Twitch Gifted Subs Guide for Viewers and Streamers

Twitch has transformed from a niche gaming platform into a global phenomenon, where millions of users interact with their favorite streamers on a daily basis. Among its many features, Gifted Subs have become a popular way for viewers to support content creators while also building community engagement. For both streamers and viewers, understanding how Gifted Subs work can significantly enhance their Twitch experience.

TL;DR – Quick Summary

Gifted Subs allow viewers to purchase subscriptions for other viewers, supporting streamers both financially and socially. This feature not only rewards lucky recipients with perks like ad-free viewing and emotes but also helps streamers grow their channels. Whether you’re gifting or receiving, it’s a simple yet powerful way to show appreciation and build community. For streamers, understanding how to encourage and acknowledge gifted subs can lead to greater viewer interaction and loyalty.

What Are Twitch Gifted Subs?

A Gifted Sub is a Twitch feature that allows viewers to purchase a subscription for someone else in the channel. When you gift a sub, the recipient gets all the benefits of a regular subscription, including:

• Access to custom emotes
• Ad-free viewing (where available)
• Chat privileges like sub-only mode
• Subscriber badges and loyalty icons

Gifted subs can be given to specific users or at random to the community through what is known as Community Gifted Subs.

Types of Gifted Subs

Currently, there are two main kinds of gifted subs on Twitch:

1. Single Gift Sub: Gifting a subscription to one specific user of your choice.
2. Community Gift Sub: Buying multiple subscriptions which Twitch then randomly distributes to viewers in the channel.

Community gift subs are often used during raids, milestones, or special events to celebrate or boost engagement.

How to Gift a Sub as a Viewer

If you’re looking to support a Twitch streamer, gifting subs is straightforward:

1. Go to the streamer’s channel.
2. Click on the “Subscribe” button.
3. Select “Gift a Sub”.
4. You can either choose a specific user or click “Gift to the Community”.
5. Pick the number of subs you want to give (5, 10, 20, etc.)
6. Complete the purchase via your payment method.

Once completed, the gifted users will be notified in the chat, and the streamer may have special alerts set up to acknowledge your contribution.

Gifted Subs Benefits for Streamers

For content creators, the impact of gifted subs is both financial and strategic. Each gift sub contributes to their monthly revenue and helps boost their subscription metrics, which in turn can unlock higher Twitch partnership tiers and incentive programs.

Key benefits include:

• Increased revenue
• More chat engagement
• Improved community retention
• Recognition on leaderboards

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Streamers often see spikes in interaction when gift subs are happening, especially if the process is gamified with animations, goal meters, or live shout-outs.

Encouraging Gifted Subs as a Streamer

While you can’t always expect viewers to spend money, there are tactics streamers use to increase the likelihood of gifted subs:

1. Overlay Alerts: Use exciting notifications when someone gifts a sub.
2. Sub Goals: Create milestone bars showing progress toward a goal.
3. Special Rewards: Offer mini-games, shout-outs, or special privileges for gifters.
4. Exclusive Content: Provide extra content or Discord access to subscribers.

It’s also important to acknowledge and thank gifters. A personal thank-you goes a long way in encouraging repeat support.

Cost of Gifted Subs

The pricing follows the same structure as regular subscriptions:

• Tier 1: $4.99 USD per month
• Tier 2: $9.99 USD per month
• Tier 3: $24.99 USD per month

Most gifted subs are Tier 1 unless otherwise selected. Gifting multiple subs at once (e.g., 5 or 10) can add up quickly, so it’s important for viewers to spend within their means.

Who Gets a Community Gifted Sub?

When subs are gifted to the community, Twitch uses an algorithm to choose recipients. Typically, these are viewers who:

• Have recently been active in chat
• Are currently watching the stream
• Have not received a sub recently

This ensures a wider spread and gives new or non-subbed users a chance to engage more deeply in the community.

Managing Gifted Subs as a Viewer

If you’ve been gifted a sub, congratulations! You now have one month of subscriber benefits, with no recurring charges. You can:

• Let it expire naturally
• Choose to renew it yourself after a month
• Disable future gifted subs in your Twitch settings

To manage these, go to your “Subscriptions” tab on your Twitch account and look under the “Gifted Subscriptions” section.

Streamers’ Revenue from Gifted Subs

Gifted subs contribute just like standard subs. On average, Twitch gives streamers:

• 50% of the sub’s value (approximately $2.50 on a $4.99 tier)

Larger streamers or partners may have higher revenue splits up to 70%. This makes gifted subs a significant source of income for full-time content creators.

Pro Tips for Maximizing Gifted Subs

• Timers: Use chat bots to remind viewers of sub goals.
• Themed Streams: Run gift subathons or special events.
• Interactive Elements: Spin wheels, jokes, or shout-outs for every gifted sub can add fun and spontaneity.
• Leaderboard Incentives: Showcase weekly or monthly top gifters with on-screen banners or VIP badges.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do gifted subs auto-renew?

No, gifted subs only last for one month. The recipient is under no obligation to pay after that.

Can I choose who to give the sub to?

Yes, you can choose a specific user or choose to let Twitch distribute it randomly among chatters.

Can a streamer see who gifted a sub?

Yes, streamers and chat see notifications about who gifted and to whom.

Do mods get gifted subs?

Mods are included like any other viewer in the gifted sub lottery unless they already have a sub.

How can I disable receiving gifted subs?

Go to your Settings > Prime Gaming > Subscriptions and unselect the option to allow gifted subs.

Final Thoughts

Gifted subs are more than just digital transactions — they are a vibrant part of the Twitch culture. Whether you’re a viewer wanting to show appreciation or a streamer aiming to grow your audience, embracing this feature can lead to stronger communities and more entertaining experiences. Just remember to celebrate every sub and create content that makes viewers excited to support your stream.