Dexerto
YouTube has begun testing a new video feature that makes it unavailable to everyone except a channel’s most loyal fans.
In late May, creators started noticing a new option while uploading videos called “top fans.”
Instead of the “unlisted” setting, where only users with a link can watch, or “members only” which limits the audience to paying viewers, “top fans” is a bit more extreme.
This option states that only a channel’s “top 1% who watched and listened to your content will be able to watch and comment on this video” – essentially making it a special reward for loyal audiences.
Screenshots of the new option started spreading on social media, leaving creators baffled at why they’d ever choose it.
YouTube is currently testing a "Top Fans" feature where your new video will only be seen by the top 1% of your viewers/subscribers to reward your most loyal audience.
It's basically requiring someone to have watched and commented on 97% of your entire history of uploads.
That's… pic.twitter.com/mLJpdTGhaH
— "Guru Larry" Bundy Jr (@LarryBundyJr) May 27, 2026
“If I wanted to make videos, but didn’t want anyone to watch them, I’d upload to Vimeo,” joked YouTuber LarryBundyJr.
YouTube responds to confusion over “top fans” feature
On LinkedIn, Nate Curtiss shared his thoughts on “top fans,” saying that it really benefits the largest channels with a massive base.
As the discussion heated up, YouTube Head of Editorial Rene Ritchie chimed in, claiming that the feature was originally announced in 2025 and isn’t intended for most YouTubers.
“To clear up any confusion, last fall, YouTube announced exclusive video drops for music artists and their fans,” he said. “This is YouTube beginning to test the feature for music artist channels and fans – not creator channels. Hope this helps.”
Interestingly, while the feature is seemingly not intended for creators, YouTube used its Creators account to announce this feature back in a 2025 thread on X.
treat your superfans with exclusive content 🤩
with the ability to send videos that only your top fans can see, you can reward them and build deeper connections. pilot rolling out globally October 2025 🌍 pic.twitter.com/KHJsGprrBQ
— YouTube Creators (@YouTubeCreators) September 16, 2025
“Treat your superfans with exclusive content,” the YouTube Creators account tweeted in September 2025. “With the ability to send videos that only your top fans can see, you can reward them and build deeper connections. Pilot rolling out globally October 2025.”
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It’s unclear why this option is only now seemingly popping up for creators or if YouTube plans a larger rollout for all channels in the future.
In any case, given how limiting this feature would be, don’t expect to see creators use it for their big content, but more so as a little something extra to viewers who have been consistently watching over the years.
