How to Stream on Twitch: The Complete Guide (2024)

Whether your interest lies in streaming your gameplay, watching others play, or crafting something original, Twitch is the Complete destination. Our comprehensive guide covers all the essentials to kickstart your journey.

If you want to watch other people play games on Twitch or want to start your own channel to share your own, you should familiarize yourself with the many terms, skill levels, and strategies that make up the Twitch community. What particular gear and software are required for streaming, first off? Furthermore, how can you support and interact with your favorite streamers? All of these questions have thorough answers in our guide.

What Is Twitch?

In 2011, Twitch made its debut as a gaming-oriented spinoff of the now-defunct Justin.tv. The parent company, Twitch Interactive, was acquired by Amazon in 2014. Later on, Twitch became the main channel to watch esports, live gaming broadcasts (not to be confused with game streaming services), and celebrity endorsements.

The tagging system has supplanted Twitch Communities as the preferred method. Three key tags comprise this system: IRL, which refers to material with actual people; Creative, which includes streams in categories like Music & Production, Travel & Outdoors, Makers & Crafters, and Food & Drink; and game genres like FPS, MOBA, Driving/Racing Game, and Strategy. All content that is tagged as Creative is also included in the IRL category, which is something to keep in mind.

One of the most popular streaming categories as of the time of publication is “Just Chatting,” which acts as a flexible category for content that doesn’t cleanly fit into other niche categories. Notably, prominent games like Apex Legends, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, League of Legends, Valorant, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive dominate most top streaming content. There’s also the free-to-play Twitch Sings, which provides an endless supply of vocal performances.

Twitch isn’t a complete sports streaming service, but it does broadcast regular sporting events in addition to esports material. As an Amazon-owned platform, Twitch also has the streaming rights to Thursday Night Football games in addition to WNHL and WNSL games. Notably, YouTube now has the streaming rights to Overwatch League, after Twitch lost out. Nevertheless, a lot of well-known streamers have come back to Twitch as rival services like Microsoft’s Mixer and the now-defunct Facebook Gaming have faded away. Ninja, for example, is back on the platform, albeit not entirely.

It’s reasonable to be concerned that you might view offensive material or experience harassment from negative Twitch users. Those who broadcast on Twitch, in particular, should be mindful that everything they say and do there could be eternally visible online. Participating in virtual communities has inherent hazards to one’s privacy and safety, particularly in those that prioritize personalization. In response to these worries, Twitch revised its Community Guidelines and formed a Twitch Safety Advisory Council.

Twitch Accounts and Subscriptions

It’s not necessary to create an account to watch most Twitch feeds, but it is required if you want to interact with channels or stream yourself. Most streams allow you to start streaming, follow channels, and engage in conversation if you have a free account. Notably, there are differences between following and subscribing to a channel. You can stay up to date with your favorite streamers by subscribing, which is free. On the other side, channel badges for chat use, customized chat emotes, ad-free viewing, and expanded chat rights (some channels host subscriber-only talks) are all included with a $4.99 monthly subscription. At $9.99 and $24.99 a month, respectively, there are two more expensive subscription tiers with comparable features.

Twitch Prime and Turbo are the two premium programs that Twitch offers. With the exception of some embedded commercials and ads during promotional events, Twitch Turbo offers ad-free streaming on all broadcasts, two more sets of emotes, customized chat username colors, and longer broadcast storage (60 days as opposed to 14 days). There are no channel subscriptions included in this $8.99/month package. The cost of a channel subscription is the same for those who use it for free. Geographic restrictions are not specified by Twitch for Twitch Turbo accounts.

An Amazon Prime membership ($12.99 per month) or a Prime Video subscription ($8.99 per month) can be used to link Twitch Prime accounts. You can download free games and gaming loot every month with this account, and you also get a free monthly membership to the channel of your choosing (at the $4.99 monthly tier). You also have access to special chat features like personalized badges, unique colors, and unique emotes. Installing Twitch’s desktop app is required to access the games and prizes obtained through Twitch Prime, but they are yours to keep forever. This program has offered games in the past, such as Oxenfree, Pikuniku, and Superhot in addition to free two-day shipping, access to Amazon Fresh, Amazon Music Prime, and Amazon Prime Video, these Twitch privileges round out the advantages of a Prime membership.

Your country of residence will determine which Amazon subscription options are available and how to join up for Twitch Prime. For example, if you live in a nation where Amazon Prime is available, all you have to do is link your account to Twitch. In contrast, you will have to create an account and link it if you are not a Prime member.

