Where to Stream
Where to stream
Now that you have planned your stream, you’ve set up your equipment, and you are ready to go live, you have one more decision to make and that is where to stream. In 2022, there is no shortage of streaming platforms and the choice is a personal one. For the purposes of this article, we will look at what I consider to be the 3 titans of live-streaming, Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming.
Throughout my journey, I have streamed on multiple platforms before choosing Twitch. As many others, I started on Twitch, but my growth was slow, so I thought changing platforms might help. I tried Facebook Gaming and then moved over to Mixer until I eventually made my way back to Twitch just before mixer announced they were shutting down operations. I did stream on YouTube, but it was not long enough to give it a fair assessment. I often debate whether I should stream on YouTube, especially with all the recent changes they have made, but for now, my home is on Twitch. To help you make the decision that is best for you, let’s take a look at all three in a bit more detail.
Twitch
If you hear someone talk about video game streaming, your first thought is probably Twitch. It attracts the biggest live-streaming audience which allows you to potentially reach a larger number of people. The platform is very easy to use, and you can stream directly from your PC, console, or mobile device. Monetization on Twitch allows affiliates and partners, a multitude of ways to make money which include, bits, subscriptions, direct donations, and ad revenue. To reach monetization there are two levels. First is affiliate which requires 3 concurrent viewers, fifty followers, 500 total minutes broadcast, and seven unique streams in a 30-day period. To reach partner status you need, 75 concurrent viewers, and stream at least 12 different times for at least 25 hours in a 30-day period. Of course, they also look at other factors, but those are the statistical requirements. The benefits don’t end there, as they offer great tools to help keep your audience engaged such as channel point rewards, extensions, and a twitch soundtrack to play DMCA-free music, and the prime gaming subscription individuals get for being a prime member on Amazon.
Much like everything else, nothing is perfect, and it should come as no surprise that Twitch also has its share of flaws. While the opportunity of reaching a wide audience is possible, we must remember that the platform also has millions of streamers competing for viewer attention. It’s a great time to mention that discoverability on Twitch is slim to none, so you have to find a way to stand out and bring in viewers to your live stream, a topic we will explore in future articles. Finally, we can’t forget Twitch’s moderation and the fact that they have made some questionable decisions with respect to banning streamers and dealing with controversy on the platform.
Facebook Gaming
Facebook Gaming is the social media giant’s game streaming service. It integrates itself directly into the video component of Facebook, meaning your stream can appear directly in people’s feeds. Despite this, the gaming audience for live streams is relatively small which can be both a blessing and a curse. The majority of people are not on Facebook to view live streams so if they do happen to appear in their feeds, most are quickly scrolling past them. So although Facebook has a large audience a very small percentage will click your stream. There are fewer potential viewers to reach, but there is also less competition. Something that I’ve always felt uncomfortable with when viewing live streams on the platform is that viewers can’t choose nicknames to be shown in chat and instead use first and last names. This can lead to lower engagement as not everyone is comfortable using their real names.
Facebook does offer monetization options for those who are eligible to join their level-up program, in the form of stars, ad revenue, and paid subscriptions. To join the level-up program, you must create a gaming video creator page that is active for 14 days and an admin who is 18 or older. You must have 100 followers and stream gaming content for at least 4 hours across 2 of the preceding 14 days. An advantage Facebook has is its creator studio, which allows you to edit content and share it on pages you manage replicating it to multiple locations at once and helping with getting eyes on your content and discoverability.
YouTube
YouTube is best known for its video hosting capabilities, but they also offer live-streaming. The live-streaming feature is not specifically aimed at gamers as all content creators on the platform can use it to connect with their audience. YouTube streaming is easiest if you already have an established audience from your pre-made videos.
YouTube has over 1.9 billion active users each month, so taking advantage of its streaming platform and pre-made video content can have several benefits for users. The potential to reach a wide audience is a huge advantage for streamers. As you post your live streams, videos, and shorts you can maximize your reach. Utilizing YouTube’s platform to its full potential allows you to have all your content in one place. You’ll want to do some research regarding copyrights as navigating YouTube long-term can be difficult, and you certainly want to avoid any copyright issues and demonetization of your content. It is also important to note YouTube’s age restriction policy, as they can deem content not acceptable for ad revenue and demonetize your video based on content.
In terms of monetization, YouTube has been quite selective about who they let into their partner program. Currently, before you can apply, you must have 1000 subscribers, and 4000 watch hours within 12 months and agree to follow their rules and terms of service. Streamers once partnered with YouTube can earn through ad revenue, super chat, and newly introduced paid and gifted memberships.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a platform is not an easy choice as the possibilities are endless, and each one has its own pros and cons. At first glance, it is easy to see why so many including myself choose Twitch, but in some cases, another platform may be a better fit. You have to weigh out and assess what is most important to you when starting out. Is it less competition, having more monetization options, or maybe it’s having a one-stop shop for all your content? Whatever the reason make the decision for yourself.
As a side note, if you are just starting out, it is worth noting that you can choose to stream to multiple platforms simultaneously, using a service like Restream. This will allow you to reach multiple audiences at once and if you find success on a particular platform you can choose to focus on that one. Remember, the decision doesn’t have to be a permanent one, you can change platforms and although it does come with its own set of challenges, it is not impossible to do. I hope this article gave you some insight into the big three streaming platforms and remember that there is no right or wrong answer, do what’s right for you.
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