“I just started streaming on Twitch, but how can I monetize it? What are the requirements for becoming an affiliate?” There are probably many people who are concerned about these questions.

To aim for monetization on Twitch, you first need to meet the affiliate requirements and proceed with the application and registration according to the specified procedures.

This article will explain the conditions that need to be met for monetization, the methods of earning revenue such as Cheering, subscriptions, and advertisements, and details about the partner program.

Additionally, we will introduce how to earn revenue, points for approaching monetization, and the conditions required for those who can achieve monetization.

Please read through to the end and take your first step towards monetization in a style that suits you.

Four Conditions to Achieve for Monetization on Twitch

To aim for monetization on Twitch, participation in the “Affiliate Program” is essential.

To participate in the Affiliate Program, you must meet the following four conditions based on your streaming performance over the last 30 days.

• At least 50 followers
• A total streaming time of at least 8 hours
• At least 7 days of streaming
• An average of at least 3 viewers

The above criteria are set as indicators to check whether you can maintain consistent streaming activities.

In particular, the number of followers and average viewers can be seen as evidence of your relationship with your audience.

For example, if you stream 2-3 times a week for over an hour each time, you can meet the conditions for streaming time and days.

First, focus on the criteria set out and continue to stream, achieving each condition one by one to take the first step towards monetization.

Methods to Earn Revenue Available After Meeting Monetization Conditions

After joining Twitch’s Affiliate Program, you can earn income through the following three methods.

• Cheering
• Subscriptions
• Advertising revenue

Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics and mechanisms of each.

Cheering

One of the ways to earn revenue on Twitch, “Cheering,” is a system where viewers purchase items called “Bits” and send them to the streamer to show their support.

Streamers can earn a set amount of compensation based on the Bits they receive.

Bits appear in the chat as emoticon-laden “Cheer,” which visually expresses the audience’s support, making it an appealing feature.

This method becomes available after you are affiliate certified and is an easy way to take the first step towards monetization on Twitch.

While deepening relationships with viewers, their support translates into revenue.

Subscriptions

Once you become an affiliate on Twitch, you can earn income through subscriptions.

Subscriptions allow viewers to support your channel by paying a fixed monthly fee, with a portion of this payment returned to the streamer as revenue.

There are three tiers of subscription fees, allowing viewers to choose their preferred support method based on their budgets.

Subscribers receive perks such as exclusive stamps and ad-free viewing, which strengthens the connection with fans.

Since you can expect a regular income, this can also serve as motivation to continue your activities.

If you want to earn stable income as a streamer, making use of subscriptions is an important choice.

Advertising Revenue

As an affiliate on Twitch, you can also earn income from advertisements during your streams.

Advertising revenue is generated from video ads that automatically display during or between streams. When viewers watch these ads, streamers receive compensation based on the number of views.

Streamers have some control over the types and timing of ads, allowing them to earn revenue while considering the viewer experience.

Unlike Cheering or subscriptions, this method doesn’t require direct payments from viewers, offering a feature where ongoing revenue can be expected.

To target stable income, adjusting the timing and frequency of ad placements is effective.

Level Up Your Monetization on Twitch! Overview of the Program and Conditions

If you join the “Partner Program” that comes after Twitch’s Affiliate Program, you can further expand the breadth and possibilities of your streaming activities.

Here’s an overview of the Partner Program.

What is the Partner Program?

Twitch’s “Partner Program” is a higher-level system than the Affiliate Program, allowing for more advanced monetization.

Participants can gain numerous benefits, including exclusive badges, custom stamps, and improved revenue sharing ratios for ads.

In addition, the support system for video streaming is more robust, creating an environment that supports more serious activities.

The Partner Program operates on an application basis, requiring an invitation from Twitch. When a streamer achieves a certain level of success and connections with their audience, the path to partnership opens up.

For those who wish to continue stable activities long-term, this is a system worth striving for.

Prerequisites for the Partner Program: “Path to Partnership”

To aim for Twitch partnership, you must first meet the conditions known as the “Path to Partnership.”

The achievement criteria are as follows:

• At least 25 hours of streaming within 30 days
• At least 12 days of streaming
• An average of at least 75 viewers

Once these conditions are met, you will see an “Achievement” indicator on Twitch, but that does not automatically qualify you for partnership.

Twitch evaluates the consistency of your streaming content and your relationship with the community, which is how invitations are ultimately issued.

Unlike the Affiliate Program, the hurdles for examination are higher; however, it is a challenge worth taking if you’re aiming for stable monetization.

Conditions for Joining the Partner Program

To participate in the Twitch Partner Program, you must meet the four criteria established by Twitch.

