Twitch has reneged on a controversial policy that has garnered a ton of backlash from its users. Twitch is one of the biggest websites thanks to the amount of content it produces on a daily basis. Thousands of people gather to stream their favorite games, watch videos/movies with others, or host elaborate productions like game shows while millions watch. Although Twitch is the dominant streaming platform, it has inspired rivals like Kick that aim to provide a fairer distribution of revenue with its content creators and attempt to be less restrictive with its rules to allow more freedom in the content produced. Kick has managed to attract some major streamers with its big promises and it may seem very lucrative to others after recent controversy.
Twitch has made new changes to how streamers can display branded/sponsored content in their streams which is a big part of their revenue and is much more consistent/guaranteed since they can make these deals directly with the businesses. Twitch aimed to impose serious restrictions on how streamers can promote this content, such as not allowing on-screen branded banners to take up more than 3% of the screen and other weird limitations. It would threaten a significant portion of big creators’ income, so naturally they didn’t take it well. Creators like Asmongold have threatened to quit Twitch if this happens and others have expressed their anger. Twitch has since backtracked on those changes, apologizing for the way it worded its new policies and noting that it plans to make changes to address feedback that was given.
What is allowed is:
– Channel page panel ads.
– Products in the background of your feed.
– Links in chat.
– Discuss/unpack the products
– Play sponsored games. pic.twitter.com/PVO4EkahIw— Zach Bussey (@zachbussey) June 6, 2023
We do not intend to limit streamers’ ability to build direct relationships with sponsors, and understand that this is an important part of how streamers generate revenue.
—Twitch (@Twitch) June 6, 2023
Ultimately, Twitch continues to make bad choice after bad choice. This is beginning to seriously impact the image of the site, especially with some of its greatest creators. He can’t really afford to keep making these mistakes, especially as his rivals look to steal talent and make Twitch more obsolete. It’s unclear how long Twitch will go on without making any serious changes, but we may be seeing a turning point in how streaming sites operate.
What do you think of Twitch? Let me know in the comments or contact me Twitter @Cade_Onder.