In “America’s Got Talent,” the Golden Buzzer is the buzzer that can send an act directly to the live shows.
The feature was introduced to the American series in season nine, after appearing elsewhere in the international Got Talent franchise. When a judge presses it during auditions, the act is advanced automatically, regardless of the other judges’ opinions. The show later allowed the host to use one as well.
The Golden Buzzer is different from the ordinary red buzzers. Those buzzers signal disapproval and can stop an audition when all judges use them; they do not guarantee advancement. Golden Buzzer rules have changed over the seasons, including how many each judge may use and whether the act goes directly to live rounds or another advanced stage. The underlying idea remains the same: it is a special, high-impact endorsement, not merely a louder version of the standard buzzer.