Twitch is making big changes in 2025, allowing more streamers to earn money through its platform. In an open letter published on Thursday, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy shared upcoming updates, including improvements to mobile streaming and a major shift in monetisation policy.
One of the biggest changes is that Twitch will now let โmostโ creators access subscriptions and Bits, the platformโs virtual currency viewers use to support streamers. Until now, only Twitch affiliates and partners could earn from these features. To qualify, streamers had to meet specific criteria, such as having at least 50 followers, maintaining an average of three concurrent viewers per stream, and streaming for at least eight hours per week.
By opening these monetisation tools to more streamers, Twitch aims to make it easier for new and smaller creators to generate income while engaging their audience. The company is also rolling out a new feature that will allow all streamers to use their earnings to make purchases within Twitch, though Clancy did not provide further details.
New ways for streamers to collaborate and earn
Twitch is also introducing new ways for streamers to collaborate while generating revenue. One of the upcoming features, โShared Hype Trains,โ will allow streamers who are using the Stream Together or Shared Chat options to join forces in a single Hype Train event. This feature lets viewers support multiple streamers simultaneously, increasing engagement and earnings.
Additionally, Twitch is making it easier for creators to collaborate with brands. A new tool will allow streamers to express interest in brand partnerships, while brands will have better ways to discover new creators to work with. The platform also expands promotional options, allowing streamers to offer discounts and special promotions during events.
These updates reflect Twitchโs ongoing efforts to support its creator community by offering more earning opportunities. As competition among streaming platforms increases, Twitch focuses on making its platform more attractive to new and established creators.
Mobile improvements and content storage updates
In addition to monetisation changes, Twitch is improving the mobile viewing experience. Users will soon have the option to watch videos in either landscape or vertical mode, making it more convenient to watch streams on different devices. A new feature will also let viewers react to specific moments in a stream using Bits, creating more interactive engagement between creators and their audiences.
Twitch is also introducing โPower-ups,โ which allow users to customise their experience during streams. These effects can include adding a colourful border around a message or making an emote appear larger in chat.
The company is also improving its Clips feature, making it easier for streamers to edit and highlight key moments in real time. Automated tools will also help identify the best moments in a stream, simplifying content creation for streamers who want to share highlights with their audience.
These updates come shortly after Twitchโs recent announcement about content storage changes. Starting April 19, the platform will impose a 100-hour cap on stored highlights and uploaded content. This new policy limits how much content users can keep on their channels, potentially affecting creators who rely on older content to attract new viewers.
With these changes, Twitch is positioning itself as a more inclusive platform for creators of all sizes while enhancing its mobile experience and content management tools.