In a recent blog post, Twitch announced that it will be rolling out a new and more flexible ads incentive program in April 2023. This program is aimed at providing more options for streamers to monetize their content, while also providing advertisers with more flexibility in how they reach their target audience.
One of the key changes in the new program is that streamers will be able to choose when to run ads during their stream. This means that they can now schedule ads during times when they expect viewership to be lower, or they can choose to run ads during breaks or other designated times.
In addition to this, Twitch is also introducing new ad formats, such as picture-in-picture ads, which will allow streamers to continue streaming while an ad is running in a smaller window on their screen. This format is designed to be less intrusive and more user-friendly, as it will not interrupt the viewer’s experience of the stream.
Another important change in the new program is that streamers will now have more control over the frequency and duration of ads. They will be able to set limits on the number of ads that can be run per hour, and the length of each ad. This will help to ensure that the ads are not too frequent or too long, which can be off-putting for viewers.
Finally, Twitch is also making changes to how it rewards streamers for running ads. In the new program, streamers will earn rewards based on the number of ads that are run, rather than the number of viewers who see the ads. This means that even if a streamer has a small but engaged audience, they can still earn rewards for running ads.
Overall, the new ads incentive program from Twitch is a positive development for both streamers and advertisers. It provides more flexibility and options for streamers to monetize their content, while also ensuring that viewers are not bombarded with ads that interrupt their viewing experience. As Twitch continues to grow and evolve, it is likely that we will see more changes like this that benefit all stakeholders in the ecosystem.
Twitch’s new ads incentive program also addresses some of the concerns that have been raised by streamers and viewers in the past. For example, streamers have often complained that running ads can cause a dip in viewership, as viewers may be tempted to leave during the ad break. With the new program, streamers can schedule ads at times when viewership is expected to be lower, which should help to mitigate this issue.
Meanwhile, viewers have often expressed frustration with ads that are too long, too frequent, or too intrusive. With the new program, streamers have more control over the frequency and duration of ads, and the new picture-in-picture format should also make ads less obtrusive.
At the same time, the new ads incentive program is likely to be attractive to advertisers, as it provides them with more flexibility in how they reach their target audience. By allowing streamers to choose when to run ads and how frequently to run them, advertisers can now tailor their campaigns to specific audiences and time slots, which should help to increase the effectiveness of their ads.
Overall, Twitch’s new ads incentive program is a win-win for everyone involved. Streamers will have more control over how they monetize their content, viewers will enjoy a less intrusive ad experience, and advertisers will have more flexibility in how they reach their target audience. As Twitch continues to grow and evolve, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact the platform and the broader streaming ecosystem.