• You must have achieved the “Path to Partnership” achievement
• Your streaming content must comply with guidelines and regulations
• You must maintain the standards consistently
• Having significant influence on other platforms may also be a requirement

Additionally, temporary spikes in viewers due to rebroadcasts, etc., are not counted during the examination.

Once you meet the achievement criterion, the application button will become active, and your application will be prioritized for review; however, achieving the criteria is merely the minimum requirement for application.

A stable activity and building trust with your viewers will ultimately lead to partner approval.

Benefits of the Partner Program

By participating in the Twitch Partner Program, you unlock features and benefits not available to affiliates, broadening your streaming options.

Major benefits include the following:

• Increased ad revenue sharing ratios, leading to more stable income
• Increased custom stamp options for subscriptions
• Extended archive storage duration for streams
• Improved streaming quality due to higher bitrate caps and prioritized transcoding
• Enhanced support system from Twitch, increasing the reliability of your activities

By leveraging these benefits, you can deliver more engaging streams to a wider audience.

Steps to Start Monetization on Twitch

To start monetization on Twitch, you need to follow the application and various registration steps after becoming an affiliate.

1. Achieve the affiliate conditions
2. Receive the invitation email
3. Register payment information
4. Agree to the “Twitch Monetization Streamer Agreement”
5. Fill out the tax-related interview
6. Set up a payment method

Let’s go through each step one by one.

STEP 1 | Achieve the Affiliate Conditions

The first step to starting monetization on Twitch is to meet all the affiliate conditions.

You need to achieve the following four conditions within the last 30 days.

• At least 50 followers
• At least 7 days of streaming
• A total streaming time of at least 8 hours
• An average of at least 3 viewers

You can check your achievement status by referring to the “Achievements” section on your dashboard, where you can view the status of each item.

By clearing these conditions, you will become eligible for an invitation to the affiliate program, allowing you to officially monetize.

Start by deepening your relationship with your viewers during each stream while regularly checking your achievement status.

If you’d like to stream on Twitch using OBS, check out “How to Stream on Twitch with OBS: A Complete Guide from Connection to Streaming!“

STEP 2 | Receive the Invitation Email

Once you meet all the affiliate conditions, you will receive an invitation email from Twitch regarding monetization.

The invitation email will be sent to your registered email address and will provide instructions to start the affiliate registration process.

However, even if you meet the conditions, it may take a few days for the email to arrive, so be cautious.

Additionally, emails can sometimes end up in spam folders, so be sure to check frequently.

To facilitate a smooth monetization process, it is important to continue your activities while waiting for the guidance to arrive.

STEP 3 | Register Payment Information

To proceed with Twitch’s affiliate registration, you need to set up your payment information.

You can start the process using the link in the invitation email or from the Twitch dashboard.

The first step is to register basic information such as your name, address, and contact information.

To ensure you receive your affiliate compensation, make sure to enter your registration details correctly and carefully.

STEP 4 | Agree to the “Twitch Monetization Streamer Agreement”

A crucial step in progressing with affiliate registration is agreeing to the “Twitch Monetization Streamer Agreement.”

This contract outlines the terms for monetization; after reviewing the content, you can complete the process by clicking “Agree.”

The agreement stipulates conditions for revenue payments and obligations for streamers. Note that if a streamer is under 18, parental consent is also required.

As the content is significant regarding monetization, it’s essential to review everything carefully and proceed with caution.

STEP 5 | Fill Out the Tax Interview

To monetize your Twitch streams, it is necessary to fill out a tax-related interview.

This process involves registering two types of information regarding withholding tax and service tax.

Specifically, you will need to provide information regarding treaties with the U.S., your country of residence, and your individual identification number.

Accurate entries are crucial, as these details affect tax rates and deductions applicable to your income.

Depending on your submissions, it’s possible that the withholding tax amount may be reduced or waived.

STEP 6 | Set Up Payment Method

The final step in your affiliate registration is setting up how you will receive your earnings.

Select how you would like to receive your payments and enter details such as your bank account.

While methods such as international wire transfers or checks are options, bank transfers to accounts are common among Japanese streamers.

Be careful with entering account names and numbers, as errors can delay payments.

As this is an important step for ensuring you receive income, double-checking your entries is vital.

Key Points to Achieve Monetization Conditions on Twitch

To aim for monetization on Twitch, increasing followers and average viewers is essential.

Here are five key points to consider for achieving monetization criteria on Twitch.

Be Mindful of Streaming Frequency and Duration

To aim for monetization on Twitch, it’s effective to innovate your streaming frequency and duration.

To retain viewers, ideally, you should stream daily.

