Using free stream overlays with OBS: step by step
Add donation alerts, goals, recent donations, chat and media overlays to OBS using secure browser-source URLs from DonoLink.
DonoLink overlays run as transparent web pages inside OBS. They stay hidden until an alert or update arrives, so they can sit above your game or camera source without covering the stream.
The concept: a browser source
A browser source is an OBS layer that loads a URL. Your personal URL identifies the correct overlay and receives live events. Treat it as private: viewers need your donation link, not your overlay URL.
Step 1: find your overlay URLs
Open the Overlays section in the DonoLink dashboard. You can install all sources with the OBS wizard, drag an individual source into OBS, or copy its URL and add it manually.
Step 2: add a browser source in OBS
In Sources, choose Browser, create a new source and paste the URL. Use the recommended width and height shown in the dashboard. Keep the source above game capture, then move its bounding box to the desired position on the canvas.
Step 3: test the alert
Press the dashboard test button while OBS is open. A successful test verifies the URL, live connection, animation and audio. Also test a long donor name and message so text cannot escape the design.
Step 4: customise alerts
Create variants for donations and stream events, then adjust layout, colour, duration, sound and amount thresholds. Preview changes before saving and keep important content readable over a busy game scene.
Step 5: add a donation goal
Set a clear title, target and start date. Only eligible paid donations count toward progress. Place the goal where it remains visible without competing with alerts or gameplay information.
Step 6: recent donations and leaderboard
Recent-donation and leaderboard sources provide persistent social proof. Avoid showing more personal information than necessary and leave anonymous donations anonymous.
Step 7: chat and media
The chat overlay can show Twitch messages; the media overlay handles approved YouTube requests. Moderate media before playback and balance its volume independently from your microphone and game audio.
Troubleshooting a blank overlay
Confirm that the full URL is present, refresh the browser source and send a new test. Check that OBS can access the internet and that the layer is visible and above opaque sources. If necessary, remove and re-add only that browser source with a fresh URL from the dashboard.