Twitch Alerts Explained: Complete Guide to Stream Alerts, Notifications & Alert Extensions

Key Takeaways

• Alerts acknowledge viewer actions with on-screen animations, sounds, and text for follows, subs, donations, Bits, and raids.
• Free platforms available - Streamlabs and StreamElements offer comprehensive free alert systems.
• Essential for engagement - alerts create feedback loops that encourage more viewer interaction.
• Highly customizable - design alerts that match your brand with custom sounds, animations, and styling.
• Extension-based alerts like Sound Alerts and Blerp add viewer-triggered sound interactions.

Core Alert Components

Most stream alerts include these elements:

• Visual animation: GIF, video, or animated graphic that appears on screen
• Sound effect: Audio that plays to draw attention to the alert
• Text display: The viewer's name and action (e.g., "UserName just subscribed!")
• Duration: How long the alert stays visible (typically 3-10 seconds)
• Message: Optional custom message from the viewer (for donations, subs, etc.)

Why Alerts Matter

Alerts serve multiple important functions for stream growth:

• Acknowledgment: Viewers feel recognized when their action triggers a visible response
• Social proof: Seeing others follow/subscribe encourages new viewers to do the same
• Engagement loops: Alerts prompt streamer reactions, creating content moments
• Monetization visibility: Makes donations and subs feel more impactful
• Hype building: Multiple alerts during Hype Trains create excitement

Follower Alerts

Triggered when a viewer clicks the Follow button on your channel.

Some streamers disable follower alerts during high-traffic events to prevent constant interruptions.

Subscriber Alerts

Triggered when viewers subscribe to your channel, including new subs, resubscribes, and gift subs.

Bits/Cheer Alerts

Triggered when viewers cheer with Bits in chat. Many streamers configure tiered alerts based on Bit amounts:

• 1-99 Bits: Simple sound, minimal animation
• 100-499 Bits: Standard alert animation and sound
• 500-999 Bits: Enhanced animation, longer duration
• 1000+ Bits: Premium alert with special effects
• 5000+ Bits: Rare alert, maximum celebration

Tiered alerts encourage larger cheers by offering bigger reactions. Learn more about Bits in our complete Bits guide.

Donation Alerts

Triggered by external donation platforms (PayPal, Streamlabs Tips, StreamElements Tips). Unlike Bits which go through Twitch, donations go directly to the streamer's configured payment method.

Donation alerts typically display:

• Donor name: The name entered by the donator
• Amount: Donation value in local currency
• Message: Custom message (often with text-to-speech option)

Raid Alerts

Triggered when another streamer raids your channel, bringing their viewers to your stream.

Raid alerts should be impactful because raids represent significant community support. Most streamers:

• Use larger, more celebratory animations for raids
• Display the raiding streamer's name prominently
• Show the number of raiders
• Include a shoutout command or overlay element

Host Alerts

Triggered when another channel hosts your stream (legacy feature, less common since raids became preferred). Host alerts function similarly to raid alerts but without transferring viewers directly.

Streamlabs

Streamlabs is one of the most popular alert platforms, known for its user-friendly interface and integration with Streamlabs Desktop (formerly Streamlabs OBS).

Key Features:

• Large library of free alert themes
• Integrated donation system (Streamlabs Tips)
• Alert box widget for any streaming software
• Text-to-speech support for donations
• Alert variation system for randomized animations
• Mobile app for managing alerts on the go

Best For: Beginners and streamers using Streamlabs Desktop

StreamElements

StreamElements offers a comprehensive, fully browser-based alert system with powerful customization options.

Key Features:

• Overlay editor with drag-and-drop widgets
• Custom CSS/HTML support for advanced users
• SE.Pay donation system
• Loyalty points integration
• Activity feed and leaderboards
• Works with any streaming software via browser source

Best For: Streamers wanting advanced customization without premium subscriptions

Platform Comparison

Step 1: Create an Account

Sign up for your chosen platform (Streamlabs or StreamElements) using your Twitch account. This authorizes the platform to receive event notifications from your channel.

Step 2: Configure Alert Types

Navigate to the alerts section and configure each alert type:

• Enable/disable: Choose which events trigger alerts
• Animation: Select or upload visual elements (GIF, video, image)
• Sound: Choose or upload audio files (typically 1-5 seconds)
• Text template: Customize the message format (e.g., "{name} just followed!")
• Duration: Set how long alerts display
• Minimum amount: For Bits/donations, set thresholds for alerts

Step 3: Get the Widget URL

Copy your unique alert box URL. This is a browser source link that displays your alerts when events occur. The URL is private and tied to your account.

