Twitch is the #1 platform for gamers and live streamers, but will this recent announcement push their creators to YouTube?
Now let’s talk about Twitch
Twitch and gaming go hand and hand, but it seems that the platform is making it quite obvious they no longer care about what their cash cows want anymore. In fact, starting June 1, 2023 those on the 70/30 split will receive a pay cut. This is a wonderful way to show appreciation for those that have given so much to their platform.
This seems to be the new trend with social media platforms. Use the creators then dump them to do whatever you want. You can check out my post here about how Instagram is doing the same thing.
Now, to be fair we know that Twitch has done a lot of questionable things, but the latest announcement might be pushing the final nail in the coffin for their own platform.
Twitch, formerly known as Justin.TV will be issuing pay cuts to their crème de la crème of creators. Instead of receiving the lucrative 70/30 split, where the creator receives 70% of their profit and Twitch receives the remaining 30% of the profit. They are now making it a 50/50 split. Along with the 50/50 split there will be even more ads rolled out for those just viewing the content on Twitch.
Twitch ads are the worst type of ads because you cannot skip these ads. You just have to sit there and let it play, which is such a fun experience in the middle of a livestream, right?
Twitch did go on to clarify their decision in a blog post on their website. After reading the post you realize it is because Twitch needs the money.
No, I am not joking, they really do and honestly, I do understand their position since I am a Web Developer first, Internet Journalist second.
So, Twitch is hosted by Amazon Web Services. Cloud Hosting Services. Cloud Hosting Services are the future. Everyone wants to be hosted on the cloud because the service is lightning fast and light. However, the service ends up being quite expensive in the end.
It doesn’t look like it at first, which is the problem, because no matter how much you sit there and try to calculate based on your current data and usage, somehow the service is always way more than expected.
You would know this if you have ever gone shopping for a hosting provider. Whether it is for a new project, a client or just trying out services. Usually you are super excited because you want to try these new elite features that everyone is raving about and then you receive an invoice. The invoice is never what was expected when you did your calculations. You’re good if it is only a little bit higher, but if you royally messed up or there was an influx in traffic or resources the cost can be 4xs the amount or even more.
I don’t think my heart could handle opening the invoice email for Twitch. I am sure it is nowhere near normal, but they’re a huge company and they can handle it. Right?
No, they can’t, which is why they are doing money management now.
Yet, Twitch is a partner with Amazon. I doubt or at least hope there is a price break on the hosting costs for their platform. If not, someone needs to make a call because even though Twitch is numero uno right now, YouTube can definitely take their crown before they even notice.
Twitch has made some very bizarre decisions.
There are valid reasons as to why many people consider Twitch to be a complete joke as a platform. Originally a platform made just for gaming decided it was okay for women to do what they want. This decision has turned the platform into an Onlyfans lite, or even better an Onlyfans alternative.
Recently, a female streamer had sex live for everyone to watch. The team at Twitch decided to “ban” this streamer for a whopping 7 days!
Is that even a ban? Also, Twitch bans do not make any sense. A ban means you’re done for. You’re gone. It is curtains for you. Yet, they have these weird time limits on them. They should be called suspensions, but for the type of behavior that this certain streamer displayed, no discussion is needed.
Twitch’s actual steps should have been
- We permanently banned this user
- We deleted their account
Honestly, what was the point of even banning her? It seems like they enjoyed the shenanigans and welcomed her with open arms.
For those streamers struggling I am sure they are thinking, maybe they should risk it, too.
I mean why not boost your views, ratings, subscribers, followers if you’re only going to receive a 7 day ban for having sex live when it obviously goes against Twitch’s Terms of Service? You’ll be able to think of even more zany ideas during the ban and come back to even more success than before.
Even Twitch benefits from this as they will get more money to pay for their servers which is why they’re handing out pay cuts and shoving more ads in viewers’ faces.
