Content creators are making money with “virtual tips.” During the pandemic, mutual aid networks and tipping service workers extra have been popular—and so has “virtual tipping” for content creators on social platforms. Some followers have been tipping and supporting their favorite gamers on Twitch or creators on YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram. Twitch has offered donation links for its streamers in recent years with third-party tools through their currency system like Bits, while other platforms have been developing their own “tipping systems.” Meanwhile, emerging social app Clubhouse is also reportedly introducing a tipping feature along with subscription and ticket sales. Some creators are even using separate tools like StreamElements, which allows streamers to manage their live broadcasts better and develop tipping plug-ins that alert them when they receive a donation. (Vox)
