok Live.
For creators, the message is clear: live streaming on YouTube is becoming more powerful, more flexible, and more rewarding. Whether you’re a small creator building your first audience or an established streamer looking to scale globally, these new tools are designed to help you grow faster and monetize more effectively.
As these features continue rolling out worldwide, they are expected to reshape how creators approach live content—making it not just a way to connect with audiences in real time, but also a central pillar of sustainable income on the platform.
