You’re watching a live stream. The energy is high. Maybe it’s a charity event, or perhaps your favorite gamer just hit a massive milestone and you want to say thanks. You see that little dollar sign or the "Donate" button glowing, and you want to help out. But honestly, how to donate on YouTube isn't always as straightforward as clicking a button and hoping for the best.
There are fees. There are different platforms. There are times when the creator doesn't even get the full amount because of how you chose to pay. It’s kinda frustrating if you think about it. If you’re trying to support someone, you want the money to actually get to them, right? Let's get into the weeds of how this actually works in the real world.
The Super Chat and Super Sticker Shuffle
Most people start with Super Chats. It’s the easiest way. You’re in the live chat, you click the dollar sign, and you pick an amount. Your message gets highlighted, stays pinned for a bit, and the creator sees it immediately. It’s instant gratification.
But here is the catch that most people ignore: Apple and Google take a cut. If you are buying a Super Chat through the YouTube app on an iPhone, Apple takes a 30% "tax" right off the top before YouTube even touches it. Then YouTube takes their share. If you want to know how to donate on YouTube effectively, do it through a web browser on a desktop or an Android device whenever possible. It saves a massive chunk of change from just disappearing into the pockets of trillion-dollar tech giants.
Super Stickers are basically the same thing but with digital art. They are fun, sure, but they follow the same revenue-split rules. YouTube generally keeps about 30% of the revenue from these features, meaning the creator gets 70%. That’s the standard deal. It’s not great, but it’s the price of convenience within the ecosystem.
YouTube Giving and Why it Matters for Taxes
If you aren't trying to tip a creator but instead want to support a verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit, you’re looking for the "Donate" button under a video or in a chat. This is "YouTube Giving."
The cool thing here? YouTube actually covers the transaction fees for these specific donations. If you give $10 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through a YouTube fundraiser, the full $10 goes to the charity. You’ll get a receipt via email which is vital for tax season. Most people forget that part. If you’re donating significant amounts, you need those receipts to lower your taxable income.
Why some creators don't have the button
Not everyone can use YouTube Giving. The creator has to be in an eligible location (like the US, UK, or Canada), have at least 10k subscribers, and be part of the YouTube Partner Program. If you don't see the button on a charity stream, the creator might be using a third-party link instead.
The "Join" Button and Channel Memberships
Think of this like a recurring donation. It’s basically Patreon but built directly into the site. You pay a monthly fee—usually starting around $4.99—and you get badges or emojis.
📖 Related: Central Dogma of Molecular Biology: Why Your Cells Are Basically Tiny Printing Presses
From a financial standpoint, this is the most stable way to support a creator. One-off donations are great, but monthly memberships allow a creator to actually plan their budget. They know that "X" amount of dollars is coming in on the first of the month. Again, the 70/30 split applies here. If you join a channel for $5, the creator sees about $3.50 of that after YouTube's cut. It’s worth noting that creators can set up different "tiers" with different perks. Some might offer early access to videos or private Discord servers. If you’re going to spend the money anyway, you might as well get some extra value out of it.
Super Thanks: For the Non-Live Crowd
For a long time, you could only "donate" during live streams. That changed with Super Thanks. Now, if you’re watching a pre-recorded video—like a tutorial or a travel vlog—you can click the "Thanks" button (it looks like a heart with a dollar sign) under the video.
It’s basically a tip jar for "Evergreen" content.
I’ve seen this used a lot on educational channels. If a 10-minute video just saved you three hours of frustration trying to fix your dishwasher, tossing them a $5 Super Thanks is a solid move. It tells the creator that their specific, older content is still providing value. It's a huge morale boost for them.
Third-Party Links (The Pro Move)
If you really want to know how to donate on YouTube so the creator gets the absolute maximum amount of money, look in the video description. Most veteran YouTubers will have a link to:
- PayPal.me
- Buy Me a Coffee
- Ko-fi
- Patreon
Why does this matter? Because platforms like Ko-fi often take 0% of the donation (outside of standard credit card processing fees which are usually around 2.9% + 30 cents). Compare that to YouTube taking 30%. On a $100 donation, the difference is $30 vs. about $3. That is a massive gap.
🔗 Read more: Finding the Apple Store Polaris Fashion Place Without Getting Lost
However, there is a trade-off. If you donate via PayPal, your name won't pop up on the screen with a flashy animation unless the creator has set up an integration through something like Streamlabs or StreamElements. If you want the "shoutout," you usually have to use the official YouTube tools. If you just want to help them pay their rent, use the external links.
Common Mistakes and Security
Don't ever, under any circumstances, "donate" by sending gift card codes in a chat or email. That is a scam 100% of the time. Real creators will never ask you to go to a pharmacy and buy a Google Play card to support the channel.
Also, watch out for "Chargebacks." Some people think it’s funny to donate $1,000 to a small creator and then immediately call their bank to cancel the transaction. This is incredibly harmful. Not only is the money taken back, but the creator often has to pay a "chargeback fee" to the payment processor. It can literally put a small channel into debt. If you can't afford it, don't send it.
Regional Restrictions and Currency
YouTube handles currency conversion automatically, but it’s rarely in your favor. If you are in Europe donating to a US creator, your bank might charge a foreign transaction fee on top of the donation amount. It’s usually small, but it adds up if you’re a frequent donor.
Also, some features aren't available everywhere. Super Chat is currently available in about 100 countries. If you're traveling or living in a country where it's not supported, you won't even see the dollar sign icon. Using a VPN sometimes works to bypass this, but it can be finicky with payment processing because your credit card billing address won't match your IP address. It’s usually more trouble than it’s worth.
Actionable Steps for Donors
Before you hit send on that next donation, run through this quick mental checklist to make sure your money is going where you think it is.
- Check the Platform: If you are on an iPhone, close the app and open Safari or Chrome to make the donation. You’ll instantly save the creator from the 30% Apple tax.
- Evaluate the Goal: Are you looking for a shoutout or just to support? If it’s just support, look for a Ko-fi or PayPal link in the description.
- Verify the Charity: If it's a fundraiser, ensure it's a "YouTube Giving" event so the fees are waived. Look for the "Verified" checkmark next to the nonprofit's name.
- Set a Budget: It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a live stream. Decide on a "max spend" before you start watching.
- Check for Perks: If you’re going to give $5 every month, check if the "Join" button offers better rewards than just sending individual Super Chats.
Supporting creators is what keeps the internet interesting. Without viewers willing to put skin in the game, we’d be stuck with nothing but corporate-produced junk. Just make sure when you do decide to give, you're doing it the smartest way possible. Using a browser instead of an app and looking for external links are the two biggest ways to ensure your favorite creators actually see the fruit of your generosity.