Ko-fi Stream Alerts
Unlike other services, Ko-fi lets you receive donations directly from your viewers with 0% platform fees. Display your Ko-fi link and crowdfunding goal on your overlay and create custom alerts with text-to-speech or add GIFs when you receive a donation.
It works with most broadcasting software that supports 'browser alerts' so you can make money on Ko-fi while you stream on Twitch, Facebook or YouTube!
Setting Up Ko-fi Stream Alerts
To get started head over to Stream Alerts settings, from there it's just 3 quick steps:
- Customize your alerts until you are happy with the look and sound of your displayed message, detailed guide below. Then copy your stream alert overlay link:
- Open your broadcasting software e.g. OBS, Streamlabs, Streamyard, etc., and a new browser source and paste your link. Detailed software guides below.
- Check it's working by sending a test alert.
Add Your Goal Overlay to Your Stream
Start by making sure you have a Goal setup, learn more about setting up a Ko-fi Goal.
- Head over to your Stream Alerts > Goal Overlay and choose a color to fit your theme.
- Open your broadcasting software e.g. OBS, Streamlabs, Streamyard, etc. and a new browser source and paste your link. (Detailed guide below.)
- Your goal should update live with any tips and subs that come on stream.
Add an Animated Overlay to Your Stream
- Head over to your Stream Alerts > Animated Overlay and choose a GIF from Giphy or paste in the URL of a GIF.
- Open your broadcasting software e.g. OBS, Streamlabs, Streamyard etc. and a new browser source and paste your link. (Detailed guide below.)
- Your GIF should play with any tips and subs that come in whilst you stream.
Design Your Stream Alert
From the Stream Alert settings page, you can control how your alerts look, sound, and even how long they stay on screen.
- Your Stream Alert Overlay link, copy and add it to your OBS.
- After making changes to your alert, click on Send a Test Alert to preview the changes on your stream.
- Refer to this preview of your alerts as you make changes.
- As standard, just your Ko-fi link will display on stream but you can add a call-to-action such as "Support me at ko-fi.com/yourpage".
- Compose the Alert Text that displays when you receive a donation.
- Write your alert text and add donation info such as:
- {from_name} displays the Supporter name,
- {amount} shows the value of the donation,
- {message} displays the messages left by the supporter.
- Write your alert text and add donation info such as:
-
Have your Supporter's tips and subs read out by enabling Text-To-Speech. Click the
icon to customize the voice and language your alerts are read in. You can also create a filter of words for messages you don't want to be read on steam.
Note: To hear how Text-To-Speech alerts sound, just send a test alert once you have the overlay added to OBS (another streaming tool).
- Hide or show your link on stream.
- Select the Duration the alert appears on your stream.
- Pick where your Alert Position is displayed when you get a tip on stream.
- Pick a color for your link and alert that suits you.
- Control the opacity of your alert to match your overlay.
- Add custom sounds that play when you receive a donation during your stream.
Setup Stream Alerts for Your OBS
Download the latest OBS Software and create a new scene by clicking the + in the "Scenes" pane on the bottom left of the screen.
Then in the "Sources" pane click + to add a new source and make the source 'Browser'. You might need the latest version of OBS or a plugin from OBS for Browser to be an option.
Name your source, for example, "Ko-fi Link".
Paste in the URL from your Stream Alerts settings page and click OK.
Stream Alerts should now be set up.
Audio Tip: Tick the "Control audio via OBS" option to add a separate track to the Audio Mixer for more control over your Stream Alerts' volume.
Your Ko-fi URL will now be displayed in your scene. Make sure that the red frame is completely visible in your scene so the Stream Alert can be properly displayed.
Send a test alert from the Stream Alerts settings page to make sure it's working.
Next, select + next to "Layers" > "Browser Source" and click Add.
Paste the link from your Stream Alerts settings page under "Webpage" and click the little arrow to connect your Stream Alert.
Make sure to send a test alert before you go live to confirm that it's working!
Set Up Your Goal Overlay
Head to Stream Alerts > Scroll down to Goal Overlay > Copy your Goal Overlay link.
Head to your broadcasting software > Add a browser source layer to your stream > Insert your link to the URL link box > Choose your goal overlay.
Your goal overlay should appear with your goal details when you stream.
Note: Currently, any payment you receive apart from shop purchases will update your goal progress.
Set Up Your Animated Overlay
Go to Stream Alerts > Scroll down to ‘Animated Overlay’ > Choose a GIF from Giphy or paste in the URL of any GIF or sticker.
Copy your Animated Overlay link.
To add to your stream, head to your broadcasting software > Create a browser source layer > Paste your Animated Overlay link in the URL link box > Choose where you want the GIF to display.
Your GIF should appear every time you receive support on stream.
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FAQ
It is completely free to use our Stream Alerts, unlike other services we take 0% platform fees on donations!
Yes, head to Stream Alerts > Animated Overlay > add your GIF URL or choose from Giphy and add your animated overlay to your stream. Every time you receive a payment, your GIF will play with your stream alert.