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.

Read Also

Twitch

xQc Talks Subathons and Reveals Why He Avoids Them Khizar Mundia Félix “xQc” Lengyel is a major force in the streaming world, with his earnings being among the highest in the industry. However, despite this success, xQc has never done subathons — and the Kick streamer has revealed his reasons. Subathons have become an important element in the streaming world, as they are both engaging for viewers and beneficial for creators. Kai Cenat is arguably the most famous streamer who made ...

GTA

Rockstar Backs NoPixel V — What GTA 6 Means for GTA RP Khizar Mundia GTA 6 is about to release, and Rockstar has decided that it is the optimal time to announce that its collaborative GTA RP, NoPixel V, is about to enter closed beta. Roleplaying has been a major element in GTA, with several gaming streamers building their entire brand and community around it. NoPixel Studios is one of the most famous names in GTA RP, and NoPixel V is the newest version, ...

Twitch

QTCinderella Streamer Awards 2026 Key Changes: Creators Can Self-Apply and Kick Streamers Are Eligible Khizar Mundia Blaire “QTCinderella” has revealed multiple notable changes ahead of the upcoming  Streamer Awards 2026, with the key ones being that streamers don’t have to rely on the community to nominate them for an award, and Kick creators are also now eligible for the event. The Streamer Awards became a staple of the streaming space after the event’s 2022 inception. QTCinderella has hosted them annually, with several popular creators being awarded ...

Twitch

Kalshi Prediction Markets on iShowSpeed Hitting 100 Million YouTube Subscribers Khizar Mundia Darren “iShowSpeed” Watkins Jr. is one of the most popular YouTubers in the world, and the next logical milestone for him is to reach 100 million subscribers. Kalshi is offering a popular prediction market on the matter, and traders are already speculating when he will hit the record number. 2026 has arguably been the best year for iShowSpeed, even though there are several months remaining for it to end. Speed ...

GTA

iShowSpeed and Kai Cenat Live-React to GTA 6 Netflix Extended Look Khizar Mundia For the upcoming GTA 6 release, it is fair to say that Rockstar Games has done things differently. Instead of the traditional gameplay trailer that we have come to expect, the developer instead utilized streaming platform Netflix for an extended look. What's more, some organic marketing fit for the 21st century took place at the same time, with several notable streamers, including Darren “iShowSpeed” Watkins Jr., reacting to the footage ...

Twitch

Kevin Hart Thinks Livestreaming Is the Future, Says Kai Cenat Does Super Bowl Numbers Khizar Mundia Hollywood actor and comedian Kevin Hart recently discussed the stratospheric popularity of content creators, comparing Kai Cenat’s livestreams to the Super Bowl in terms of viewership. Kai Cenat is unquestionably one of the biggest streamers in the world right now, and Hollywood actor Kevin Hart has used his viewership reach as an example of why livestreaming is a major opportunity for the young generation. James Dumoulin is a significantly popular ...

Twitch

Here’s What We Know About Kai Cenat’s Annual Mafia Stream Khizar Mundia Twitch star Kai Cenat has returned to full-time streaming with some of the most notable broadcasts of his career — and now he has announced that he will start an annual tradition of hosting a Mafia stream. Kai Cenat has shown no signs of slowing down since his return from his unexpected hiatus. The streamer hosted Streamer University 2026, competed in gaming marathons, announced that he wants to be the ...