Want to support your favorite streamer?
One of the easiest ways to do so is by becoming a subscriber.
This gives them some income while giving you access to emotes and other benefits.
But what if this streamer is so good and so awesome that you want to help them even more?
You can take your support to the next level by giving out gifted subs.
In this article, we’ll give you the rundown of what that term means and why it’s critical to know.
What Is a Gifted Sub on Twitch?
A gifted sub on Twitch is when a user buys a subscription for another user.
These are the same as normal subscriptions and give the recipient access to emotes, subscriber chats, and more.
They can be tier 1, tier 2, or tier 3 subscriptions (more details on the differences to come) and the recipient can choose to continue paying to be a subscriber of that channel when their gifted subscription expires.
The recipient doesn’t have to do anything to receive this gifted subscription.
They simply receive a notification and can start using it (even if they’ve never watched that stream in their life).
You can purchase gift subscriptions for specific Twitch viewers or followers in the chat.
The gifted subscription lasts for the amount of time that the sender paid for, and then expires. These don’t automatically renew, but the recipient has the option to renew their subscription if they so choose.
Why Are Gifted Subs Important?
Gifted subs are fantastic for streamers because they lead to more potential recurring income.
Since the recipient of a gifted subscription can choose to keep paying for it when their gift expires, it often leads to more revenue than a donation.
It also helps the streamer build their subscriber base quicker because their best fans can promote their stream for them.
This leverages the power of word-of-mouth marketing and leads to a bigger subscriber base and community.
…both of which lead to more income opportunities for the streamer down the road.
How Much Do Gifted Subs Cost?
The cost of gifted subs depends on the number of subscriptions you want to gift, how many months you want the subscriptions to be for, and which subscription tier you select.
Tier 1 subs cost $4.99 each, Tier 2 subs cost $9.99 each, and Tier 3 subs cost $24.99 each.
There aren’t any discounts for bulk orders and you can also choose how many months you want the gifted sub to be for. Taxes may also be applicable.
So your total cost completely depends on how many you buy, which tier you select, and how many months you cover.
Here are some examples:
If you’re wondering how much 100 gifted subs costs, it would be:
- Tier 1 – $499 + tax
- Tier 2 – $999 + tax
- Tier 3 – $999.60 + tax (limit of 40 at one time)
If you’re wondering how much 50 gifted subs cost, it would be:
- Tier 1 – $249.50 + tax
- Tier 2 – $499.50 + tax
- Tier 3 – $999.60 + tax (limit of 40 at a time)
How Much Do Streamers Make From Gifted Subs?
Twitch affiliates receive 50% of the cost of the subscription (just like they do for a standard subscription).
So, they make roughly $2.50 for each month of a Tier 1, $5 for each month of a Tier 2, and $12.50 for each month of a Tier 3.
It doesn’t sound like much, but it can add up really quickly (especially if subscribers stick around for multiple months).
For instance, if a streamer averages 100 Tier 1 subscriptions per month throughout a year, they would earn $2,994.
And if they grow to the Twitch partner level, they get to keep 70% of the revenue for their subscriptions.
That would bump the total for the example above to $4,191.60
How to Gift Subs on Twitch in # Steps
Step 1. Go to the channel you want to buy a gifted sub for.
Step 2. Click the drop-down arrow on the purple “Subscribe” or “Continue Subscription” button.
Step 3. Choose whether you’d like to gift a subscription anonymously.
Step 4. Chose whether to give to a specific Twitch user or a random person in the community.
If you don’t select a specific person it will automatically be given at random to someone in the community.
Step 5. Choose the subscription tier.
Step 6. Choose the number of gifted subs you want to give.
Step 7. Choose the duration of the gifted subscriptions.
Step 8. Click “Gift a Subscription”.
Are You Gonna Be the Santa Claus of Gifted Subs on Twitch?
Gifting subs helps both streamers and viewers.
Streamers get paid for their hard work and build a recurring revenue base and viewers get access to subscriber-only chats, emotes, and more.
Giving is good.
Don’t you wanna be good?
I know I do.
And we can both spread some joy in this world Santa Claus style by gifting some subs.
Now, there’s only one question…
What stream are you gonna buy people gift subscriptions to?
Stream for a Living is a small team of gamers, full-time content creators, and streamers who are dedicated to helping you grow your stream.