Difference Between Twitch Affiliate and Partner – Things to Know

So, you’ve joined Twitch, found the perfect niche and a game you like and gained some followers. You’re far from being a top shot on Twitch, but at least things are moving. Now, apart from the passion of doing it, how about monetizing your work?

Twitch gives streamers access to more programs and statuses to make money out of their work. Most importantly, you’ll have access to the Twitch Affiliate program, as well as the Twitch Partner program.

Which one is the best? Here’s everything you need to know, as well as the differences between Twitch Affiliate and Partner.

Things That Make Twitch Affiliate More Popular

Twitch Affiliate is easy to access. Requirements are crystal clear too, so there’s no room for misinterpretation. You need a particular number of followers or hours of streaming and so on. Meet these numbers and you’ll be fine. Also, the process is straightforward and Twitch will notify you once you qualify.

You can also use services like View Botter and get people-like robots to be drip fed into your streams. It helps reaching those numbers, but it also helps you pop up in the search function, so you’ll gain more organic traffic as well.

When it comes to money, you’ll be able to monetize your work through different subscriptions, but also through bits. There’s also the opportunity to get ads. However, compared to Twitch Partner, the Affiliate program pays less for ad revenue. But for many streamers, these features provide a good starting point to earn from their content.

There are some limitations in terms of transcodes as well. Transcodes can optimize the quality of your video based on the viewers’ equipment. However, it’s limited. As for VODs (Videos on Demand), they’re stored for a couple of weeks.

Things That Make Twitch Partner More Popular

While Twitch Affiliate does have its benefits, Twitch Partner is often better, especially for certain categories of streamers. To understand why, you’ll have to figure out the difference between Twitch Affiliate and Partner.

From this point of view, it’s worth noting that Twitch Partner is more exclusive. You can’t just meet a few requirements and get accepted straight away. Instead, you need to come up with a thorough application. You need to commit yourself to your growth, work on your views and followers, and really need to prove that your channel stands out from the crowd.

Besides, consistency is just as important. Twitch looks for streamers who are reliable, who show up regularly, and who engage with their audience day in and day out.

This isn’t just about streaming often, it’s about making each session meaningful, building a community and showing that you’re in it for the long haul.

The Affiliate program tends to invite you to join once you meet the requirements. You don’t even have to pay attention to it. The Partner program won’t invite you whatsoever. You’ll have to apply yourself. And even if you meet certain requirements, you can still get rejected.

In other words, Twitch Partner is stricter than Twitch Affiliate.

Benefits can’t be overlooked either. That’s another big difference between Twitch Affiliate and Partner. You’ll gain access to transcodes, more storage for VODs, extra sponsorships and partnerships, as well as more emotes.

Monetization Options for Affiliates

When it comes to money, your revenue will be significantly higher. Besides, you also have the potential to get custom subscription payouts. Plus, you can negotiate on these things.

On top of these, Twitch Partner users are more visible in discovery functions, as well as in search result pages. They have more opportunities and they can clearly grow even faster once in the program due to the extra exposure.

Affiliate vs Partner: What’s the Real Difference?

The difference between Twitch Affiliate and Partner isn’t all about requirements and applications.

Rewards are just as varied. Some may say the Partner program is a severely upgraded version of the Affiliate program. While they have similar benefits, the ones in the Partner program are dramatically improved. Sure, it’s harder to get in there, but in the long run, it’s totally worth it if you manage to do it.

In conclusion, the difference between Twitch Affiliate and Partner goes in more directions. Generally speaking, joining the Twitch Affiliate program is relatively simple and makes an excellent first step for those who want to get some money for their content, yet rewards are limited in value.

On the other hand, the Twitch Partner program is more significant. It represents a significant upgrade and it’s mainly reserved for streamers who prove themselves over a longer period of time. To join this program, you need to be successful, but also show some commitment.

There are, of course, differences between the two programs, but overall, one of them is a first step and the other one is the ultimate step in monetizing your work.

Final Thoughts: How to Succeed on Twitch

If you’re just starting out and want to dive into the world of Twitch monetization, the affiliate program is the right way for you. You can also explore other online income streams in our article How to Start Making Money Blogging – Tips For Beginners, which is perfect for beginners looking to diversify their earnings.It’s accessible, easy to understand. It gives you something that is worth the idea of how to monetize your content. What do you get? A bunch of perks, several monetization options, and a decent number of views to keep you motivated. It’s the perfect starting point for streamers who are just building a community.

But if you are serious about building a long-term relationship with Twitch, the best solution would be to join the partner program. Keep in mind that it is more difficult to get into. But, on the other hand, the results are worth it. You will get more visibility, better monetization options, and a stronger sense of legitimacy in the Twitch ecosystem. The focus here is not so much on streaming. The main thing is to build your brand, attract an audience, and show Twitch that you are here for the long haul and are serious about it.

Another tip: whether you are aiming for partner or affiliate status, the main thing is to be consistent, stay enthusiastic, and build your strategy. Start small, grow, and eventually you’ll reach a new level. There’s room for everyone on Twitch. However, the path to success requires effort.