How to Show Ko-fi Donations on Instagram Live (2026)
Accept Ko-fi donations on Instagram Live with 0% platform fees. Learn how to set up visual alerts through OBS, connect Ko-fi via webhook, and keep every dollar your viewers send — no follower requirement needed.
Quick Answer
To show Ko-fi donations on Instagram Live, stream through OBS using a restreaming service like Yellow Duck or Restream, then add Stream Alert (connected to Ko-fi via webhook) as a browser source for automatic donation alerts. Ko-fi charges 0% platform fees and supports international creators, making it ideal for Instagram Live — especially compared to Instagram Badges, which take approximately 30% of every purchase. Stream Alert receives Ko-fi webhook events and fires visual & audio alerts in real time, the same way donation alerts work on Twitch and YouTube.
TL;DR
- Instagram Badges take ~30% of revenue vs Ko-fi's 0% platform fee
- Visual on-screen alerts require OBS + a restreaming service (Yellow Duck or Restream)
- Ko-fi connects to Stream Alert via webhook — alerts fire within seconds of each donation
- Add your Ko-fi page link to a Linktree in your Instagram bio for maximum visibility
- Ko-fi works internationally — unlike Badges, which are limited to select countries
- Ko-fi Memberships let you set up recurring monthly support with custom tiers, and each payment triggers an alert
Why Ko-fi Beats Instagram Badges for Donations
Instagram Badges are the platform's built-in monetization tool for Live streams. They come in three fixed tiers — $0.99, $1.99, and $4.99 — and Instagram takes a cut of approximately 30% from every purchase. That means if a viewer buys the top-tier $4.99 Badge, you receive roughly $3.50. Over dozens or hundreds of supporters, that 30% cut adds up fast.
Ko-fi takes a completely different approach. On Ko-fi's free tier, the platform charges zero fees on donations. If a viewer sends you $5 through Ko-fi, you keep $5 (minus only the standard PayPal or Stripe processing fee, which is the same fee you'd pay on any platform). Ko-fi Gold, the optional paid tier at $6/month, unlocks extra features like custom commissions and advanced shop tools — but even the free plan includes donations, memberships, and webhook support.
International Support
One of Ko-fi's biggest advantages over Instagram Badges is global availability. Instagram Badges are currently limited to creators in the United States and a handful of other countries. Ko-fi works worldwide — creators in Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and everywhere else can accept donations through PayPal or Stripe. If you have an international audience, Ko-fi removes the geographic barrier entirely.
No Eligibility Requirements
Instagram Badges require a Creator or Professional account, residency in an eligible country, and a minimum of 10,000 followers. If you don't meet these requirements, you simply cannot accept Badges. Ko-fi has no such gatekeeping. Anyone can create a Ko-fi page and start receiving donations immediately, whether you have 50 followers or 500,000.
Flexible Donation Amounts
Badges max out at $4.99 per purchase. A viewer who wants to tip you $20 would need to buy four separate Badges — a clunky experience that costs them $19.96 while you receive only about $14 after Instagram's cut. With Ko-fi, the viewer can donate any amount they choose in a single transaction: $3, $10, $50, or more. There is no artificial ceiling.
Recurring Support with Memberships
Ko-fi Memberships allow you to offer monthly subscription tiers with custom perks — Discord access, exclusive content, priority interactions, and more. Each monthly payment triggers a webhook event, which means Stream Alert can fire an on-screen alert every time a member's subscription renews. Instagram has no equivalent recurring support feature built into Badges.
Setting Up Ko-fi Alerts on Instagram Live
The biggest technical hurdle with Instagram Live is that it's a mobile-first platform. Unlike Twitch or YouTube, there's no native way to add OBS browser sources or overlays directly to an Instagram Live stream from the app. To get full visual donation alerts on Instagram Live, you need to stream through OBS using a restreaming service.
Important
Visual on-screen Ko-fi alerts on Instagram Live require a desktop setup with OBS. If you're mobile-only, skip ahead to the Mobile Instagram Live & Ko-fi section below for alternative strategies.
Step 1: Create Your Stream Alert Account
- Go to streamalert.gg/register
- Enter your name, email, and create a password
- Click “Start Free Trial” — no credit card required
Time: 1 minute
Step 2: Connect Ko-fi via Webhook
Stream Alert connects to Ko-fi through Ko-fi's webhook system. When a viewer donates on your Ko-fi page, Ko-fi sends an instant notification to Stream Alert, which triggers your on-screen alert within seconds.
