# Chat alerts

> Post a message in your Kick chat when someone follows, subscribes, gifts subs or sends KICKs, then write each alert, set a minimum and test it with !subtest.

Source: https://kickbot.com/docs/alerts/chat-alerts

Chat alerts are Kick alerts that KickBot posts as a chat message. When someone subscribes, follows, gifts subs or sends KICKs, KickBot thanks them in your Kick chat with the text you wrote, for example `@KickBotDev has subbed for 3 months!`. You set them up on the [Chat alerts](https://kickbot.com/dashboard/chatalerts) page under **Chat bot**.

Chat alerts post in chat only. For an alert with an image and sound on your stream, add an alert widget to OBS. See [on-screen alerts](https://kickbot.com/docs/alerts/on-screen-alerts).

![The Chat alerts page with the four alerts Subscriptions, Follows, Gifted subs and KICKs, all on, each with its test command](https://kickbot.com/docs/images/alerts/chat-alerts/01-chat-alerts.webp "Each alert has its own message, test command and switch.")

## The four alerts

| Alert | Posts when | Variables | Example message |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Subscriptions** | Someone subscribes or resubscribes | `{{username}}`, `{{months}}` | `@{{username}} has subbed for {{months}}!` |
| **Follows** | Someone follows your channel | `{{username}}` | `Welcome to the stream @{{username}}!` |
| **Gifted subs** | Someone gifts subs in your chat | `{{username}}`, `{{sub_count}}` | `@{{username}} just gifted {{sub_count}}!` |
| **KICKs** | Someone sends KICKs | `{{username}}`, `{{amount}}` | `@{{username}} just gifted {{amount}} KICKs!` |

What the variables post:

- `{{username}}`: the viewer's Kick name, for example `KickBotDev`.
- `{{months}}`: the months with the word, for example `1 month` or `3 months`.
- `{{sub_count}}`: the number of gifted subs with the word, for example `1 sub` or `5 subs`.
- `{{amount}}`: the number of KICKs, with commas, for example `2,500`.

Because `{{months}}` and `{{sub_count}}` already include the word, write `has subbed for {{months}}`, not `has subbed for {{months}} months`.

## Set up an alert

You need KickBot as a [moderator in your channel](https://kickbot.com/docs/getting-started/add-kickbot-as-moderator) so it can post.

1. Open [kickbot.com/dashboard/chatalerts](https://kickbot.com/dashboard/chatalerts).
2. Use the switch on an alert to turn it on or off. The switch saves at once.
3. Click the alert to open it.
4. Write the message in **Message**. Use **Insert a variable** to add the viewer's name or the amount.
5. For **Gifted subs** and **KICKs**, set a **Minimum** if you want.
6. Click **Save**, or press Enter in the message box.

The **In Kick chat** box at the top shows the message with sample values. Only you see this preview.

![The Gifted subs alert panel with the message, the variables, Minimum set to 0, the Post in chat switch and the test command](https://kickbot.com/docs/images/alerts/chat-alerts/02-edit-alert.webp "The Gifted subs alert. The Minimum sets the smallest gift that posts.")

## Settings

| Setting | What it does | Limits and default |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Message** | The text KickBot posts. | 15 to 300 characters. |
| **Minimum** | Gifted subs and KICKs only. The smallest gift that posts the alert. | Default 0, which posts for every gift. |
| **Post in chat** | Turns the alert on or off. | Same as the switch on the row. |

### Minimum for gifts and KICKs

Use a minimum to thank bigger gifts only. For example, a minimum of 5 on **Gifted subs** posts for gifts of 5 or more subs and stays quiet for smaller ones. A minimum of 100 on **KICKs** posts for 100 KICKs or more.

### Follow alerts and follow spam

If a viewer unfollows and follows again to spam alerts, KickBot does not post the follow alert again. A big wave of follows does not flood your chat either.

## Test the alerts

Type a test command in your own Kick chat. KickBot posts the saved message of that alert with sample values: your name in lowercase, `3 months`, `5 subs` and `2,500` KICKs.

| Command | Tests |
| --- | --- |
| `!subtest` | Subscriptions |
| `!followtest` | Follows |
| `!gifttest` | Gifted subs |
| `!kickstest` | KICKs |

Only you and your moderators can use the test commands. If the alert is off, KickBot posts a note instead, for example `Sub chat alert not enabled`.

## Troubleshooting

If an alert does not post:

- **KickBot is not a moderator.** See [add KickBot as a moderator](https://kickbot.com/docs/getting-started/add-kickbot-as-moderator).
- **The alert is off.** Check the switch on its row.
- **The gift is below the minimum.** Set **Minimum** to 0 and test again.
- **The message did not save.** It must be 15 to 300 characters. Open the alert and check it.
- **The test works but real alerts do not.** Check that your Kick channel is still connected in [account settings](https://kickbot.com/docs/account/settings).

## FAQ

**How do I set up Kick alerts in chat?**

Open [kickbot.com/dashboard/chatalerts](https://kickbot.com/dashboard/chatalerts), turn on the alerts you want, write each message and save. Type `!subtest` or `!followtest` in your chat to test.

**Can KickBot thank viewers for subs and follows in chat?**

Yes. Turn on **Subscriptions** and **Follows**. KickBot posts your message with the viewer's name each time someone subscribes or follows.

**Can I show alerts on stream instead of in chat?**

Yes. Use an alert widget from the Widget library and add it to OBS. See [on-screen alerts](https://kickbot.com/docs/alerts/on-screen-alerts). You can use chat alerts and on-screen alerts at the same time.

**Can I post an alert only for big gifts?**

Yes. Open **Gifted subs** or **KICKs** and set a **Minimum**. For example, a minimum of 10 posts only for gifts of 10 or more subs.