Twitch Affiliate Program

Twitch, the world’s leading live-streaming platform for gamers, creators, and communities, has earned a reputation as a dynamic hub where passion meets opportunity. Founded in 2011 and acquired by Amazon in 2014, Twitch has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, boasting millions of daily active users and fostering a vibrant ecosystem of content creators. At the heart of this ecosystem is the Twitch Affiliate Program, which serves as a crucial stepping stone for streamers aiming to turn their hobby into a sustainable income stream.

Launched in April 2017, the Twitch Affiliate Program provides an accessible entry point for emerging broadcasters to monetize their channels. It also helps creators grow toward the more exclusive Twitch Partner status. Unlike the Partner Program, which caters to established streamers with large audiences, the Affiliate Program is designed to reward talent and dedication, offering up-and-coming creators the chance to earn revenue through subscriptions, Bits, and game sales.

The program is global, available to streamers from around the world, reflecting Twitch’s commitment to empowering its community. Whether you’re a gamer showcasing your skills, an artist engaging with fans, or a talk-show host building a niche audience, the Twitch Affiliate Program provides the tools to turn your passion into profit.

Key Features of the Twitch Affiliate Program

The Affiliate Program’s monetization framework allows qualifying streamers to unlock a range of revenue-generating features:

1. Subscriptions: Affiliates can earn income through tiered viewer subscriptions—$4.99, $9.99, or $24.99 per month. Additionally, Twitch offers Prime subscriptions for Amazon Prime members, which are free for subscribers but still generate revenue for the Affiliate. Subscribers enjoy exclusive perks like custom emotes, with Affiliates receiving one global emote and the potential to unlock more for higher-tier subscribers.
2. Bits: Bits are Twitch's virtual currency, allowing viewers to "Cheer" in chat. When users purchase Bits, they send animated gem emotes (Cheermotes) as a form of support. Affiliates earn 1 cent per Bit cheered in their channel. This keeps engagement seamless—supporters don’t need to leave the platform to contribute.
3. Game Sales and In-Game Purchases: Affiliates can also earn a 5% revenue share from game sales or in-game purchases made through their channel pages. When a game is played on stream, a purchase offer appears below the video player, and viewers who buy the game receive a bonus Twitch Crate for purchases over $4.99.

Additional Benefits for Affiliates

The program is about more than just income; it’s about fostering growth. Affiliates gain access to tools that help build their audience, such as:

1. Priority access to transcoding options (improving stream quality for viewers).
2. A 24-hour exclusivity period for content, ensuring it debuts on Twitch before being shared elsewhere.

Though the Affiliate Program is an important milestone, it also serves as a stepping stone to the Twitch Partner Program, which offers even greater benefits, including higher revenue splits and custom channel features.

As of 2025, there are nearly two million Affiliates compared to just 60,000 Partners, making the program a vital part of the Twitch ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do you join the Twitch Affiliate Program? The process starts by meeting specific eligibility requirements. Once you qualify, Twitch will send you an invitation to join the program. Afterward, you’ll complete onboarding, including tax forms and setting up payment details.
2. What happens if you stop streaming? If you stop streaming for an extended period, you risk losing your Affiliate status. Staying active is crucial to maintain your eligibility.
3. How are payments handled? Payments are processed monthly. Inactivity can lead to the loss of your Affiliate status, and if you close your account with remaining funds, you may incur a $25 maintenance fee.
4. How are taxes handled? Taxes are region-dependent, and Affiliates must comply with their local tax regulations. Twitch provides tools to help track earnings for tax reporting purposes.
5. Can I lose my Affiliate status? Yes, failing to maintain activity levels or not following Twitch’s Community Guidelines can result in the revocation of your Affiliate status.
6. Do I need to stream every day? No, daily streaming isn’t required, but consistent streaming is encouraged to keep your status and grow your audience.
7. How can I track my earnings? Twitch provides detailed earnings reports on the Affiliate Dashboard, which breaks down revenue from subscriptions, Bits, and game sales.

Partner vs. Affiliate: The Distinction

The Affiliate Program is an entry-level opportunity that offers a revenue split of 50/50 with Twitch. In contrast, the Partner Program offers greater perks, like a 70% revenue share (up to $100,000 annually), but it’s exclusive to Partners.

Joining the Twitch Affiliate Program requires meeting a set of clear, achievable milestones designed to ensure streamers are committed and building an audience. These criteria, outlined on Twitch’s Help Portal and verified through additional sources like Restream.io, reflect the platform’s focus on rewarding active creators. To qualify, streamers must hit four key benchmarks within a 30-day period, tracked via the Achievements section of the Twitch Creator Dashboard. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what it takes to get started.

First, you need to stream for at least 500 minutes (approximately 8 hours and 20 minutes) across a 30-day window. This doesn’t mean one marathon session—Twitch looks for consistent effort, so spreading your streams over multiple days works best. For example, streaming for an hour or two a few times a week can easily meet this goal. The idea is to demonstrate that you’re serious about creating content, not just dabbling on a whim. Many successful Affiliates recommend setting a regular schedule to keep yourself accountable and attract returning viewers.

Second, you must stream on at least 7 unique days within that same 30-day period. This requirement reinforces consistency, ensuring you’re not cramming all your streaming into a single week. It’s about building a habit and giving your audience multiple chances to tune in. New streamers often find success by promoting their schedule on social media platforms like X or Discord, letting followers know when to expect them live. This cadence also helps Twitch’s algorithm recognize your channel as active.

Third, you need an average of 3 concurrent viewers across your streams in the 30-day window. This might sound daunting, but it’s more attainable than it seems. “Concurrent” means viewers watching at the same time, so even a small group of friends or early fans can push you over the line. Engaging with your chat, playing popular games, or collaborating with other streamers can boost this number organically. Restream.io notes that connecting with gaming communities on platforms like YouTube or TikTok can also drive initial viewership.

Finally, you must reach 50 followers on your Twitch channel. Unlike subscribers (who pay), followers simply click the “Follow” button to stay updated on your streams—it’s free and low-commitment for viewers. Achieving this often starts with networking: share your channel with friends, post highlights on social media, or join Twitch communities related to your content. The 50-follower mark is a signal to Twitch that you’re building a budding community, even if it’s small.

Once these goals are met, Twitch sends an invitation via email, notification, and your dashboard. The onboarding process then requires four steps: registering payout information (for tax purposes), signing the Monetized Streamer Agreement (or having a guardian sign if you’re under 18), completing royalty and service tax interviews, and selecting a payout method. These steps ensure compliance with legal and financial regulations, which vary by country. For non-U.S. streamers, additional tax forms may apply.

Twitch emphasizes that approval isn’t automatic—final acceptance depends on adherence to its Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. Falling inactive for too long (typically 12 months without streaming) risks losing Affiliate status, so consistency remains key even after joining. With these requirements in hand, aspiring Affiliates can chart a clear path to monetization, turning their streams into a rewarding endeavor.