YouTube Gaming introduces gift subs, here’s how they work

William Davis Published 11/05/2022

As many Twitch streamers leave for YouTube Gaming, they can take the gift subs system with them.

YouTube Gaming has launched a gift subs equivalent beta program. Gifted memberships will function almost the exact same as they do on Twitch, but a couple of key differences. The program is currently a limited beta for high-profile creators. Here’s how YouTube gifted memberships work and how to get them.

Popular streamer Rachell “Valkyrae” Hofstetter announced the beta through social media on May 10. YouTube has teased adding a gift subs equivalent for most of 2022. This is the first time that the program has been confirmed to exist. Existing streamers can apply to join the gifted memberships beta through a survey.

This move is part of Youtube Gaming’s slow advance on Twitch’s streaming market. The newer platform has already courted several major streamers including Herschel “Dr DisRespect” Beahm and Sykkuno. Gift subs are a significant portion of big streamers’ income, so adding them to YouTube gives streamers even more reason to ditch Twitch.

How do YouTube gifted memberships work?

To receive YouTube gift subs, viewers will first need to enable gifted memberships. This can be done through the gift symbol on the chat ticker or when another viewer buys subs. On enabled channels, viewers will be automatically entered to win random gift subs purchased by another. Viewers lucky enough to get a gift sub can enjoy all the membership perks including custom emotes.

During the gifted membership beta, viewers can only purchase gift subs through desktop mode. Mobile options are likely to be added after the official release. Purchasing gifted memberships is also limited to existing subscribers.

Gifted YouTube memberships are currently only enabled for channels with joining costs of $5 or less. Creators can change their joining price to fit the beta’s requirement. This limit will probably also be extended once the gifted memberships feature goes official.

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