Gifted subscriptions have exploded in popularity on Twitch over the past couple of years. As a Twitch expert and entrepreneur, I regularly get asked – what are gifted subs, and how do they work?
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explain everything you need to know about gifting subscriptions on Twitch.
What Are Gifted Subs?
Gifted subs allow Twitch viewers to pay for subscriptions to a channel on behalf of another user. The recipient gets a free subscription without paying anything themselves.
According to Twitch‘s support site, over 15 million gifted subscriptions are purchased each month.
When you gift a sub:
- You pay the full subscription cost – either $4.99, $9.99, or $24.99 per month depending on the tier.
- The recipient gets premium access to the channel like emotes, badges, and ad-free viewing.
- Gifted subs auto-renew each month until manually cancelled, up to 12 months.
Gifting helps grow a channel‘s sub count and community. The gifted user gets a taste of the perks, hopefully sticking around long-term.
Why Gift Subs? Benefits for Streamers and Viewers
As a Twitch streamer myself, gifted subs are hugely impactful for creator revenue and building a loyal community.
- For streamers, it‘s a way to earn a monthly income and reach new potential regulars. According to StreamCharts, top creators like xQc earn over $500k per month from subscriptions.
- For viewers, gifting a sub shows support and allows gifters to help grow a favorite community. It feels good promoting creators and channels you love!
- Recipients get to enjoy subscriber-only perks and interact more deeply with the community, hopefully turning them into regulars.
- Bit donations are one-time. Gifted subs provide ongoing monthly income for streamers.
Gifting a sub forges an ongoing three-way relationship between gifter, streamer, and recipient. It‘s more personal and community-focused than a one-off tip.
How to Gift Subscriptions on Twitch
Gifting a subscription is quick and easy:
- Visit the channel‘s page you want to gift to.
- Click the "Gift Subscription" icon next to the stream video.
- Select a specific user to gift to, or gift anonymously/randomly.
- Choose 1-12 months for the gift duration.
- Pick a subscription tier – $4.99, $9.99, or $24.99.
- Enter your payment details and complete the transaction.
That‘s it! The user will receive a notification about their gifted sub. You can also view pending and past gifts under "Purchase History" in your Twitch account.
Tips for Gifting Subs
Keep these tips in mind when gifting subs:
- Gift thoughtfully to help grow a streamer‘s community, not randomly or in excess.
- Spread gifts out instead of all at once. Monthly recurring revenue is more helpful long-term.
- Maximizing gifting during special events and streams creates a bigger splash.
- Don‘t use gifting solely to get the attention of a streamer. Intentions matter.
Receiving Gifted Subscriptions
As a viewer, you can‘t directly ask for gifted subs. It all comes down to a generous user picking you. But a few tips can raise your chances:
- Engage positively with your favorite communities. Be an active chatter and contributor.
- Follow channels doing lots of gifting. You‘re more likely to get picked randomly.
- Note gifting trends and popular gift timings. Many creators gift subs at stream starts or to celebrate milestones.
- Avoid asking directly for gifts. It looks grabby rather than grateful.
Building genuine connections and friendships within channel communities organically grows gifted sub opportunities.
Key Takeaways on Gifted Subscriptions
Gifting on Twitch has exploded for good reason – it benefits streamers, viewers, and recipients in multiple ways. As both a Twitch streamer and avid viewer myself, here are my key takeaways:
- Gifted subs are a recurring source of monthly income for partnered creators, while supporting communities.
- Thoughtful gifting spreads awareness and furthers growth for favorite streamers.
- For recipients, being gifted a sub gives them a chance to better engage with streams they enjoy.
- Gifting strengthens tri-fold relationships between gifters, streamers, and community members.
Understanding gifting etiquette and strategies gives you an edge on Twitch. Apply these tips to make a bigger impact when supporting your favorite creators and channels.