- In your Stream Alert dashboard, go to Apps
- Find Ko-fi and click Connect
- Copy your unique Webhook URL
- Open Ko-fi Webhook Settings (log in if needed)
- Paste your Stream Alert webhook URL into the webhook field
- Click Update
Why Webhooks Are Better Than Email
Unlike email-based detection (which can have 30–60 second delays), Ko-fi webhooks deliver donation data instantly. Stream Alert receives the event directly from Ko-fi's servers, making webhook-based alerts the fastest possible method.
Time: 2 minutes
Step 3: Set Up a Restreaming Service
Instagram Live does not natively support RTMP streaming from OBS. You need a restreaming tool to bridge the gap.
- Yellow Duck (Free) — Generates an RTMP stream key for Instagram Live. Best for creators who only stream on Instagram.
- Restream (Paid) — Supports simultaneous streaming to Instagram, Twitch, YouTube, and more. Best for multiplatform creators.
- Download and install Yellow Duck (or sign up for Restream)
- Log in with your Instagram credentials
- Generate your Instagram RTMP URL and stream key
- Copy both values — you'll paste them into OBS in the next step
Time: 5 minutes
Step 4: Configure OBS
- Open OBS Studio
- Go to Settings → Stream
- Set Service to “Custom”
- Paste your Instagram RTMP URL and stream key from Yellow Duck or Restream
- Go to Sources → Add → Browser
- Paste your Stream Alert overlay URL (found in your Stream Alert dashboard)
- Set the browser source dimensions to match your canvas (e.g., 1920x1080)
Time: 3 minutes
Step 5: Test & Go Live
- In your Ko-fi webhook settings, click Send Test
- Wait a few seconds for the test alert to appear in OBS
- You should see a test donation from “Jo Example”
- Confirm the visual animation and sound are working
- Start streaming from OBS — your Instagram Live will now show full Ko-fi donation alerts
Time: 2 minutes
Setup Complete
Total time: 10–15 minutes
Every Ko-fi donation — one-time tips, memberships, and shop orders — will now trigger a visual and audio alert on your Instagram Live stream, just like it would on Twitch or YouTube. The donor's name, amount, and message are all displayed on screen in real time.
Ko-fi vs Instagram Badges Comparison
| Feature | Ko-fi + Stream Alert | Instagram Badges |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | 0% | ~30% |
| Creator Keeps | 95–100% (after payment processor) | ~70% |
| Max Donation Amount | No limit (viewer chooses any amount) | $4.99 per Badge |
| Follower Requirement | None | 10,000+ followers |
| Country Availability | Worldwide (via PayPal/Stripe) | US and select countries |
| Recurring Support | Yes (Ko-fi Memberships) | No |
| Payout Speed | Instant to PayPal/Stripe | Monthly payout cycle |
| Visual Alerts | Yes (via Stream Alert + OBS) | Badge icon in chat only |
| Donation Messages | Yes (displayed on stream) | No custom messages |
| Viewer Experience | Visit Ko-fi page, donate | One tap inside Instagram app |
Bottom Line
Instagram Badges are convenient for viewers because they never leave the app, but you lose 30% of every dollar and cannot receive messages with the donation. Ko-fi requires the viewer to visit an external page but gives you 0% platform fees, custom donation messages displayed on stream, international support, and recurring memberships. The best strategy is to keep Badges enabled as a casual option while actively promoting Ko-fi as your primary donation method.
Mobile Instagram Live & Ko-fi
Not every creator has a desktop streaming setup with OBS, and that's perfectly fine. If you go Live exclusively from your phone, you cannot display visual on-screen alerts — that requires OBS with a browser source. However, you can still accept Ko-fi donations and build a loyal supporter base with the right strategy.
What You Can Do on Mobile
- Add your Ko-fi page to a Linktree in your bio — Instagram only allows one clickable link in your bio, so use Linktree (or a similar link-in-bio tool) and include your Ko-fi page URL prominently. Label it clearly: “Support Me on Ko-fi” or “Buy Me a Coffee on Ko-fi”.
- Track donations in your Stream Alert dashboard — Even without OBS, Stream Alert still receives Ko-fi webhook events. Open the dashboard on a second device (tablet or laptop) while streaming to see donations as they arrive.
- Give verbal shoutouts — When you see a Ko-fi donation land in your dashboard, thank the viewer by name on camera. Read their message aloud. Verbal acknowledgment is just as powerful as a visual alert on mobile-first platforms like Instagram.
- Set up Ko-fi Memberships — Even on mobile, you can promote recurring support through Ko-fi Memberships. Offer monthly perks like exclusive content, Discord access, or priority interactions. This creates a stable income stream that doesn't depend on individual Live sessions.
Pro Tip
Create a dedicated Instagram Story Highlight called “Support Me” or “Ko-fi” with a permanent link to your Ko-fi page. New followers and viewers can find your donation link anytime, not just when you're live. This is especially effective for Ko-fi Memberships, since viewers can subscribe at any time.
