Guide

# Stream alerts: how to set up Twitch alerts in OBS

Updated November 11, 2026 · 4 min read

An alert is an on-screen notification when a viewer follows, subscribes, tips or sends Bits. Alerts make support visible: the viewer sees their action on stream, and everyone else sees the channel being supported.

Here are the types of alerts, how to add them to OBS, how to set up sound and TTS, and what keeps chat alive between alerts.

Below: which Twitch alerts exist, how to add them to OBS, how to set the sound and what fills the stream between alerts.

## Types of alerts

Alerts usually fire on events that bring the channel support.

- follows: new channel followers;
- subs and gift subs;
- Bits: cheers in chat;
- tips through a donation service;
- raids: when another streamer sends viewers your way;
- Channel Points reward redemptions.

## How to add alerts to OBS

Almost every alert service works the same way: you connect it to your Twitch, design your alerts on its website and get a link. In OBS that link goes in as a Browser source.

It's handy to put the alerts source in its own scene and nest that scene in all your other scenes as a «Scene» source. That way alerts show everywhere and you configure them in one place.

## How to design alerts

An alert should be noticeable but short: 3–6 seconds is enough for a viewer to see their name. Style alerts like your channel, with the same colors and fonts as your overlay. Distinguish events: a follow is modest, a sub or raid brighter, a big donation the most visible.

Place alerts where they don't cover key parts of the game, usually the top or center above the HUD.

## Alert sound

Alerts usually have sound. Enable «Control audio via OBS» in the source properties so alert volume is controlled in the mixer separately from game audio and your mic. The alert sound should be noticeable but not louder than your voice.

## Testing alerts

Before going live, send test alerts from your alerts service dashboard. Check the animation shows on every scene, the sound isn't louder than your voice and the text reads on any background. A short recording makes it easy to spot an alert covering the HUD.

## TTS in alerts

Many services can read a tip or cheer message with a speech synthesizer. It's a reason to tip: viewers know they'll be heard. Streamers usually set a minimum amount for TTS and a word filter so it doesn't turn into trolling.

## Alerts and raids

A raid is the most important alert: new people arrive, and the first impression decides whether they stay. Make the raid alert bright, name the channel that raided you and welcome the newcomers. Say what's happening on stream and invite them to type in chat.

## Between alerts: a living chat

Alerts only fire when someone follows or pays. On a small channel that's rare, so the screen is quiet for most of the stream. To keep chat alive all the time, add chat TTS: in Chat2Speech viewer messages play in character voices, and the widget goes into OBS the same way as alerts, as one link.

Alerts and chat TTS are separate sources in OBS and don't interfere. Each has its own volume.

## Which alerts a small channel needs

Don't overload the screen. A small channel only needs alerts for follows, subs, Bits and tips. Keep them short: a long animation for every follow gets old fast. What matters most is your reaction: thank the viewer out loud by name.

## Common mistakes

An alert is a reason to say thanks. Without your reaction it loses most of its point.

- alerts that run too long and get annoying;
- loud sounds that drown out the streamer;
- alerts on only one scene;
- the same look for every event;
- no reaction from the streamer.

## Alerts and earnings

Alerts encourage support but don't make money themselves. Money comes from subs, Bits, tips and Chat2Speech voice subscriptions: viewers buy one on your channel, you set the price, and half of every subscription goes to you. Subscribers speak in a premium voice even after your daily limit runs out.

## Questions

### How do I add alerts to my stream?

Connect an alert service to Twitch, design your alerts and add the link you get to OBS as a Browser source.

### Why can't I hear my alert sound?

Make sure «Control audio via OBS» is on in the source properties and the source isn't muted in the mixer.

### Can I use alerts and chat TTS together?

Yes. They're separate OBS sources: alerts show tips and subs, and Chat2Speech chat TTS reads viewer messages in character voices.

### Where do I get stream alerts?

From alerts services such as StreamElements or Streamlabs: they provide ready-made alerts you add to OBS as a Browser source.

## Read also

- [Twitch Bits: what they are and how much streamers get](https://chat2speech.com/en/guides/twitch-bits)
- [Stream goals: how to set them and what to promise viewers](https://chat2speech.com/en/guides/stream-goals)
- [How to start streaming on Twitch: a step-by-step beginner's guide](https://chat2speech.com/en/guides/start-streaming-twitch)
- [Discord for streamers: how to set up a server for your channel](https://chat2speech.com/en/guides/discord-for-streamers)
- [Twitch panels: what to put below your stream](https://chat2speech.com/en/guides/twitch-panels)
- [Twitch stream titles: how to write titles people click](https://chat2speech.com/en/guides/stream-titles)

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