You might think is absolutely silly. Why would anyone think that way? Well, you must understand that new streamers have it incredibly hard.
Despite the company’s attempts to improve discoverability for newcomers, not much has changed in terms of getting people’s attention on a platform filled with more content creators than viewers.
How do you as a gamer make it amongst a sea of beautiful women using their sex appeal and bare skin to promote their channel. They already have an edge, and even if you grind 24/7 they can take you down just by putting a bikini on. So, why try?
What is the point of joining a platform that is for gamers, but really it isn’t?
Sure, I can sit here and tell you about all the wrong things that Twitch has done that are strange and nonsensical, but I like to be fair.
Here are Twitch’s Highlights
Most creators have an amazing community. These people are diehard fans and celebrate those they love.
The chat is far superior when compared to any other platform. It is more engaging, exciting, and bursting with all sorts of flair options.
Amazon Prime Gaming — If you are on Twitch and you are paying for Amazon Prime you get to have some cool things that others don’t.
- Cool, Free in game content. For example: I just received a bunch of balls, potions, etc for Pokemon Go.
- The Free Channel Subscription, which I believe is the best perk! You can subscribe to your favorite Twitch streamer and receive all of the membership perks courtesy of Amazon Prime. I love this because it is a win-win situation for all.
- This one is nerdy, but I love seeing the Twitch logo on my Amazon Packages…Especially, when the packaging is purple. Yanno, Twitch colors.
There’s definitely a few more perks, but those are the most significant at least for me.
Who Could Possibly Be The New Gaming Platform Titan?
Easy. YouTube. We’ve all been waiting for them to take it to the next level as Twitch continues to disappoint.
You may think this is a joke, but popular well-known Twitch streamers have made the move to YouTube already such as: Pokimane, Ninja, Ludwig and there are definitely more. These streamers are used to putting in hundreds of hours a month to get that Twitch coin, but are now able to go outside for once and be okay with money. This makes for a happier creator which is a win for all of us.
This Is How YouTube Gets It Right
Once you hit the YouTube requirements for your channel your perks begin.
- a 70/30 split is normal.
- Subscribers can become members if you have memberships enabled.
- Memberships = More money for the creator.
- You can stream on any and all platforms since it isn’t exclusive.
- It is easier to get discovered. Everyone is on YouTube, there’s even a special tab for gaming content.
Plus, if you are starting out I would suggest starting on YouTube because then you can have your following follow you to Twitch whereas its much more difficult to start with Twitch and then have people follow you to YouTube.
YouTube has more features such as the community tab. Even though people joke that no one reads the community tab, I totally do. I do love seeing community posts from my favorite creators outside of uploading new videos. Seriously, I believe the community tab is an undervalued tool.
Lastly, YouTube made a huge announcement for creators to make even more money.
YouTube Shorts will now be monetized, but instead of receiving the 70/30 split, it is instead a 45/55 split. Meaning 45% goes towards the creator and the remaining amount goes to YouTube. You may say that’s not fair, but honestly considering that shorts are literally only 60 seconds and the crappier the video looks the better it performs receiving any sort of monetization is a huge plus.
Now if YouTube were to make their live chat experience the same or even better than Twitch’s and sprinkle in a few extra features they could easily ring out Twitch altogether.
Will Twitchers Flee The Platform?
Looking at all of the ways that you can monetize on YouTube, why would you choose Twitch? Loyalty? The Brand? You let me know! What are your thoughts about live streaming? Do you think Twitch will adjust and continue to reign or do you think YouTube will eventually nab the crown? I want to know!
Special Treat for those that read until the end, here’s the perfect video portrayal of Twitch
And A Great Video About Twitch by Optimus!
What Are Your Thoughts?
Leave your thoughts in a comment on this blog post or you can always tag me or message me on Twitter. If you’re not on Twitter you can always message me on Instagram, or send a text message, or send your thoughts directly to my email via my website or using my email address.
Thanks for reading the post!
