What Is Twitch?

Twitch is Amazon's video game streaming service

Twitch is a popular online service used to watch and stream digital video broadcasts. It originally focused almost entirely on video games but has since expanded to include streams dedicated to artwork creation, music, talk shows, and just chatting.

How Do I Stream on Twitch?

You'll need a few things to stream on Twitch. Your needs may vary depending on your setup and how you play games. Some of the gear you'll want or need includes:

  • A computer to set up and manage your stream.
  • A capture device for a console, assuming you don't use the Twitch app for PlayStation or Xbox.
  • Streaming software.
  • A microphone to record your commentary.
  • A webcam to show yourself or what you're working on.
  • Headphones to avoid echoes or feedback from your game or voice audio.

Generally, however, you'll set up a streaming "scene" in a program like OBS or Streamlabs. Here, you'll add all your inputs (game video, mic audio, webcam feed, etc.), and link it to your Twitch account using a stream key.

Your stream key is unique to you, and you should never let anyone else see it.

Alternatively, using the Twitch app for Xbox or PlayStation, you can stream without this software or the stream key. You'll just sign in to your Twitch account in the console app, and then start your stream through the sharing menu.

Who Owns Twitch?

Twitch was purchased by Amazon in 2014 and it remains one of the highest sources of internet traffic in North America. According to Statista, there were around 41.5 million Twitch users in the United States in 2020 and this figure is estimated to rise to 51.6 million by 2024.

How Can I Find Twitch Streamers to Watch?

Twitch recommends streams on the front page of its website and its apps. Another popular way to discover new Twitch channels to watch is by browsing the Games category. This option is available on all of the apps and the Twitch website and is an easy way to find a live stream relating to a specific video game title or series. Other categories to explore are ​Communities, Popular, Creative, and Discover. These can be found in the Browse section of the main site, though not all of them are present in the official Twitch apps.

Many of the more popular Twitch streamers are quite active on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, which makes both of these social networks a solid alternative for discovering new streamers to follow. Using social media is particularly useful for finding new streamers based on their personality and other interests, something that can be hard to discern when searching on Twitch directly. Recommended keywords to use when searching social media include "twitch stream," "twitch streamer," and "streamer."

What Are Twitch Partners and Affiliates?

Partners and Affiliates are special types of Twitch accounts that essentially allow for the monetization of broadcasts. Thousands of users earn money on Twitch through the Twitch Affiliate and Partner programs. Anyone can become a Twitch Affiliate or Partner, but you must meet certain requirements before you can apply.

To become an Affiliate, you must do all of the following in the same 30-day period:

  • Have 50 followers.
  • Have an average of three viewers.
  • Stream for eight hours across seven different days.
  • Stream 500 total minutes.

The requirements for Partnership are higher. In a single, 30-day span, you have to:

  • Stream for 25 hours.
  • Be online on 12 different days.
  • Have an average of 75 viewers.

Once you meet or exceed these benchmarks, you'll receive an email from Twitch to apply for the program.

Twitch Affiliates are given access to Bits (a form of mini-donations from viewers) and 5% of game sale revenue made through their profile. Twitch Partners also get these perks in addition to video ads, paid subscriptions options, custom badges, and emoticons, and other premium perks for their channel.

How Much Do Twitch Streamers Make?

It's possible – but difficult – to make a living from Twitch, and you have several options for income.

The easiest is via ads, which pay out based on how often you run them and how many people are watching. Streamers who run at least three minutes of ads or more per hour according to Twitch's suggested schedule make 55% of the revenue, while Twitch keeps more of the split from streamers who air commercials less regularly.

Viewers can also donate directly to streamers they like using Bits (one Bit is $0.01) and buying subscriptions. Twitch also takes a cut of this revenue.

It's hard to say exactly how much a Twitch streamer makes without asking them directly, but their success relies mostly on the number of viewers and engagement.

If you have a Twitch account and it's not what you expected, you can always delete the account to get rid of it.

What Is the Twitch App?

Twitch has apps on several platforms to help streamers go live and let viewers check out their favorite channels. Supported hardware includes:

  • Android
  • AppleTV
  • Chromecast
  • Fire TV
  • iPhone/iPad
  • NVIDIA Shield
  • PlayStation
  • Xbox

You can do most of the things in the app that you can on the website. For example, you can watch streams, follow and subscribe to channels, chat, and more. Some versions, like the ones for iOS and Android, let streamers go live directly, using their device's camera. The PlayStation and Xbox apps will also broadcast your gameplay without the need for a capture card or a computer.

FAQ
  • How old to you have to be to use Twitch?

    You need to be at least 13 years old to use Twitch. Twitch has more specifics on its Guide for Parents & Educators page.

  • Do you have to pay to watch Twitch?

    No, Twitch is free to use, although it is ad-sponsored. That means there will be commercials during the stream. The stream doesn't pause, so you will miss a little bit of the stream while the commercial plays. You can subscribe to the channel, which stops ads from playing (unless the streamer forces the ad, but that's rarely used). Subscribing to a channel does cost money, but it's optional.

  • Do you have to pay to stream on Twitch?

    No. There is no charge to stream on Twitch. You might have to buy some equipment to make your stream look and sound better, but Twitch itself is completely free to use.

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