By establishing a regular streaming time, you can facilitate habitual viewing for returning audiences. For example, deciding to stream every weekday at 8 PM may make it easier for viewers to remember you.

By stabilizing your streaming frequency and times, you can expect improvements in follower and average viewer numbers.

Continuous effort is crucial in achieving monetization conditions.

Engage on Social Media

If you’re aiming for monetization on Twitch, it’s essential to increase touchpoints with your audience outside of streaming.

Engaging on social media is especially effective for attracting new viewers. By posting streaming schedules, highlight videos, and daily updates, interested users are more likely to check out your Twitch channel.

Utilizing multiple platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok can be beneficial.

By effectively linking social media with Twitch, you deepen your relationship with viewers, helping to grow your follower base and average viewers.

Decide on a Streaming Genre

To aim for monetization on Twitch, it’s important to clearly define your streaming genre.

Viewers will follow based on what they can expect from your streams, so streams without an established theme are likely to lead to drop-offs.

Narrowing your genre to game commentary, chatting, or ASMR will likely attract more interest from listeners.

Consistent content can also enhance awareness, boosting follower and viewer numbers over time.

Start by choosing one genre that you excel in, and consistently communicate about it for a quicker path to monetization.

Foster Two-Way Communication

To grow your viewership on Twitch, it’s important to actively respond to comments during your streams and to enjoy the interactions.

Responding to listener comments in real-time creates a two-way interaction, preventing the viewing experience from becoming one-dimensional.

Engaging and lively streams feel more inviting, leading to more regular and new followers.

To meet monetization conditions, it’s essential to not only stream but also focus on dialogue with your listeners. By continually nurturing relationships, you can expect an increase in viewership.

If you are streaming with OBS, being able to see Twitch comments on OBS can help facilitate two-way communication.

Methods for viewing Twitch comments on OBS are explained in “4 Ways to Display Comments in OBS – A Must-See for Twitch Streamers,” so be sure to check that out as well.

Incorporate Collaborations with Other Streamers

In pursuing monetization on Twitch, incorporating collaborations with other streamers can be effective as well.

During collaborative streams, there is a higher likelihood that each streamer’s followers will watch, leading to potential viewer inflow.

Collaborating with streamers whose genres and vibes align closely can also help in retaining listeners. Moreover, such collaborations can spark new ideas and broaden the range of streams.

Achieving monetization conditions requires improving follower count and average viewers, making shared experiences through interactions a highly effective strategy.

Is It Impossible to Earn on Twitch? Conditions for Those Who Can Monetize

To earn seriously on Twitch, you need not only to understand the monetization mechanisms but also to adopt suitable mindsets and behaviors.

Here are three conditions that commonly apply to those who can achieve monetization on Twitch.

Understand and Leverage Your Strengths

To aim for monetization on Twitch, you need to understand your strengths and possess the ability to present them as appealing.

Analyzing what draws viewers—whether it’s your streaming genre, playstyle, speaking manner, or voice—is crucial.

For instance, unique rhythms in casual conversation or entertaining reactions can leave lasting impressions on viewers.

Being aware of your unique appeal and consistently communicating that can serve as the foundation for monetization success.

Leverage the value that only you can provide through your streams.

Care for Viewer Relationships While Keeping an Eye on the Numbers

Aiming for monetization on Twitch requires balancing a focus on affiliate conditions and view counts while also valuing relationships with your audience.

For example, responding promptly to comments and acknowledging regular listeners can create a more welcoming atmosphere.

Additionally, reading the mood of the audience is important. Recognizing topics and tones that resonate and remaining cohesive helps facilitate viewer engagement, leading to repeat viewership and follows.

Streamers who balance the numbers with the fostering of trust with listeners can look forward to stable monetization.

Ability to Sustain Consistent Efforts

To aim for stable monetization on Twitch, you need the ability to persist with behind-the-scenes efforts that may not be visible.

Planning streams, creating thumbnails, and managing announcements as well as posts on social media all directly tie into results.

While the preparations outside of streaming may not be glamorous, they are vital in increasing opportunities for viewer exposure.

Monetization relies on a continuous effort that accumulates over time; thus, focusing on daily progress rather than extravagance is a promising path to success.

Conclusion

Monetizing on Twitch starts with meeting affiliate conditions, followed by utilizing methods such as Cheering, subscriptions, and advertising revenue.

Moreover, participation in the Partner Program can widen the scope of both income and functionality.

Achieving success in monetization requires consistent streaming and building trust with viewers, and focusing on consistency in content, social media outreach, and collaboration can also be effective.

Using this article as a reference, take your first step towards monetization on Twitch!

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