If a country only offers a stand-alone Prime Video account, you can link it to Twitch to utilize the Twitch Prime features. If you live in a country where Amazon Prime is unavailable and you don’t have a Prime Video subscription, you can still sign up for a global Prime Video plan.

What Is Two-Factor Authentication?

Twitch offers the ability to set up two-factor authentication for account log-ins. Enabling this feature is recommended in any case, but it becomes required if you plan to take part in Twitch’s Partner or Affiliate programs (further information on those will be given later).

Apart from its web interface, Twitch has programs for other platforms such as gaming consoles (Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch), mobile devices (Android and iOS), and streaming devices (Chromecast, Fire TV, Nvidia Shield). Without any problems, we were able to download and log in to the software on both Android and the web. It’s important to note that Twitch no longer offers official desktop software for Mac or Windows.

How to Set Up a Twitch Broadcast

Aside from having the right hardware and software, having a Twitch streaming account is a must. Desktop users will need to look into other options even though Twitch’s specialized mobile apps have built-in streaming capabilities. The requirements listed by Twitch for broadcasting are as follows: a reliable internet connection, streaming software, a device that can run your material, and additional audio and visual equipment.

Given that Ethernet networks tend to operate quicker and more reliably than Wi-Fi, using one is advised for best broadcast quality. An adapter that works with the port on your laptop can be necessary because a lot of laptops these days don’t have Ethernet connections. Comparatively, Ethernet ports are typically present on Windows desktops and iMacs.

The most basic choice for broadcasting software is the Twitch Studio app, which is only compatible with Windows systems and is presently in beta. Once the software has been downloaded, log into your account. When you first launch the program, it finds microphones and cameras that are connected, evaluates system resources and bandwidth (letting you choose the resolution), and creates three simple streaming layouts.

You can customize your stream’s appearance by starting with these streaming layouts. In each layout, you can add as many components as you like, such as text, graphics, camera feeds (you can overlay your own video feed on top of the main capture source, for example), and channel alerts (like follows, cheers, and subscriptions) using a WYSIWYG editor. To begin your live broadcast, just click the purple “Start Stream” button at the bottom of the application after you’ve adjusted everything to your taste. A smooth and fluid experience is provided by the application interface. In addition, Twitch offers software to guarantee that the music you stream conforms with copyright laws, reducing the possibility of getting banned for infringing on copyright.

But you’re not restricted to the in-house software of Twitch. Alternatives like Lightstream Studio, Open Broadcaster Software, and Streamlabs OBS are accessible for both Windows and macOS devices. Visit Twitch’s dedicated broadcasting software website to learn about more choices and other broadcasting tools. Investigate the variety of Twitch Extensions available for streams that really grab viewers’ attention.

Twitch offers advice on hardware for streamers, including desk mounts, cameras, lighting equipment, audio mixing interfaces, microphones, macOS and Windows PCs, and desk mounts. All of these recommendations are easily accessed through links to Amazon.com. Depending on the purpose of your intended stream, you may need a mid-range laptop or a gaming PC. To broadcast the newest AAA game, for instance, you’ll need a gaming PC that can manage both gameplay and streaming at the same time. On the other hand, a less capable system can be adequate if all you want it to do is process inputs from a camera and microphone. A two-device setup, where one device records gameplay and the other manages the broadcast, can be an option if your system is unable to meet these expectations. However, this is a costly solution that may not be necessary.

Are alternative options to Twitch’s suggestions? Sure. Is anything on this list necessary? Possibly not. For example, you might get by without a desk mount or dedicated video lighting if you already have a good source of light accessible.

With Twitch’s mobile apps and game consoles, you can start live streaming without needing any extra software, so you don’t have to worry about the platforms’ hardware requirements. Simply follow the on-screen directions, even if you might have to complete some basic setup tasks. Interestingly, Twitch now has an official Nintendo Switch app, which may allow gameplay capture when the console is connected and utilizing an external capture card.

How to Build a Twitch Channel

You’re almost ready to start broadcasting once you’ve adjusted every backend setting. But it’s important to decide what content you want to share with your audience before going live. Take some time to watch well-known streamers in order to identify the elements that lead to their success. While some people are exceptional at a certain sport, others enthrall audiences with their captivating personalities. Your objective is to give viewers a strong incentive to join your channel and watch your program. Visit the Twitch Creator’s Camp page for additional advice on getting started with streaming.

The topic you select for your channel plays a crucial role in its appeal. As previously mentioned, Twitch employs a tagging system for categorization. Whether you aim to target tags with the widest audiences or opt for less popular tags with devoted followers, it’s essential to develop a unique angle that sets your content apart. Naturally, accurate tagging is imperative if you want your content to be discoverable by viewers.

