Twitch Streaming has become a very lucrative business-model.
So lucrative, that some big Streamers like Ludwig are easily making $150,000 per month from their Twitch viewership alone.
But of course, not everyone is a top-tier Twitch partner like Ludwig with 36,000 consistent viewers on the platform.
Twitch allows smaller streamers to make money as well, through their Twitch Affiliate program.
What is a Twitch Affiliate?
Requirements to Become a Twitch Affiliate
In order to become a Twitch Affiliate you need at least:
- 50 followers
- 500 minutes (8.3 hours) of broadcast time over 7 days
- 3 consecutive viewers
These metrics need to be achieved in a 30 day period.
Path to Twitch Affiliate
Every Twitch streamer has access to the achievement tab in their settings. Here they can check their 30-day stats to becoming a Twitch Affiliate.
If they successfully reach the requirements in the allotted 30-day time, they will find a ‘get started’ button where they can start the onboarding process.
Tips to Become a Twitch Affiliate
The requirements to becoming a Twitch Affiliate are definitely doable for most wannabe-streamers with the right mindset.
Here are 5 tips to help you grow on Twitch:
Use a facecam
Viewers prefer to see the streamer they are watching, this makes the whole experience more personalized. A facecam is definitely a must for beginner-streamers.
Engage with your stream
Just because you have 0-5 viewers that don’t seem to talk in your chat, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be trying to engage with them.
Too many streamers believe they can just play a videogame and the viewers will roll in, successful streamers are always engaging with their chat.
Have a personality
Every Twitch streamer has a specific personality. Look at Ludwig, Ninja, XQC, each of these top-tier streamers have a very big personality.
Without that personality, they wouldn’t be where they are today. And no you don’t need to be a fearless extrovert (though it does help) look at Sykkuno who has become one of the biggest streamers in the world by turning his shy personality into a brand.
Use social media
No Twitch streamer has ever made it to the top without using alternative sources of traffic.
On Twitch you are competing with hundreds of thousands of other channels at all times. This is the worst place to drive your traffic from as a beginner streamer.
Instead, you should leverage social media and build a following there that you can send directly to your streams.
Don’t stop your stream simply because no one is watching.
It’s always going to be easier to quit than to chase your dreams. If you want to become a full-time Twitch streamer, you can only become one with the right mindset.
What is a Twitch Partner?
Requirements to Become a Twitch Partner
In order to become a Twitch Partner you need at least:
- Stream on 12 different days
- Stream for 25 hours
- Average 75 viewers
These metrics need to be achieved in a 30 day period.
Path to Twitch Partner
Similar to how you can track your path to becoming an affiliate, you can track your progress the same way in becoming a Twitch Partner.
However, unlike Affiliates, being eligible for Twitch Partnership does not mean they will automatically accept you.
You will need to fill in a Partnership form which will be reviewed by the Twitch team. This process can take around 7 business days.
Twitch Affiliate vs Twitch Partner
Below is a graph taken from Twitch’s FAQ that shows the difference between a Twitch Affiliate and Twitch Partner.
| Features | Twitch Affiliate | Twitch Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Bit donations | Yes (No custom cheermotes) | Yes |
| Subscriptions | Yes | Yes |
| Advertisements | Yes | yes |
| VODs | 14 days | 60 days |
| Stream delay | No option | up to 15 minutes |
| Channel Points | Yes | Yes |
| Polls | Yes | Yes |
| Stream Team Creation | No | Yes |
| Emote tool | No | Yes |
| Customer Service | Standard Support | Priority Partner Support, Partnership Team |
While a Twitch partner has access to extra features such as extended VOD storage, the emote tool and priority customer service, the difference between an affiliate and a partner really isn’t that significant.
Both Twitch Affiliates and Partners can earn money through Subscribers, Bit donations, and Advertisements.
So there is no real revenue benefit to becoming a Twitch Partner.
FAQ
Do Twitch Partners Make More Money than Twitch Affiliates?
There is no financial benefit to becoming a Twitch partner over a Twitch Affiliate. Both earn 50% ($2.50) from every monthly subscriber.
Only partners who qualify for the top-tier Twitch partner program (10,000+ average viewers) can expect to rake in 70% ($3.50) from each individual subscriber.
How Many Twitch Partners are Currently on Twitch?
There are currently 51,480 Twitch partners.
Source:
Goodbye 2020, you’ve been something.
— CommanderRoot (@CommanderRoot) January 1, 2021
Time for Q4 2020 @Twitch stats:
Twitch currently has 1,549,256 affiliates and 51,480 partners, all while having 1,838 staff accounts.
There are currently 3,195,733 emotes on Twitch.
How Many Twitch Affiliates are Currently on Twitch?
There are currently 1,549,256 Twitch Affiliates.
According to CommanderRoot’s quarterly update on Twitter.
How To Get Verified on Twitch?
In order to get the verified Twitch badge, you need to either be a Twitch Affiliate or Twitch Partner.
How Much Do Twitch Streamers Make?
Conclusion
The difference between a Twitch Affiliate and Twitch Partner isn’t all that significant. There is no monetary benefit to becoming a partner unless you become a top-tier Twitch Partner and receive 70% from every subscriber instead of 50%.
If you aren’t a Twitch Affiliate yet, check out our tips above to help you get there.
If you are a Twitch Affiliate but not a partner yet, keep hustling and keep your head up!