Throne is a free, privacy-first wishlist platform designed for content creators across the United Kingdom and internationally. It enables creators to receive physical gifts and financial support from their audience without publicly sharing personal information such as a home address. The platform is positioned as a secure intermediary, handling logistics and notifications to protect the privacy of both the creator and the fan. Throne supports creators on various platforms, including TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitch, and integrates with services like Discord and Chrome for automated alerts. It is marketed as an easy-to-use tool, with the claim that a creator can set up a wishlist in as little as five minutes. The service is available in over 50 countries, including the United Kingdom, and boasts a user base of more than one million creators.
The core function of Throne is to allow creators to curate a public wishlist with items from any online store. Fans can then visit the creator's Throne link, select an item, and purchase it. Throne manages the entire process, from order placement to shipping the gift directly to the creator's address. This process ensures that the fan never sees the creator's private address, and the creator does not see the fan's payment details. Upon receiving a gift, creators have several options to thank their supporters, including sending a personal thank-you note or video message, or giving a public shout-out on social media or during a live stream. The platform is described as free for creators to use, with Throne generating revenue by charging merchants to list products on its platform.
For fans, the cost structure is more complex and depends on the type of gift and the store from which it is purchased. Throne maintains a list of Partner Stores, which are merchants listed in the Throne Gift Store. Gifts from these Partner Stores incur 0% service fees for the fan. Partner Stores are available in the United Kingdom, as well as the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Mexico. Most gifting activity is expected to occur through these Partner Stores.
If a fan chooses to gift an item from a Non-Partner Store, there are two options available. The first option is for Throne to ship the item to the creator; this incurs a flat 7% fee for the fan, in addition to the gift's price. The second option is for Throne to transfer the value of the gift to the creator as a monetary credit; this incurs a flat 8.9% fee for the fan. Payment processing fees are also applicable. For gifts, the standard Stripe fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 is charged. For monetary credits, the fee is 3.9% plus $0.30. An additional 1% is added to non-U.S. dollar transactions. For direct cash gifts, fans are charged 8.9% of the value by Throne. It is important to note that all these fees apply to the fan, not the creator.
Throne also offers features for brands and has an affiliate programme. Brands can link their e-commerce site to Throne, adding products to the gift store for fans to select. This provides brands with potential marketing exposure if a creator showcases the gifted item. For creators, Throne is developing a commission-based model called the Throne Storefront, a hybrid of Shopify and an affiliate programme. Creators can curate a storefront featuring items they recommend and earn up to 45% commission on purchases made through their links. There is no cost to open a Storefront, and this programme is currently in beta. Additionally, Throne has a partner programme for creators, which offers a range of benefits. Creators become eligible to apply for this programme after receiving three gifts from their fans.
The platform emphasises its ease of use and security. Testimonials from users highlight the platform's safety, fast delivery, and ease of use. One user noted that a viewer-purchased item was dispatched within 30 minutes and arrived within a week. Another praised the ability to share favourite products in one place. The platform is designed to be a straightforward tool for creators to share their wishlists with their community, allowing fans to support them with gifts in a secure manner.