Twitch has become the leading live streaming platform for gamers and rising content creators. With over 30 million daily active users, Twitch offers an incredibly engaging way for creators to broadcast content and interact with a growing audience.
As a fan, supporting your favorite Twitch streamer is an impactful way to help them create more streams you love. In this beginner‘s guide, you‘ll learn the step-by-step process for the main donation options on Twitch.
Overview of Ways to Donate on Twitch
There are a few popular methods Twitch viewers utilize to donate to streamers:
- Bits – Twitch‘s virtual currency used to "Cheer" in chat. Streamers earn $0.01 per Bit used in their channel.
- Subscriptions – Recurring monthly subscription for access to exclusive channel perks and emotes.
- Direct Donations – Donations sent via external services like PayPal, linked by the streamer.
Below I‘ll explore how each donation method works, along with actionable steps for sending your support.
Step 1: Create a Free Twitch Account
To donate bits or subscribe on Twitch, you‘ll first need to create a free Twitch account:
- Go to twitch.tv and click Sign Up in the top right corner.
- Enter your email address and a secure password.
- Confirm your account via email verification.
- Optionally, customize your profile with a profile picture and short bio.
With an account created, you can now search for streamers and donate.
Step 2: Find a Streamer to Support
Next, locate the channel page of the Twitch streamer you wish to support:
- Use Twitch search bar to find a specific streamer
- Browse categories like Just Chatting, FIFA, or Fortnite
- Click Follow to get notifications whenever they go live
Take a moment to explore their channel, videos, schedule, and info in their profile. This will also indicate if they have donation links connected.
Step 3: Donate Twitch Bits
Twitch Bits are a fun way to cheer for your favorite stream moments in chat:
- While watching a live stream, click the Bits icon next to the chat box.
- Choose the number of Bits you wish to purchase (100, 500 etc). More Bits = bigger the animated cheer!
- Complete purchase confirmation and payment.
- Your Bits balance will update automatically.
To tip your bits:
- Type "cheer" into chat + number of bits (e.g. cheer500).
- Send animated cheer along with chat message.
Congrats – you‘ve helped support your favorite streamer with Bits! Remember, they receive $0.01 per Bit spent so 500 bits = $5.
Step 4: Subscribe to a Twitch Channel
Subscribing is a recurring way to donate monthly to a streamer‘s channel for access to these money-can‘t-buy perks:
- Ad-Free Viewing – No pesky ads with a subscription!
- Subscriber Badges – Display your sub loyalty in chat.
- Emotes – Channel exclusive emotes to take your chat game to the next level.
To become a subscriber:
- Under stream title click Subscribe.
- Select your tier level ($4.99/month, $9.99/month etc). Higher levels = more perks!
- Enter payment details to confirm transaction.
Subscribing will also display an alert in stream & your name appears in their "Recent Subscriber" section for some extra love! You can cancel auto-renew at any time.
Step 5: Donate Directly via Link
For direct donations, streamers often list external links to services like:
- PayPal
- Patreon
- Streamlabs
Check below stream title or their channel panels to find their donation link. When you click it, you‘ll be directed to complete your donation on their third party provider.
The amount received and any fees vary based on their donation service so read carefully beforehand! No strings attached though – it‘s a one-time tip to show support.
Step 6: Set a Monthly Donation Budget
As you get more invested in your favorite communities, it‘s smart to set a recurring monthly donation budget so you don‘t lose track of spending:
- Calendar reminder for budget reset date
- Note top 3 channels you want to subscribe/tip monthly
- Fixed dollar amount to allocate per channel
Building a habit keeps you engaged without going overboard! You’ll become a familiar, friendly name in their community in no time.
Common Twitch Donation Questions
Below I tackle some frequently asked questions about sending donations on Twitch:
- What’s the minimum amount I can donate? Amounts vary per streamer. Bits start from 100 ($1). Subscriptions begin at $4.99/month. Direct donations have no preset minimum.
- What fees do streamers pay on donations? Twitch takes a 50% commission from subscriber payments. Bits and direct donations are mostly fee-free aside from transaction processing costs.
- Can I donate on mobile? Yes! The Twitch mobile app allows for purchasing Bits, subscriptions and accessing direct donation links.
- Are my payment details secure? Yes, Twitch uses industry standard encryption to keep your information safe.
Twitch Donation Methods Comparison
Here is a summary table to compare the differences of available Twitch donation options at a quick glance:
| Donation Method | Recurring | Twitch Cut | Exclusive Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twitch Bits | No | 0% | Chat Cheers |
| Subscriptions | Yes | up to 50% | Ad-free viewing, emotes, badges |
| Direct Donations | No | 0% | Tip viewer appreciation |
So there you have it – whether you want to drop Bits, subcribe monthly or tip directly, you have options to support your favorite streamers!
Remember that behind every popular Twitch channel is a dedicated broadcaster putting in hours of work to craft an entertaining environment. Donations empower them to commit even more time to the craft and build an amazing space for fans new and old.
Feel free to reach out on Twitter @TwitchDonations with any other questions as you begin supporting channels! Now go empower that special Twitch community waiting to welcome you aboard.
