A “Subscribe” button allows viewers to donate money to support your Twitch channel on a monthly basis. Adding a subscribe button is a great way to start monetizing your content and earning money while streaming on Twitch. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to add a subscribe button to your Twitch channel.
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Requirements for Getting a Subscribe Button
In order to get a subscribe button, you need to reach Affiliate or Partner status on Twitch.
The requirements for Affiliate status are:
- Gain 50 followers
- Maintain an average of 3 simultaneous viewers within the last 30 days
- Stream for at least 500 minutes in the last 30 days
- Stream on at least 7 different days in the last 30 days
Once you meet these requirements and get accepted into the Affiliate Program, you will automatically get access to the subscribe button.
Adding a Subscription Link in Your Twitch Panels
Besides the main subscribe button, you can also add a subscription link in your Twitch panels. This allows viewers another way to subscribe to your channel.
Here are the steps to add a subscription link:
- Open Twitch and go to your channel
- Click on the “About” tab
- Toggle “Edit Panels” to edit your panels
- Add a new panel called “Subscribe”
- In the text box, add the link
https://twitch.tv/subs/YOUR_CHANNEL_NAME - Click “Submit” to save the changes
You can also add other useful links in your panels like social media profiles or affiliate links.
Customizing Your Subscribe Button
Once you gain access to the subscribe button, you can customize the subscriber perks including:
- Emotes: Subscribers gain access to unique custom emotes
- Badges: Special badges appear next to subscribers’ names in chat
- Ad-free viewing: Subscribers can watch your streams ad-free
To customize your subscriber perks:
- Go to your Creator Dashboard
- Click on “Channel”
- Go to “Subscription Settings”
- Edit sub badges, emotes, ad settings etc.
Providing great subsriber benefits encourages more viewers to subscribe!
Promoting Your Subscribe Button
Here are some tips for promoting your subscribe button and getting more subscribers:
Inform Viewers About Subscribing
Let viewers know they can subscribe to support your channel. Give frequent reminders about subscribing during your streams.
Offer Subscriber Benefits
Entice viewers to subscribe by offering perks like sub-only giveaways, exclusive content, personalized shoutouts, etc.
Display Sub Count and Goals
Show your current subscriber count and sub goals to encourage more subs. Tools like Streamlabs let you easily add sub count overlays.
Run a Subathon
A subathon is an extended length stream with sub goals that unlock incentives. It’s a great way to rapidly gain subs.
Collaborate With Other Streamers
Collaborating with other streamers exposes your channel to new audiences who may subscribe.
With persistence and creativity, you can build a thriving community of loyal subscribers!
Twitch Subscription Payment Process
When a viewer subscribes to your Twitch channel, here is what happens behind the scenes:
- The viewer pays the subscription fee to Twitch (typically $4.99 per month)
- Twitch keeps a platform fee and part of the revenue share
- The remaining subscription money gets added your affiliate/partner payout balance
- On the 15th of each month, the payout balance gets paid out to you
So you don’t get subscriber money instantly, but rather on a monthly basis along with the rest of your Twitch earnings.
Twitch Prime Subscriptions
Viewers who have an Amazon Prime membership can subscribe to one Twitch channel per month for free. This is an excellent way to gain more subscribers.
To qualify for Prime subs, you need to be a Twitch Affiliate or Partner. Make sure to inform your viewers they can use their free Prime sub on your channel to support your streams!
Tips for Growing Your Subscriber Count
Here are some additional tips for increasing your number of subscribers on Twitch:
- Stream consistently – Make streaming on a predictable schedule so fans know when to watch you. Consistency helps build a loyal audience.
- Offer variety – Switch up your games, activities, special events etc. to keep things exciting for viewers so they want to keep subscribing.
- Engage with chat – Interact with your viewers in the chat to make them feel included as part of your community.
- Promote on social media – Market your Twitch channel across social platforms to drive more viewers. Promote when you go live and highlight sub perks.
- Analyze metrics – Use analytics to determine what stream content and times are most popular so you can refine your approach.
If you provide value to your Twitch viewers, your subscriber count and revenue will continue to grow over time. Be patient, work hard, and have fun streaming!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money do you make from Twitch subscriptions?
As an affiliate, you earn 50% of the subscription fee, which is typically $2.50 per sub. Partners earn a higher monthly share of subscription revenue.
How many subscribers do you need to make money?
The more subs you have, the more money you make! But even just a few dedicated subscribers can add up over time. You need at least 100 subscribers per month to receive an affiliate payout.
Can you have subscribers without being a partner?
Yes, affiliates also get access to subscriptions. However, partners get more revenue from subs as well as additional monetization options.
Once you meet the affiliate requirements, you can gain access to the sub button right away. The approval process usually takes 1-2 days.
What happens if I lose affiliate status?
If you fall below the affiliate requirements, you will lose access to the subscribe button along with other monetization options. Maintain an active streaming schedule to prevent this.
With persistence and hard work, you can build a sustainable income stream on Twitch through subscriptions. Focus on creating value for your viewers and community to retain subscribers long-term.
