What Are Gifted Subs on Twitch and Why They Matter to Viewers

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TL;DR
Q: What are gifted subs on Twitch?
A: On Twitch, gifted subs are subscriptions that one viewer buys and gives to another user at no cost to them. They provide the recipient with a month of full subscriber benefits for free.

Ever seen a streamer suddenly thank a viewer for “gifting subs” and wondered what all the excitement was about? In the world of Twitch, these moments are more than just digital generosity, they’re community-building events that bring people closer together. Understanding what are gifted subs on Twitch can help both new viewers and long-time fans see why they’re such a big deal for creators and audiences alike. There’s more to them than just free perks, and the story behind them is worth exploring.

Gifted subs can spark joy for the recipient, boost support for the streamer, and create a ripple effect of engagement across the chat. They offer a way for fans to share the full subscriber experience with others, turning a simple watch session into a shared celebration. As more people learn how these subscriptions work, the sense of connection and generosity on Twitch grows even stronger. Keep reading to discover how gifted subs work, why they matter, and the impact they have on the streaming community.

What are Gifted Subs?

Gifted subscriptions, also known as gift subs, are a way for viewers to purchase a subscription to your channel for another viewer. Gift subs are a popular way for viewers to support their favorite streamers and share their love with their fellow community members.

When a viewer gifts a subscription, the recipient gains access to all the benefits of a regular subscriber, such as ad-free viewing, custom emotes, and exclusive chat features. The gifted sub also supports the streamer financially, as the revenue from the subscription is split between Twitch and the streamer.

For streamers, gifted subs are a big boost since they attract new subscribers, improve engagement, and can turn into long-term support. Those who gift subs are often thanked on stream, highlighting their role in community growth. For recipients, these subs provide benefits like ad-free viewing, exclusive emotes, and special chat privileges just like paid subscribers.

How to Get Gifted Subs on Twitch

To receive gifted subs on Twitch, you need to be an active viewer in a streamer’s community. These subscriptions are usually given by other viewers or the streamer themselves to you or fellow members.

• Be active in chat or the community: Gifted subs often go to engaged, positive, or lucky members in a streamer’s chat, with gifters choosing regular participants, contributors, or random viewers.
• Pay attention to gifted sub alerts: Twitch sends notifications in chat and on your subscription status when you receive a gifted sub.
• No payment needed to receive: Gifted subs are completely free for the recipient and are given by another viewer or the streamer.
• Given in bulk or individually: They may be gifted to multiple viewers at once or to specific individuals

So, start being active and supportive toward the streamers, ride on the Hype Train, then you might get lucky!

Why Gifted Subs Matter for Creator Channel

Gifted subscriptions can have a significant impact on your channel’s growth and success. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Increased Revenue

Gifted subs not only provide support to the streamer, but they also generate revenue for Twitch. As Twitch earns more revenue, they are more likely to promote and feature your channel, ultimately driving more viewers to your stream.

2. Community Building

Gifted subs are an excellent way to foster a sense of community and belonging among your viewers. When viewers gift a subscription to another member of your community, it creates a positive and inclusive environment that encourages engagement and support.

3. Social Proof

Gifted subs can also act as social proof, signaling to potential viewers that your channel is worth supporting. When viewers see that others are gifting subscriptions to your channel, they are more likely to check it out and become a part of your community.

How to Use Gifted Subs to Grow Your Twitch Community

Now that we understand the benefits of gifted subs, let’s explore how to use them to grow your Twitch community.

1. Promote Gifted Subs on Your Channel

One way to encourage gifted subs is to actively promote them on your channel. You can create alerts and overlays that recognize and thank viewers for their gifted subs, as well as share the benefits of gifting a subscription with your community.

2. Create Gift Sub Incentives

Offering incentives for gifted subs can also encourage viewers to support your channel. For example, you can offer exclusive emotes, chat privileges, or even a personalized shoutout for those who gift a certain number of subscriptions.

3. Encourage Viewer Gifting

Finally, you can encourage viewers to gift subscriptions to each other by creating a positive and supportive community. When viewers feel a sense of belonging and connection to your channel, they are more likely to want to support their fellow community members.

How to Get a Sub Button on Twitch

Another important aspect to note is that you must become a Twitch Affiliate in order for your channel to enable the sub button and receive subscriptions from viewers.

To obtain Twitch Affiliate status, you will need to enhance your social media presence. One effective strategy is to create short-form video content from your clips.

Did you know that there is a tool available that can automatically clip exciting moments from your Twitch stream? It’s called Eklipse.gg!

You can start creating your clips by doing this 3 simple steps:

1. Open your browser and go to the Eklipse.gg
2. Sign up with your Twitch account
3. Stream as usual, and the next morning you will have a number of clips automatically created by Eklipse.

Final Thoughts

Growing a loyal audience on Twitch takes more than just great content—it also requires building a community that feels connected and valued. One of the most effective ways to do that is by encouraging gifted subscriptions, a feature that rewards both the giver and the recipient. Understanding what are gifted subs on Twitch can help streamers tap into a powerful tool for boosting support, increasing engagement, and sparking a sense of camaraderie among viewers.

Gifted subs not only give recipients access to exclusive perks but also strengthen bonds between community members. When viewers share these benefits, they create a ripple effect of generosity that inspires others to join in. Streamers who promote and celebrate gifted subs often see their channels grow faster, fueled by both excitement and genuine connection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Do gifted subs automatically renew after a month? A: Gifted subs don’t renew automatically and last for one month. To stay subscribed after that, recipients must purchase their own sub.

Q: Can I choose who receives my gifted subscriptions? A: You can gift subs randomly to the community or directly to specific users. Random gifts are more common and often create more hype in chat.

Q: What happens if I receive a gifted sub but I’m already subscribed? A: If you already have a sub, a gifted sub will add one extra month to your subscription. All benefits remain, and your timer simply extends.

Q: Can streamers see who gifts anonymous subscriptions? A: Anonymous gifts hide the gifter’s name in chat, but streamers can still see it in their dashboard. This info is kept private from the public.

Q: Is there a limit to how many subscriptions I can gift? A: There’s no official limit on gifting subs, though payment methods and fraud checks may apply. Some users gift hundreds during special events.