Promoting Ko-fi on Instagram
Having Ko-fi set up is only half the battle. You need to actively promote it so viewers know how to support you. Here are the most effective strategies for Instagram creators:
1. Linktree in Your Bio
Your Instagram bio is the only clickable link on your profile. Use Linktree (or Beacons, Stan Store, or a similar link-in-bio tool) with a clearly labeled button: “Support Me on Ko-fi”. If you also accept CashApp, Venmo, or other payment methods, list them all in the same Linktree — but make Ko-fi prominent since it supports memberships and custom messages.
2. Instagram Stories with Link Stickers
Post Stories before every Live stream announcing that you're going live. Use the “Link” sticker pointing directly to your Ko-fi page. Viewers can tap the sticker and land on your donation page instantly. Save these Stories to a “Ko-fi” or “Support” Highlight for permanent visibility on your profile.
3. Pinned Comment During Lives
As soon as you go Live, post a comment with your Ko-fi link (e.g., “Support the stream: ko-fi.com/yourname”) and pin it. This ensures every viewer who joins — whether at the start or 30 minutes in — sees your donation link without you having to repeat it constantly. Instagram comments don't render clickable links, but viewers can easily search or type the URL.
4. Natural Verbal Mentions
Avoid being overly aggressive with donation requests. Instead, weave them in naturally: “Shoutout to Alex for the $10 Ko-fi donation — they said 'love the content, keep it up!' If anyone else wants to support, my Ko-fi link is in my bio!” Thanking a real donor and reading their message is the most effective prompt because it shows social proof and demonstrates what the viewer experience looks like.
5. Promote Ko-fi Memberships
One-time donations are great, but recurring memberships are better for long-term stability. Create 2–3 membership tiers on Ko-fi with tangible perks — exclusive Discord channels, behind-the-scenes content, early access to videos, or monthly shoutouts. Mention memberships on stream: “If you want to support every month and get access to our Discord, check out my Ko-fi memberships — link in bio.”
6. Post-Stream Thank You Posts
After your Live ends, post a Reel or carousel thanking your supporters (without sharing specific dollar amounts unless they consent). Mention Ko-fi in the caption and include your Ko-fi link. This builds community, incentivizes future donations, and keeps your Ko-fi page visible to followers who missed the Live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I show Ko-fi donation alerts on Instagram Live without OBS?
Not with visual on-screen alerts. Visual donation overlays require OBS with a browser source, which means streaming from a desktop through a restreaming tool like Yellow Duck or Restream. If you're mobile-only, you can still accept Ko-fi donations by linking your Ko-fi page in your bio and tracking incoming tips through the Stream Alert dashboard — then giving verbal shoutouts when donations come in.
Does Ko-fi work internationally for Instagram Live creators?
Yes, and this is one of Ko-fi's biggest advantages. Ko-fi accepts payments through PayPal and Stripe, which are available in most countries worldwide. Instagram Badges, on the other hand, are currently limited to creators in the US and a handful of other countries. If you're an Instagram creator outside the US, Ko-fi is likely your best option for accepting donations during Live streams.
Do Ko-fi Memberships trigger alerts on Instagram Live?
Yes. Each Ko-fi Membership payment — both the initial subscription and every monthly renewal — sends a webhook event to Stream Alert. If you're streaming through OBS with a restreaming service, each membership payment will trigger a visual and audio alert on your Instagram Live stream, just like a one-time donation. You can read more about Ko-fi webhook integrations in our Ko-fi alerts guide.
Can I use Ko-fi and Instagram Badges at the same time?
Absolutely, and you should. Keep Instagram Badges enabled for viewers who prefer the one-tap convenience of staying inside the app. Simultaneously promote Ko-fi for viewers who want to send custom-amount donations with messages, support you from outside the US, or subscribe to a monthly membership. There is no conflict between the two methods — they complement each other and maximize your total revenue.
How quickly do Ko-fi donation alerts appear on my Instagram Live stream?
When using Stream Alert with OBS, Ko-fi donation alerts typically appear within 2–5 seconds of the payment being processed. Ko-fi sends a webhook event directly to Stream Alert's servers, which forwards the alert to your OBS browser source almost instantly. This is significantly faster than email-based detection methods, which can have delays of 30–60 seconds.
Start Accepting Ko-fi Donations on Instagram Live
Stream Alert makes it easy to show Ko-fi donation alerts on your Instagram Live stream — or track every tip in your dashboard if you're on mobile. Zero platform fees, instant webhook-based alerts, and setup takes under 15 minutes.
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