Twitch means games, fun, and entertainment. It is a hub for video gamers, content creators, and influencers. These are platforms that pay you for your passion so you can turn your hobby into a career. The Twitch Affiliate program can be a great starting point for anyone. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to become a Twitch Affiliate, including the requirements, benefits, and tips for success.
In this Article:
What is the Twitch Affiliate Program?
The Twitch affiliate program is designed for video streamers who meet specific criteria, and this program allows them to monetize their content through various revenue streams. By becoming an affiliate, streamers unlock tools that help them grow their audience and earn money from subscriptions, ads, Bits, game sales, and more. Twitch affiliates enjoy a solid set of tools that make it possible to start earning money from their streams.
What Are the Key Requirements to Become a Twitch Affiliate?
To become an Affiliate, you need to meet four Twitch affiliate requirements:
- Reach 50 Followers
This is the first milestone toward becoming an Affiliate. You must have at least 50 followers on your Twitch channel. Gaining followers requires consistent streaming, interacting with your audience, and promoting your channel on other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok. - Stream for at Least 8 Hours
You need to stream a total of 8 hours within the last 30 days. It’s important to note that these hours can be spread across multiple streams. Just be sure to engage with your audience and create content that keeps people interested. - Stream on 7 Different Days
To qualify, you must stream on at least 7 different days. This shows that you are active on the platform and dedicated to engaging with your audience over time. - Reach an average of 3 viewers
This means that, on average, you need at least 3 viewers to be watching your live stream simultaneously over the last 30 days.
How to Become a Twitch Affiliate: Step-by-Step Process
To become a Twitch Affiliate, follow these steps:
1. Reach the Affiliate Criteria
Make sure you’ve met all four requirements: 50 followers, 8 hours of streaming, 7 unique stream days, and an average of 3 viewers.
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2. Receive Your Invitation
Once you have met all these requirements, you will receive an invitation via email and a Twitch notification to join the Affiliate Program.
You can track your progress toward these goals in the Achievements section of your Twitch Creator Dashboard. The invitation usually arrives within 24-48 hours of meeting the last requirement.
3. Complete the Onboarding Process
After receiving your invite, you will need to complete a few steps:
- Payout Registration: Provide your tax and payout information.
- Monetized Streamer Agreement: Sign the agreement, or have a guardian sign it if you’re under 18.
- Tax Information: Fill out the necessary tax forms for royalties and service taxes.
- Select Payout Method: Choose how you want to receive your earnings (PayPal, wire transfer, etc.).
4. Start Earning Money
Once you have completed the onboarding process, now you can start monetizing your channel and earning from subscriptions, Bits, ads, and game sales.
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Benefits of Becoming a Twitch Affiliate
As a Twitch Affiliate, you will get access to several powerful tools and features that help you generate revenue and engage with your community. Here are the primary Twitch affiliate benefits:
Monetization Tools
- Cheering with Bits
Viewers can purchase Bits and use them to cheer during your streams. You’ll earn a portion of the money they spend on Bits. Read More: What are Twitch Bits? - Subscriptions
One of the most significant ways to earn revenue on Twitch is through subscriptions. Affiliates can offer subscriptions to their viewers. Subscribers pay a monthly fee to support your channel, and in return they get perks like sub emotes (up to 5 unlockable emotes for Affiliates). You earn recurring revenue from these subscriptions, which can become a significant income stream.
- Ads Revenue
Affiliates can run ads during their streams. You will earn a share of ad revenue generated from the ads shown to your viewers. This feature allows you to monetize your content even when you’re not actively engaging with your audience.
- Game Sales Commission
If you’re playing a game that’s available for purchase, you can earn a commission when viewers purchase the game through your channel. This is a great way to monetize the games you play while promoting them to your audience.
Video Tools
- Transcoding Access
Affiliates get priority access to transcoding options which allows your viewers to choose the quality of the stream. This is crucial for maintaining a good viewing experience, as it enables people with slower internet connections to watch without buffering. - VOD Storage
You can store your streams as VODs (Videos on Demand) for 14 days. This allows people who missed your live broadcast to catch up on your content. - Stream Delay
For Affiliates, Twitch offers a stream delay of up to 15 minutes, which is particularly useful in competitive gaming to prevent stream sniping. - Channel Trailers
As an Affiliate, you can create a channel trailer, an introductory video that plays when new viewers visit your channel. This is a great way to showcase your content and encourage them to follow.
Community Engagement Tools
- Channel Points
Affiliates can set up Channel Points, which are rewards viewers can earn by watching your stream. These channel points can be redeemed for special Twitch affiliate perks, such as requesting songs, sending messages, or triggering on-screen animations. - Polls and Stories
You can engage your community with polls and stories. These features help you interact with your viewers and get their feedback which makes them feel more involved in your content.
Payouts and Flexibility
- Payout System
Affiliates are paid on a NET15 basis, which means you’ll receive payments 15 days after the end of the month in which you earned your revenue. The payout threshold is $50 for most payout methods, like PayPal and direct deposit, and $100 for wire transfers. - Payment Methods
You can choose how to receive your payouts. Popular methods include PayPal, wire transfer, or direct deposit, depending on your location. - Verified Channel Badge
Affiliates receive a Verified Channel Badge, which shows your status as an official Twitch Affiliate. This badge helps build credibility and trust with your audience. - Customer Support
Affiliates get priority partner support, which means faster response times when you need help with any issues related to your Twitch account.
How Much Can You Earn as a Twitch Affiliate?
Earnings as a Twitch Affiliate vary greatly depending on several factors, including the size of your audience, the number of subscriptions, the frequency of Bits usage, and the number of ads you run during streams. As your community grows, so does your earning potential. Over time, consistent engagement and stream quality will help you earn more.
Conclusion: Take the Leap and Become a Twitch Affiliate
Becoming a Twitch Affiliate is an important milestone for any streamer. It offers the chance to start earning money while doing something you enjoy. By meeting the eligibility requirements, completing the onboarding process, and using the available monetization and engagement tools, you can begin building a steady income from your content.
If you’re ready to take that step and make streaming a meaningful part of your life, the Twitch Affiliate Program is waiting for you. Stay focused, and soon you’ll be invited to join!
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