Step 4: Add to Streaming Software

In OBS, Streamlabs Desktop, or your preferred software:

1. Add a new Browser Source to your scene
2. Paste the alert box URL
3. Set dimensions (typically 800x600 or match your canvas)
4. Position the source where you want alerts to appear
5. Test with the platform's test button

Pro Tip: Alert Positioning

Place alerts where they won't obscure important game UI or your webcam. Common positions:

• Top center: Visible but out of gameplay area
• Bottom third: Below typical game HUD
• Corner placement: Safe but less prominent
• Webcam adjacent: Creates natural reaction moments

Visual Design

Create or commission custom alert graphics that match your stream aesthetic:

• File formats: GIF, WebM, MP4 for animations; PNG for static
• Transparency: Use transparent backgrounds for clean overlay integration
• Resolution: Match your stream resolution (1080p recommended)
• Color scheme: Match your overall brand colors and overlay design
• Animation length: 2-5 seconds for most alerts

Sound Design

Audio is crucial for alert impact, especially when viewers aren't watching the screen:

• Format: MP3 or OGG (under 1MB recommended)
• Length: 1-3 seconds for frequent alerts, up to 5 seconds for rare events
• Volume: Normalize to avoid jarring volume spikes
• Uniqueness: Different sounds for different alert types help viewers identify events
• Brand fit: Match your stream's tone (serious, funny, energetic)

Text Styling

Customize how text appears in alerts:

• Font: Use Google Fonts or upload custom fonts
• Size: Large enough to read quickly
• Color: High contrast against your alert background
• Outline/shadow: Improves readability over game footage
• Animation: Fade, slide, or pop-in effects

Alert Variations

Many platforms support multiple variations for each alert type, randomly selecting from your collection:

• Upload 3-5 different animations for the same alert type
• Create themed variations for special events
• Use variations to prevent repetitive-feeling alerts
• Test regularly to ensure all variations work

Sound Alerts

Sound Alerts is a popular extension that lets viewers trigger sounds using Bits or Channel Points.

Features:

• Viewers browse and trigger sounds from a library
• Streamers earn revenue from Bits-triggered sounds
• Upload custom sounds for your community
• Set cooldowns to prevent spam
• Queue system for multiple triggers

Blerp

Blerp offers a similar sound-triggering experience with an extensive meme and sound effect library. It's particularly popular for reaction streams and Just Chatting content.

Extension vs. Traditional Alerts

Most streamers use both: traditional alerts for follows/subs/donations, and extensions for viewer-triggered sounds.

Volume Balancing

Alert volume should be noticeable but not overwhelming:

• Test alerts against your game audio and music
• Alert sounds should cut through without being jarring
• Consider different volumes for different alert types (subs louder than follows)
• Use audio normalization on your alert files

Frequency Management

Too many alerts can interrupt gameplay and annoy viewers:

• Alert queuing: Enable queue to prevent overlapping alerts
• Minimum thresholds: Set minimum Bit/donation amounts for alerts
• Cooldowns: Limit how often the same user can trigger alerts
• Batch alerts: Some platforms combine multiple follows into one alert
• Scene-specific: Consider disabling alerts during intense gameplay

Text-to-Speech Guidelines

TTS (text-to-speech) reads donation/Bits messages aloud. Configure carefully:

• Minimum amount: Set a threshold (e.g., $3 or 300 Bits) for TTS activation
• Character limit: Limit message length to prevent long interruptions
• Word filters: Block inappropriate words and common TTS exploits
• Volume: TTS should be clearly audible but not louder than your voice
• Voice selection: Choose a voice that fits your stream's tone

TTS Security Warning

Text-to-speech can be exploited to make your stream say inappropriate things. Always:

• Use profanity filters (but know they're not perfect)
• Block common TTS bypass techniques
• Set reasonable minimum amounts to deter trolls
• Know how to quickly skip/mute TTS during stream
• Consider moderator approval for large donations

Alerts Not Showing

Audio Issues

• No sound: Check browser source audio settings, ensure "Control audio via OBS" is configured correctly
• Sound too quiet/loud: Adjust volume in alert platform or OBS audio mixer
• Distorted audio: Lower volume, check source file quality
• Wrong output device: Configure browser source audio routing

Performance Issues

If alerts cause lag or frame drops:

• Reduce alert animation complexity (smaller files, shorter duration)
• Use GIF instead of video for simple animations
• Limit simultaneous browser sources
• Enable hardware acceleration in OBS browser source settings

Small Channels (0-100 average viewers)

• Enable all alert types to maximize recognition
• Follower alerts are especially valuable for building community
• Take time to acknowledge each alert verbally
• Use alerts as conversation starters with new viewers

Medium Channels (100-1000 average viewers)

• Consider disabling or minimizing follower alerts
• Focus on sub, Bits, and donation alerts
• Set minimum thresholds for Bits alerts
• Use alert queuing to manage volume

Large Channels (1000+ average viewers)

• Disable follower alerts entirely
• Higher minimum thresholds for Bits/donations
• Consider dedicated alert scenes for lower-traffic moments
• Use moderators to filter inappropriate messages
• Implement special alerts for major supporters

Scene-Specific Alerts

Configure different alert behaviors for different scenes:

• Just Chatting: Full alerts with longer durations
• Gameplay: Minimal alerts in corner positions
• BRB screen: Full-screen celebration alerts
• Competitive: Sound-only or disabled entirely

Milestone Alerts

Create special alerts for significant moments:

• Follower milestones (100, 500, 1000, etc.)
• Sub goal completions
• Donation goal progress
• Anniversary celebrations

Seasonal and Event Alerts

Refresh alerts for special occasions:

• Holiday-themed alerts (Halloween, Christmas, etc.)
• Game launch events
• Charity stream special alerts
• Anniversary or channel birthday themes

Related Resources

• Twitch Bits Complete Guide - Understanding Bits and Cheermotes
• Twitch Subscriptions Guide - Subscriber tiers and benefits
• Stream Overlays Guide - Complete overlay design guide
• Channel Points Guide - Viewer rewards and engagement
• Bits Revenue Calculator - Calculate Bits earnings