The YouTube feature that lets viewers pay to highlight messages during live streams is Super Chat.
Super Chat is a fan-funding feature built into YouTube live chat. When a viewer purchases one, the message can be highlighted with a color and remain pinned or prominent for a period determined by the amount paid. Larger purchases generally provide greater visibility. The creator receives a share of the eligible revenue, subject to YouTube’s terms, regional availability, and applicable fees.
Super Chat was introduced in 2017 as a replacement for YouTube’s earlier Fan Funding system. It gave viewers a way to ask questions, attract a creator’s attention, or support a broadcast while a live event was underway. It is especially common during gaming streams, question-and-answer sessions, news commentary, and creator premieres.
Super Stickers are related but different: they are animated or illustrated paid messages rather than ordinary highlighted text. Channel Memberships provide recurring support and member benefits, while Merch Shelf displays products. None is the standard name for paid highlighted live-chat messages.