Because Twitch is mostly about game streaming, choosing a well-liked game to stream will help you become much more visible right away. Plays such as Overwatch, Apex: Legends, Call of Duty, FIFA, Fortnite, League of Legends, Overwatch, Rocket League, and Valorant are all solid options. And for those players who are thinking about making a purchase, checking out new and developing games can also have significant viewing potential. Above all, though, you must choose a game that you enjoy and are skilled at playing. Combining knowledge and enthusiasm can have a big impact on audience expansion avoid games that Twitch prohibits, especially those that violate community guidelines or have an ESRB rating of Adults Only. Check out Twitch’s most recent, but not comprehensive, list for further assurance. Our list of the top video games for kids is a useful place to start, though, regardless.

Nowadays, a large percentage of Twitch’s content is not related to gaming. Just as well-liked as some of the most well-known games are tags like IRL and Creative. A great place for new streamers to start is the Just Chatting category, which prominently leads Twitch’s creative side. Still, a lot of attention is also paid to the Music & Production category. The fundamentals of audience building apply here as well: either give your broadcasts a distinct personality that appeals to viewers, or highlight abilities and capabilities that viewers will find entertaining.

How to Make Money With Twitch

Gamers are generally happy when they play, and even more of them want to make money from it. Many ways to make money while playing games are accessible on Twitch, albeit new users might not be able to take use of them. It’s preferable for newbies on Twitch to link their PayPal or Patreon accounts to their profile and rely on viewers to donate money.

Twitch provides two main programs: the Affiliate program and the Partner program, if you set up a regular posting schedule and successfully grow an audience. You cannot make money with Bits or subscriptions unless you participate in one of these programs.

The Twitch Affiliate program comes first. In order to be eligible, you had to have streamed for at least eight hours in the last thirty days, broadcasted on at least seven of those days, kept an average of three viewers every stream, and accumulated fifty followers. Once you fulfill these requirements, Twitch will automatically invite you to this program. However, in order to keep your account privileges, you must continue to fulfill these conditions.

The Twitch Affiliate program comes first. In order to be eligible, you had to have streamed for at least eight hours in the last thirty days, broadcasted on at least seven of those days, kept an average of three viewers every stream, and accumulated fifty followers. Once you fulfill these requirements, Twitch will automatically invite you to this program. However, in order to keep your account privileges, you must continue to fulfill these conditions.

The ability to make money from advertisements that are shown on your channel is one advantage of participating in this program. Furthermore, Twitch offers its partners a more equitable earnings split by taking on transaction fees on their behalf. A Twitch Partnership has additional benefits over the Affiliate Program, such as the ability to create personalized Cheermotes that can be expanded to 50 Emotes (up from 1), 60 days of on-demand video storage, and a payout guarantee of 45 days (instead of the previous 60 days).

Streamers who sign up for either program can get paid through bits and channel subscriptions. You can create membership tiers at the $4.99, $9.99, and $24.99 monthly price points, as was previously announced. After taxes and fees, Affiliates get half of the subscription revenue; Partners, depending on the size of their audience, can get a larger portion. All free subscriptions from Twitch Prime account members are still divided equally in revenue. Furthermore, Twitch now lets users buy channel subscriptions for other people using Gift Subscriptions.

Bits use a significantly more intricate method to function. To help streams, users pay actual money for Bits. One hundred bits costs $1.40, five thousand bits cost $64.40, and twenty-five thousand bits cost $308. For each Bit utilized in the chat, streamers usually receive one penny. Therefore, the broadcaster receives $10 for each 1,000 Bits that users contribute in the chat. The Bit emote is visually appealing in proportion to its usefulness. For example, the 10,000 Bit animation is a bright red star that breaks apart and reassembles, whereas the 1 Bit animation is a straightforward grey, pyramid-like structure that rotates. Streamers are able to set minimum thresholds for Bits based on both the lowest possible Bit and the overall Bit value. With this, streamers can guarantee a minimum earnings threshold. For example, they can set the smallest Bit size and minimum Bit value to 5,000 in order to guarantee $50 for each cheer. Cheermotes are basically Bits-accompanied communications.

Engage with the Twitch Community

The best way to clear up any remaining misunderstanding regarding Twitch is to use the platform regularly. You will get a better understanding of its vocabulary and functionalities the more time you spend exploring it. Even while quick success isn’t a given, this personal experience can influence the development of an effective streaming plan. Furthermore, it is imperative to grasp the nuances of the Twitch community prior to striving to develop a huge fan base or make a sizable income.

For more information, Visit : https://innovativewizards.com/