【My Mothers Friend 5】

Periscope will now let broadcasters make money off their livestreams — so long as they're willing to jump through a few hoops.

Today the livestreaming service unveiled a new feature called "Super Hearts,My Mothers Friend 5" which allows viewers to purchase in-app hearts with real money and "gift" them to broadcasters. Broadcasters can then "cash out" the virtual gift for real cash.

SEE ALSO: Twitter's 2-factor authentication has a serious problem

This has the potential to be a big deal for some Periscope's more influential users, many of whom also stream on other services that allow these types of interactions between broadcasters and fans. It may help Periscope keep some of these key users on its platform.

But there are a couple important caveats.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

While anyone can buy and send Super Hearts, broadcasters need to be approved "super broadcasters" before they can cash out for real money. Periscope says "qualified broadcasters" shouldn't have a problem becoming part of the program, but even then, super broadcasters are only eligible to cash out once they have accrued about $175 worth of in-app gifts.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

There's also the fact that the whole Super Heart system is more than a little confusing.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

First off, there are two type of currency within the service: you buy Super Hearts with in-app coins, but broadcasters who receive them earn "stars." There are three different styles of Super Heart, each of which has a different value star value.

It's only when your star balance reaches a predetermined amount (assuming, of course, you're a part of the Super Broadcaster program) that you can convert your stars into actual money. In the beginning, that amount will be about 185,000 stars, which works out to about $175. But broadcasters won't see 100 percent of the money as Periscope takes a small cut after Apple or Google takes its respective cut of the in-app purchase. Periscope's Director of Software Engineering Sara Haider says broadcasters will ultimately get about 70 percent after all fees.

Simple, right?

While Periscope insists that this model is similar to that of other livestreaming services, it will no doubt be at least a bit confusing to more casual Periscope users who are unaccustomed to the complexities of in-app tipping.

Still, it's an important update for those influential users Periscope relies on to drive engagement.

---

Featured Video For You

---

This store on wheels will let you shop on demand from the comfort of your curb

---

Topics Social Media X/Twitter

• Life
• Social Good
• Deals
• Digital Culture
• Games
• Science
• Entertainment
• Shopping

• The Story Behind the Home of Forgotten Video Games
• Net neutrality isn't dead for these internet service providers
• People are tweeting their failed attempts to make gingerbread houses
• Journalists are being jailed for 'fake news,' and critics blame Trump
• Analyzing Graphics Card Pricing: May 2018
• This is why you should never bring your kids to a live Awards show
• Oh god, here's Barack Obama playing Santa Claus
• 14 jokes about net neutrality while they're still free
• NYT Connections hints and answers for May 1: Tips to solve 'Connections' #690.
• 16 best tweets of the week, including Thicken Nugget, male fridge, and Pentagon Subway

• Apple WWDC 2022: New MacBook Air is the first to feature new M2 chip:
• The 10 best travel tech gadgets for your next adventure in 2022
• Disney+'s "Ms. Marvel" adds an imaginative flourish to the MCU
• Supremely weird 'interview' with Drew Barrymore goes viral for all the wrong reasons
• Best beauty tech gadgets of 2022, so far
• This wholesome Twitter account compares Chris Evans to soft, fluffy golden retrievers
• Ignore the backlash — HUJI is still good
• Xbox Game Pass subscribers will soon be able to enjoy an E3
• Chaotic photos from the UK's annual cheese rolling contest
• Brett Kavanaugh's use of the word 'emotional' exposes a gross double standard

• Fritz vs. Ruud 2025 livestream: Watch Madrid Open for free
• The 13 best Doctor Who holiday gifts in the universe
• Journalists are being jailed for 'fake news,' and critics blame Trump
• 'Loki' is giving Tumblr a chance to relive its first Marvel obsession
• Commissioning Misleading Core i9
• The oldest U.S. polar bear turned 37 years old and she had a better birthday than you
• On a magical night 22 years ago, Jason Priestley punched Harvey Weinstein in the face
• Net neutrality isn't dead for these internet service providers
• Your 'wrong person' texts may be linked to Myanmar warlord
• 'Loki' is giving Tumblr a chance to relive its first Marvel obsession

• Best Apple deal: Save $19 on AirTag 4
• The top dating trends of 2021, so far
• Why the Northwest's heat wave didn't just break records, it obliterated them
• Why the latest Western heat wave will be so oppressive
• NYT Connections hints and answers for May 2: Tips to solve 'Connections' #691.
• Rose McGowan slams women planning to protest Golden Globes by wearing all black
• Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is coming, but only to U.S. and Europe, report says
• Dating show promotes openly sexist dude, and like, read the damn room
• The cicadas aren't invading the U.S.
• Facebook UFO group moderators want to know why no one cares about UFOs