Voicy Introduces "Gifts" Feature for Live Streaming, Enabling Monetization Through Speaking

Voicy Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kentaro Ogata) will launch the "Gifts" experience on its audio platform "Voicy" live streaming feature on July 1, 2026 (Wed). This feature allows listeners to send real-time support and gratitude to personalities.

The "Gifts" feature on Voicy was first introduced in 2021. It was born from the desire to recreate the Japanese cultural practice of visiting the dressing room after a live performance or play to offer a souvenir, but in an online setting.

Designed as a means of communication to convey support and gratitude, it responds to listener requests such as, "I usually listen for free, so I want to give back to the personality," and "The content is so rich, I wish there was a place where I could pay more."

This time, we have evolved "Gifts" into a new experience for live audio streaming, moving from the dressing room to the live stage itself.

Listener gifts will appear in real-time, decorating the screen, and the personality will read and respond to messages on the spot. What you say can directly become revenue. This live experience begins on Voicy.

Towards an Era Where "Speaking" Directly Generates Revenue

Amidst growing interest in the creator economy, over 60% of channels on Voicy are currently monetized. While we have offered multiple revenue streams such as premium listener subscriptions (monthly paid memberships) and paid broadcasts, the "Gifts" experience now adds a mechanism for real-time revenue generation during live voice broadcasts.

No special equipment or editing skills are required. You can start live streaming with just a smartphone, interact with listeners in real-time, and have your support directly translate into revenue. Voicy aims to deliver this experience to more people.

Diverse "Gift" Experiences Unfolding During Live Streams

A System to Excite Both Listeners and Personalities

You can choose from 8 types of items designed specifically for live streaming, starting from ¥100. Gifts are displayed in real-time in the comment section and enhance the live broadcast with animated effects. Each item has a different comment character limit and display duration, allowing listeners to choose how to send a gift based on their feelings and the situation.

Furthermore, the item lineup will be updated regularly. The introduction of limited-edition items tailored to seasons and events will ensure a continuous, fresh experience, encouraging users to think, "I want to send this now," or "I want to use this item in today's live broadcast."

New Communication Seen in Early Access

In late June, we conducted an early access trial with personalities who actively utilize live streaming. Various formats were tested, including anniversary live streams and open Q&A sessions. During the trial period, the number of gifts received was 7.4 times higher compared to regular gifts on the same channels.

The messages accompanying the gifts fostered communication unique to live voice broadcasts between personalities and listeners.

Messages expressing empathy for the broadcast, congratulations, and daily gratitude were received in real-time, such as, "The word XXX from last week's broadcast really resonated with me!", "Congratulations on your XXXth broadcast!", and "I won't be able to watch live tonight, so I'm sending a gift in advance!"

"Live consultations" also emerged, where listeners would ask questions about work or life issues along with their gifts, and personalities would respond on the spot.

Even more, other listeners who heard these interactions would respond with their own experiences, also accompanied by gifts. Interactions between listeners, which are less common in regular broadcasts, naturally unfolded.

Personalities who participated in the early access trial shared feedback such as, "The joy of receiving a gift was beyond imagination," and "It created a different kind of excitement compared to regular comments."

Commemorative Campaign and Collaboration Festival Planned for July

To commemorate the launch, a campaign featuring weekly rotating summer limited-edition items will be held throughout July 2026. These limited-time items will serve as a catalyst for listeners to send "support unique to this moment" and for personalities to create live broadcast plans that incorporate these limited items, further boosting the excitement of live events.

Additionally, a "Collaboration Festival" is planned, where personalities will collaborate on live streams. (Details of the campaign will be announced soon on Voicy's official social media accounts and other channels.)

Start with Just Your Voice: The Voicy Personality Option

Voicy personalities are primarily individuals selected through a rigorous screening process with an application acceptance rate of around 5%. A diverse range of personalities with expertise and unique perspectives in fields such as business, education, healthcare, entertainment, and lifestyle are active on over 2,000 channels.

Recording can be completed with just a smartphone, and no editing is required. No scripts or manuscripts are needed. Because "voice" is the simplest means of expression, unadorned personality and genuine feelings can be conveyed, fostering deep trust with listeners.

Voicy is currently recruiting new personalities. We encourage those who enjoy speaking, wish to share their expertise through voice, or are interested in real-time communication with listeners to apply.

▼ Voicy Personality Application Page: https://service.voicy.jp/personality

About the Audio Platform "Voicy"

"Voicy," with over 2.5 million registered members, is a comprehensive audio platform for "while-listening" to carefully selected content. The over 2,000 channels feature voices from personalities selected through a screening process with an acceptance rate of around 5%, including "Media Broadcasts" where news can be heard via voice, and "Owned Media" that conveys the personality of companies. This environment allows users to connect with people and information in their busy lives and encounter voices that enrich their daily lives. With an average listening retention rate of approximately 80%, a culture has emerged where many people enjoy broadcasts, often around 15 minutes long, until the end. Recording is simpler than any other form of content creation, and because the voice is unedited, content that conveys authenticity and passion is produced. Furthermore, amidst the growing attention on the creator economy, 60% of channels have achieved monetization.

https://voicy.jp/