Following many creator scandals, Twitch believes it made the proper improvements 2023

Twitch believes this is the ideal moment to be on the site, despite recent concerns regarding revenue changes, commercials, and high-profile producers departing for YouTube.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a better moment to start broadcasting on Twitch,” said Twitch CPO Tom Verrilli.

Twitch published a lengthy blog in January detailing its investments in streams and platform enhancements. Streamers have more alternatives than ever as platforms fight for users, ads, and talent. Verrilli and chief monetization officer Mike Minton told The Verge what their teams are doing to make Twitch income and content development easier.

Twitch is certain has made the correct adjustments after a series of creative scandals.

If a streamer generated over $100,000 in subscription income, Twitch changed its revenue sharing proportion from 70/30 to 50/50 last September. Though the change only affected the smallest percentage of the highest-earning streamers, it caused a cascade of bad feelings across Twitch communities because it signaled that the highly desired, much-asked-for 70 / 30 subscription revenue split for all streamers would not be coming soon, if at all.

Minton noted the community’s response and reception were loud. The feedback taught the couple the importance of listening, hearing, and communicating with the community. Most importantly, they recognized Twitch had to show users what it was doing to earn its cut.

“We spoke a lot about how we’re in this together, and part of it is innovation,” said Minton. “We are dedicated to improving current monetization tools and establishing new ones, and ultimately to enhance a streamer’s earnings.”

Minton knows that most streamers think the 70/30 subscription income share is the easiest way to do that, but Twitch is more focused on extending the pie by investing in new products and helping broadcasters get longer and more valuable sponsorships.

Twitch is pretty sure it made the right changes after a series of problems with creators.

The investment produced the ad incentive scheme. Minton said the ad reward program’s acceptability and involvement exceeded expectations. “Now streamers recognize the utility of placing ads.”

Twitch has changed its ad incentive scheme so creators may opt in or out at any moment instead than being locked in for a month. Creators now get an anticipated amount based on their involvement level instead of a fixed amount.

Minton recognized that the platform’s advertisements aren’t ideal, but the firm has reduced their intrusiveness with static, in-player ads and removing preroll ads if producers broadcast at least three minutes each hour. “We’re really, really thinking about ad placement generally and ensuring that, as a viewer, when you’re searching for a new community, we’re lowering the effect of ads,” Minton said.

Streamers worry about more than ads and money. Because streamers work so hard, users wanted a bigger income split. Creators build their communities and produce, edit, and market their material. Compared to streamer effort, 50/50 wasn’t enough.

Verrilli said that online content creation is difficult. He thinks Twitch can help broadcasters by offering them greater insights, making it easier to export footage in minutes, and putting more of the discovery weight off them.

Verrilli listed three major Twitch goals for broadcasters and their communities: increasing audiences, retaining audiences, and incorporating fans into the entertainment.

“We want to make it easier for producers to take their outstanding Twitch content and distribute it,” Verrilli said of audience growth.

He didn’t say how Twitch was doing that or what new systems they were developing to help people find them. However Twitch has broadened its tag system so broadcasters may add unique categories for their stream (such as Black, Latinx, or LGBTQIA2S+) so fans can filter down to see the producers they want to watch. Twitch is now adding tag impressions so streamers can see what categories get the most views.

For a long time, creators have connected with their audience through chat, adding emotes and applauding.

Verrillii stated Guest Star is the next conversation progression. Guest Star, presently in beta, lets broadcasters quickly showcase other producers or their audience.

Minton and Verrilli feel community is the greatest method to aid Twitch streamers. “Twitch originates and ends with community,” Verrilli remarked.

Minton concurred. “We’re dedicated to innovating and improving the experience from a beginner streamer to a very successful star.”