If you are going to start streaming, then one of the main questions you’ll have to face is where to stream? The answer may decide the next few years of your life. But how to make the right choice? What are the benefits and drawbacks of Twitch and YouTube? Let's sort it out together.
Before we move on to the main topic, let's answer this question: why not launch broadcasts on both platforms? First of all, YouTube and Twitch discourage broadcasting on other platforms, and for partners they even directly prohibit from doing that. At some point, you’ll have to make your choice anyway. Secondly, your viewers will not feel themselves as part of the community if they see that you are streaming on multiple platforms. They will perceive themselves as mere numbers in statistics and this will undermine their trust. They might be afraid to buy a subscription and integrate deeper into the community, since at any time you can leave, choosing a platform with higher figures.
Now let's take a closer look at the main parameters important for streamers and compare them for each platform. Let's go over pros and cons, as well as the features of both platforms. So that you can make a choice you won’t regret.
Twitch or YouTube, where promotion is easier?
When you start streaming on Twitch, you fall to the very bottom of the platform, and there are thousands of streamers listed next to you who have zero to a couple of viewers. Your potential audience is more likely to click on the channel that appears at the top of the page, rather than scrolling it endlessly. Twitch practically doesn’t help newcomers to make a name, so this task falls solely on your shoulders.
In contrast, YouTube is pretty much fond of new creators and its algorithms help promoting such. Your broadcasts will appear in users’ recommendations, so you’re guaranteed your clicks, and all that remains is to keep the curious people.
Audience
Twitch users know exactly why they’re on the platform and what they are looking for. This is the very place that accumulates gamers and fans of chatting on IRL streams.
While YouTube specializes in video hosting and although the number of users is definitely higher, not all of them are the target audience.
Content types
All you can do on Twitch is launch a broadcast and stream. And then hope that you’ll get noticed.
On YouTube, in addition to streaming, you can upload videos and Shorts. By creating all types of content, you will reach larger audience, more people will know about you and accordingly, more people will visit your stream.
Monetization
There are many ways to monetize your activities on Twitch. We will skip such things as collecting donations and integrated ads, because both platforms have them. But Twitch certainly boasts its unique ideas. Sub Badges, Sub Streaks, Hype Trains, Bits, Sub Goals - they literally scream GIVE MONEY. Supporting a streamer on Twitch is fun and exciting because the process is gamified.
YouTube monetization policy is way more modest, until recently streamers could only collect donations through third-party resources, but now paid subscriptions and "Super Thanks" have appeared too. But honestly they look boring, so you have to rely on the will of the audience or come up with your own ways to reward subscribers.
Social networks integrations
The purple giant is inferior to its competitor in terms of SN integrations. There are panels with links to other resources, but they are not often clicked on. It is difficult to bring your Twitch audience to another social network. So if you want to represent your personal brand on other resources, this option may not be for you. Poor audience conversion also works the other way around. If you ask people to follow the link to your Twitch channel in your YouTube videos, it will work less effectively.
YouTube has tons of great social media integration tools. They function as if in a single bubble. YouTube allows you to conveniently insert quick links into a video, which will lead to the desired content without unnecessary redirects or it will automatically switch to another work of yours. If you want to create different types of content, be present on several major resources, and cover more than one niche - YouTube is better for you.
Freedom of Speech
Twitch's policy regarding bans is completely opaque. Often, people who get banned don't even know why it happened. Moreover, the rules vary from region to region. There is no list of banned words anywhere, although everyone knows that you can get banned for just one unfortunate word, regardless of its context. So here, you have to be very careful about what you listen to and what you do.
As for YouTube, it is much more lenient when it comes to behavior, albeit not always acceptable, during streams. Streamers and content creators receive letters explaining why they received strikes. Therefore, you can feel much freer on this platform. However, it's not without its limitations on monetization. So behave well, wherever you are
So what to choose after all?
If you want to devote yourself to creating different types of content: cut videos, Shorts, game formats and IRL, then YouTube is just right for you.
If you want to concentrate on live broadcasts only, if your life is a game, if you want to surround yourself with a community that is crazy about games. Also if you want to have a strong connection with your audience, then Twitch is your platform.
And remember: no matter what you choose, there is no easy way. Succeeding on both platforms takes hard work, and there will be pitfalls and difficulties. The main thing is not to give up, follow your dream and enjoy the process.
