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Before understanding what a Twitch affiliate is, let us first have a look at Twitch. Twitch is an American video live streaming service. Its main focus is on video game live streaming, which includes esports competitions, music broadcasts, creative content, and real-life streaming. It was founded in June 2011.
Now let us know about Twitch affiliates. Twitch Affiliate is a program provided by Twitch to take a step further to ensure that Twitch continues to be the best streaming platform in the world for everyone. With the help of the Twitch affiliate program, qualified streamers can now come one step closer to their dreams of making a living from their passion. The streamers are known by the name Twitch Affiliates. Twitch affiliates can now start earning on Twitch by building their audience base and working towards the coveted status of Twitch partners. Now let’s have a look at a few questions that pop up in our minds.
How do you start earning on Twitch with subscriptions?
Twitch affiliates can easily start earning by accepting the subscription amount awarded by their viewers. The subscription options available with Twitch affiliates are as given below:-
- $4.99
- $9.99
- $24.99
- Prime free subscription
Twitch affiliates receive $2.50 for every Prime subscription. Twitch Prime subscriptions are not directly purchased.
Other than the above-stated subscription options, a Twitch affiliate gets 1 global subscriber to emote for all subscribers. They also have the option of adding 2 more emotes for $9.99 and $24.99 subscribers.
How do you start earning on Twitch with the help of Bits?
Let us first understand what a bit is. Bits are basically virtual goods that viewers can buy to Cheer in chat. On launching the account on Twitch, twitch affiliates get an option to enable the bits option that can be used to cheer on their channel. With the bits option, viewers get the chance to cheer their Twitch affiliates without actually leaving Twitch. The streamers whose channel bits are cheered get a share of the revenue. There are various forms of animated bits available.
How do you start earning on Twitch with Game Sales?
Twitch affiliates can also make a living by generating revenue by selling games or in-game items on Twitch. The offer of purchase is visible on the page or channel of the streamer just below the video, which is streamed when streamers play any game on stream that is available for sale or has in-game items for sale. A 5% share of the revenue is generated from the purchases that are made from their channel or page. If any viewer purchases $ 4.99 or more, then they are rewarded with a Twitch crate.
How can one Lose an Affiliate on Twitch?
One can actually lose their affiliate status on Twitch for various reasons. The most obvious reasons why Twitch affiliates lose their affiliate status are given as follows:-
- Leaving the account inactive for a longer duration
With reference to the FAQs provided by twitch in the content of inactivity commonly known as not streaming. In the FAQs, it is clearly mentioned that an account will be termed as inactive or substantial activity if there has been no streaming activity held for a period of more than 12 months. Also, there are many other factors by which one can determine if the account is still active or not. These factors are generally considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Breach of terms and conditions of Twitch
If one breaks their terms of service, they can easily lose their Twitch affiliate account and possibly their Twitch account.
- Cancellation of the agreement by either party, i.e., by Twitch or Twitch affiliates.
Section 9 of the Twitch affiliate agreement clearly states that either the Twitch affiliates or Twitch can end the agreement at any time with or without notice. On successfully receiving the written notice, a twitch will start the process of paying out any money that was yours and taking money from you that you owe to twitch.
- Streaming on another platform concurrently
Streaming on Twitch and simultaneously streaming on other platforms will breach your Twitch affiliate agreement. One can easily be removed from the Twitch affiliate program for breaking the agreement.
- Other reasons may be mentioned in the agreement.
Can One Re-Apply to be a Twitch Affiliate Again?
Re-applying to be a Twitch affiliate again is possible by following the procedure mentioned by Twitch. If the earlier affiliation program was left on a good note, one can re-apply. For this, one needs to reach out to the Twitch team and ask them to take it back in. Also, this might not always work. If one is being removed from the affiliate program earlier, then it becomes a tough nut to crack.
If one Loses their Twitch Affiliate, will they Lose their Twitch Account too?
Having a Twitch account and having a Twitch affiliate account are two very different things. According to the FAQs provided by Twitch, if one gets removed from the Twitch affiliate program, the Twitch account will remain active. The Twitch account only remains active if the affiliate was removed for breaching the Twitch affiliate agreement. If there is a breach of the terms of service, then both the Twitch account and Twitch affiliate are lost.
What are the Requirements for the Affiliate Program?
The requirements to join the Twitch affiliate program are given below:-
- Reach at least 50 followers.
- Streaming of a minimum of 8 hours or a total of 500 minutes broadcast is a must.
- Stream on the 7 different days of the month.
- An average of 3 or more concurrent viewers is required. Concurrent viewers are those who are constantly watching the live stream or the live stream being watched at the same time. Concurrent viewers should not be confused with the total number of viewers that one gets on their stream.
All 4 requirements need to be fulfilled over a period of 30 days to qualify for the Twitch affiliate program. If a streamer is under 18 years of age on the date of signing the Twitch affiliate agreement, then your parent or guardian will have to agree on the terms of the Twitch affiliate program.
Once all the 4 necessary requirements are met, twitch reaches out to the Twitch streamers within a few weeks to invite you to join the Twitch affiliate program. It is not mandatory to join a Twitch affiliate program, but if one joins the Twitch affiliate program, they get a lot of benefits, which acts as a cherry on the cake. If one becomes a Twitch affiliate, then they can have viewers subscribe to their channel, collect bits, have custom emotes for the page or channel, and use channel points to use, among other things.
How Much Money Can Be Earned on Twitch?
Making money on Twitch will depend on a number of factors. Some of these factors include the number of Twitch subscribers you currently have, various monetization options availed by the Twitch streamer, the regularity of the content being produced, the number of views on the content, and many more on the list. Many Twitch streamers have stated their income to be between $3,000 and $5,000 on a monthly basis. Pinpointing the exact earnings of Twitch streamers is a tough nut to crack as there is no source available that mentions the average earnings of Twitch streamers.
How do Twitch Affiliates Get Paid on Twitch?
The payment on Twitch is made to Twitch affiliates once they reach the pre-tax amount of at least $ 100. This $ 100 will include money received from the subscribers along with the various monetization methods availed. The money received from the sale of merchandise or donations that are received from third parties will not be included in the payment of the amount before tax which is $100 or more. If a minimum of $100 has not been reached yet, then Twitch will carry forward the money to the next month. Once the amount before tax is $100 or more, a twitch will pay the amount 15 days after the end of that month. The amount is received within 3 to 5 days in the account to get reflected.
How Much Time Does it Take to Be a Twitch Affiliate?
For most Twitch streamers, becoming a Twitch affiliate takes 1 to 2 months of consistent streaming. However, one can become an affiliate before this duration as soon as they fulfill all the necessary requirements.