Twitch is a popular platform for live-streaming, and it has two main programs available to creators: the affiliate program and the Partner program. Both allow streamers to earn money through their content. Still, the Partner program is more exclusive and offers benefits beyond the Twitch affiliate program. This article covers the requirements for becoming a Twitch Partner, how much you can earn once in partnership, and more!
Twitch Partner Requirements
To become a Twitch Partner, streamers must meet several strict criteria over 30 days:
- Streaming Hours: Stream at least 25 hours.
- Unique Broadcast Days: Stream across 12 different days.
- Viewer Count: Average 75 concurrent viewers across all streams.
These partnership requirements hold streamers to a higher standard so that only passionate and established streamers get into the partnership. Once these first conditions are met, applicants must also stream 8 individual broadcasts with an average of 75 viewers over 2 consecutive months before applying for partnership status.
Additional Considerations
- Community Guidelines: All streamers are required to abide by the Community Guidelines, the Terms of Service, and the DMCA Guideline.
- Viewer engagement metrics: Technically, they are not in the requirements, but engagement (chat) can affect your ability to be in the program. Twitch loves a streamer that has lively interactions with its audience.
The Path to Partnership
Even if you meet all the requirements, Twitch Partner status is not guaranteed. It can take multiple applications before you are accepted. The application review process typically takes two weeks, but it may be longer during busy times.
Twitch suggests that those denied should ask for feedback to understand what is holding them back and work on meeting the requirements better before they reapply.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Twitch Partner
Pros of Being a Twitch Partner
There are many benefits of becoming a Twitch Partner:
- Revenue Sharing: As a Partner, you get a bigger cut of the subscription revenue than an Affiliate. Through the new Partner Plus program, streamers can receive up to 70% of subscription fees, applicable up to the first US$100,000 they earn each year.
- Advanced Ad Control: They have more control over the ads appearing on their pages, which maximizes their monetization potential.
- Greater Customization: Partners have more extensive video channel customization options than the affiliates.
- Unlock Additional Features: Partners can unlock various features like custom emotes, badges for subscribers, etc.
Cons of Becoming a Twitch Partner
The Twitch Partner program is not without its drawbacks:
- Higher Expectations: More pressure to deliver consistent, quality work.
- Notable increased competition: Difficulty in standing out from thousands of other streamers.
- Ad requirements: Forced to run ads, which may break up viewership.
- Limited Support: Twitch usually has little individualized assistance after the partnership.
How Much Does Twitch Pay?
Twitch’s payment structure varies based on several factors:
- Subscriptions: Partners earn revenue from Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 subscriptions. Each tier offers different subscription fees and revenue shares:
- Tier 1 (typically $4.99/month): 1 point
- Tier 2 ($9.99/month): 2 points
- Tier 3 ($24.99/month): 6 points
Earnings can increase with the Partner Plus program by accumulating points on subscriptions.
- Bits: Viewers can financially support streamers using Bits (virtual currency from Twitch) in chat. Partners get a portion of the revenue from Bits used in their channels.
- Ads: Partners can earn money from ads shown during their streams.
- Sponsorships and Donations: Many partners also get into sponsorship deals or simply have their audience donate money directly to them through PayPal or cryptocurrency wallets.
Partner earnings can vary significantly as they are dependent on viewers watching their streams, how often they stream, and their overall popularity.
Top 7 Twitch Partner Alternatives
- YouTube Gaming
As part of YouTube, this platform allows streamers to reach a vast audience and offers monetization through ads, memberships, and Super Chats.
- Pros: Large user base, robust monetization options.
- Cons: High competition among streamers.
- Trovo
Trovo is a growing platform with a focus on community engagement and interactive features. It requires only five hours of streaming and 20 followers to start monetizing.
- Pros: Lower monetization barriers compared to Twitch, supportive community.
- Cons: Smaller audience and limited language diversity (mostly non-English speakers).
- Kick
A newer platform that offers a 95% revenue split from subscriptions, significantly higher than Twitch’s 50%.
- Pros: High revenue potential for creators, less competition.
- Cons: Smaller audience currently and challenges for console streaming.
- Facebook Gaming
Integrates with Facebook’s massive user base, allowing streamers to tap into social networking features.
- Pros: Easy sharing and discovery through social media.
- Cons: Less focused on gaming compared to Twitch and YouTube.
- DLive
A blockchain-based streaming platform that rewards both viewers and creators with cryptocurrency.
- Pros: Unique monetization model with no platform fees.
- Cons: Limited audience size compared to larger platforms.
- Smashcast
Allows users to share various types of content beyond gaming, such as art streams or talk shows.
- Pros: Diverse content options and community building tools.
- Cons: Less visibility compared to Twitch.
- StreamCraft
Offers tools for engagement and community building, similar to Twitch but with a focus on mobile gaming.
- Pros: User-friendly design and growing community support.
- Cons: Less mainstream recognition.
Conclusion
Every gamer dreams of being a Twitch Partner, but to get there, they must strategically build their viewership and community. As a partner, you get benefits like more revenue sharing and improved channel features. With the right knowledge and appropriate utilization of community support, potential partners will be able to boost their opportunities to grab this highly desired title on Twitch.
Don’t forget to check our gaming affiliate programs section for the latest opportunities in this niche. You may also connect with us on social media for super affiliate tips:
Sources:
- https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/joining-the-affiliate-program?language=en_US
- https://www.twitch.tv/p/partners/
- https://link.twitch.tv/PartnerProgramOverview
