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KreekCraft/YouTube

Fans are paying to meet their favorite YouTubers online through pilot program 

YouTubers are charging as much as $40.

 

Sierra Juarez

Streaming

Posted on Aug 17, 2019   Updated on May 20, 2021, 6:10 am CDT

YouTube is testing an online, paid meet-and-greet service for influencers and their fans on the platform, according to Variety.

Fundo, the name of the pilot program, invites YouTube stars to host live events with fans. Fundo is part of the incubator Area 120, Google’s workshop for experimental apps and online services. So far, the YouTube service is still in its developmental stage.

Mexican YouTuber Key Riqué sold shoutouts to fans for about $4; while YouTuber KreekCraft, who posts gaming live streams, has charged fans $10 for the meet and greets, according to Variety. Another popular YouTuber, Hannah Forcier, charged fans $40 to do a private photo booth session with her.

https://twitter.com/KreekCraft/status/1140012641492058115?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1140012641492058115&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F2019%2Fdigital%2Fnews%2Fgoogle-area-120-fundo-crowdfunding-1203304330%2F

Right now, the only information available on Fundo’s website is a short blurb, reading “Fundo is an experimental project within Area 120, currently in Beta.” A fact sheet for Fundo participants does say that the earnings from the meet and greets “go directly to support their channels and creativity, so they can continue to make you feel all the feels.”

Area 120 has launched educational apps, new social media networks, and travel tools. The incubator helps small teams develop innovative products. Google started Area 120 in 2016.

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H/T Engadget

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*First Published: Aug 17, 2019, 2:54 pm CDT