PostEaseThe short answer
Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks are YouTube’s one-off ways for viewers to pay a creator. Super Chat highlights a viewer’s message in live chat, Super Stickers shows an animated image there, and Super Thanks plays an animation on a video or Short and posts a highlighted comment. YouTube calls them, with channel memberships, “fan funding” features.
All of them need the channel to be in the YouTube Partner Program and the creator to be at least 18 and in a location where the feature is available. When a creator has access, a Supers tab or card appears in the Earn section of YouTube Studio.
The three compared
From YouTube’s Help Center pages on each feature:
| What differs | Super Chat and Super Stickers | Super Thanks |
|---|---|---|
| Where it appears | In live chat, during live streams and Premieres | On long-form videos and Shorts |
| What the viewer gets | A highlighted message, or an animated sticker | A one-time animation over the video, and a distinct, colourful comment |
| When it works | While live chat is on | On archived videos after a live stream or Premiere ends, not while live |
| Blocked when | Live chat or comments are off | Comments are off, the video has copyright claims or a YouTube Giving fundraiser |
Who can turn them on
The minimum for every fan funding feature, then each feature’s own conditions:
| Requirement | What YouTube says |
|---|---|
| Partner Program | The channel is in the YouTube Partner Program |
| Age | The creator is at least 18 |
| Location | The creator lives where that feature is available |
| Terms | The creator, and any network, has accepted the Commerce Product Module |
| Super Thanks only | The channel is not set as made for kids, and some music channels, such as those under SRAV contracts, are excluded |
Rules to know
From YouTube’s policies for these features:
- These are not donation or crowdfunding tools; YouTube says money from them may be treated differently under the laws that apply to you.
- Super Chats and Super Stickers must follow the Community Guidelines. If one is removed for breaking them, YouTube donates its share of the revenue to charity.
- YouTube can end access to Super Thanks on any channel if it detects abusive or fraudulent behaviour.
- Super Thanks was formerly called Viewer applause.
Super Thanks or a membership
Super Chat and Super Thanks are single payments for a moment: a question in a live stream, a thank-you for a video that helped. Channel memberships are monthly and come with ongoing members-only perks. They suit different fans: one who wants to say thanks once, and one who wants to belong, so offering both covers both.
Fan funding and PostEase
PostEase schedules YouTube videos with their title, description and cover, beside every other platform. Super Chat and Super Thanks are turned on in YouTube Studio, in the Earn section. YouTube, X, LinkedIn (personal profile), Pinterest, Bluesky, and WordPress publishing are live today; Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Threads are pending each platform's own API approval.
Questions
What is the difference between Super Chat and Super Thanks?
Super Chat highlights a message in live chat during a live stream or Premiere. Super Thanks is bought on a video or Short and shows an animation and a highlighted comment.
Can you get Super Thanks on Shorts?
Yes. Super Thanks works on long-form videos and Shorts, unless comments are off or the video has copyright claims.
Do you need to be in the YouTube Partner Program for Super Chat?
Yes. All fan funding features require the Partner Program, and the creator must be at least 18.
What happens to a Super Chat that is removed?
If it is removed for breaking the Community Guidelines, YouTube says it donates its portion of the revenue to charity.
Sources
- YouTube, Super Chat & Super Stickers eligibility, availability, and policies, checked October 2026.
- YouTube, Super Thanks eligibility, availability, and policies, checked October 2026.
- YouTube, YouTube Commerce Products monetization policies, checked October 2026.
- YouTube, Get started with channel memberships on YouTube, checked October 2026.