[FAQ]

I’m trying to understand how money works on Twitch, and it’s a bit confusing for me. On other video sites, there is often a calculation for how much money you can make from 1000 views from the advertisements. I am looking for a similar number for Twitch.

I am not sure if “views” are the most important thing for revenue here. For example, if I have a stream where 1000 unique people watch for some amount of time, how does that translate to income from Twitch itself, not including things like donations or subscriptions? Is there a standard ad rate for 1000 viewers, or does the system work in a completely different way? I am just trying to understand the basic value of viewership.

[Jeff Bullas]

This is a common point of confusion for those new to the platform.

Short Answer: On Twitch, 1000 views are worth effectively nothing because the platform’s primary revenue models are not based on view counts. Income is generated from subscriptions and direct support, which are driven by the quality of your content and community engagement, not passive viewership.

Let’s examine how Twitch’s revenue-generating content differs fundamentally from traditional video platforms.

First, you must understand that the video ad-revenue system you are describing does not apply here in the same way. The income you receive from pre-roll and mid-roll video ads is based on a variable CPM rate delivered to your live concurrent viewers, and for the vast majority of streamers, it represents a negligible portion of their total earnings. It is not a reliable or significant income stream. Second, the real value is in monetising your broadcast content through direct viewer support. Subscriptions are the primary driver of predictable income, where a viewer pays a recurring fee for access to your content package—the emotes, the ad-free viewing, and the community you build with your on-screen video and audio presence. Finally, supplementary income comes from direct engagement with your content through Bits and donations, which are financial tips from viewers in direct response to a high point in your broadcast. Therefore, your focus should be on the quality of the content that converts a viewer into a paying supporter, not the raw quantity of views.

Cheers,

Jeff

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