twitch is an online platform where people can watch people play video games. It has a large audience, but mostly made up of teenagers. It has attracted mainstream advertisers to reach ad-resistant teens in a live, engaged forum.

Users can purchase virtual goods called ‘Bits’ to support streamers they follow by ‘Cheering’ them in Chat. Streamers can also earn money through Channel Subscriptions.
Streaming

Twitch streams a variety of video games and allows viewers to interact with streamers through real-time chatting. This interaction is a large part of the appeal to some users. Viewers can also purchase games through links on streams. This is how many streamers make money on their broadcasts.

Streamers can also “raid” another channel, in which multiple users from a different Twitch channel or social media site join a stream to show support. This can boost the popularity of a channel and help it get noticed by potential sponsors.

In 2020, Twitch received a wave of DMCA takedown notices aimed at year-old VODs and clips. This caused a backlash among users concerned that copyright strikes were being issued for viewer-created content. Twitch has reasonable security measures in place to protect User Content against unauthorized copying and distribution, but cannot guarantee that such infringement will not occur.
Ads

Twitch offers a variety of advertising opportunities to reach its diverse audience. These ads are highly engaging and can lead to conversions, retention, and business growth. The key is to focus on your target audience and create an ad that will grab their attention.

Desktop video advertisements are integrated directly into live stream broadcasts accessed via desktop computers. These ads can be pre-roll or play during ad breaks. They can be 30 seconds (unskippable) or 60 seconds and support the same third-party tracking events as cross screen video ads.

Super leaderboard ads are banner image ads that show up at the top of the screen to keep users engaged as they scroll for content. These can be videos or animated GIFs that last for 15 seconds.
Community

Twitch offers a wide variety of community features. These include chat and forum postings, wiki contributions, and voice interactions. Streamers may also utilize extensions (or plugins) that allow viewers to interact with the content in new ways. These features are designed to create a social environment for users and increase viewer engagement.

Twitch prohibits the use of its Services to distribute any form of child sexual abuse material or content that endangers youth, and reports any such violations to law enforcement authorities. It also takes steps to prevent unauthorized uses of its Service, including through technological barriers and IP mapping.

While gaming remains the platform’s strongest suit, non-gaming streams are becoming increasingly popular. These can range from paleontologists conducting a live Q&A to travelers sharing their favorite street foods, or a woodworker streaming the soothing sound of her sanding.
Sponsorships

Getting sponsors for your Twitch stream can be a great way to make money. The best approach is to focus on finding companies that market products that match your audience’s interests. This will help you build a strong community and attract brand sponsors.

It’s also important to show brands that you treat your streaming and content creation as a professional business. This will help you develop a long-term relationship with them. Additionally, you can use tools like Powerspike and Upfluence to find brands that align with your interests.

If a brand rejects your request, don’t take it personally. Many factors may be affecting their ability to sponsor your stream. Just keep pitching and eventually you will find a sponsor that’s right for you! This is the type of sponsorship that typically has specific deliverables and a set payout.
Content

Twitch provides a variety of ways to create, watch and participate in content on the service. Users can purchase a subscription to support their favourite streamers, and access features like emotes and ad-free streaming. They can also purchase a highlight, which is a shortened video of a live stream.

Twitch may choose to remove, screen or edit User Content for any reason, including but not limited to violating these Terms of Service. If you post any content that violates the Terms of Service, we may contact law enforcement or other government agencies to report the violation.

If you publish Branded Content, you must comply with our Advertising Guidelines and disclose that you have received payment or other benefits in exchange for discussing, using, promoting or endorsing a product or service on the Twitch Services. Failure to do so may result in termination or suspension of your account.