Twitch is finally catching up with the trend by introducing Stories and a feed to discover new streamers. Surprisingly, LinkedIn beat Twitch to the punch by implementing Stories first. Twitch recently announced that its users will soon be able to create and share Stories, following in the footsteps of Instagram and Snapchat. The launch of Stories is scheduled for later this year, specifically in October, and they will be featured on the Following page of the Twitch mobile app. Of course, Stories will need to adhere to Twitch’s Community Guidelines and automated safety systems. Additionally, content creators will have the option to limit the visibility of their Stories to their followers only.
Stories is just one of the several features announced by Twitch. Another notable addition is the Discovery Feed, which will make it easier for creators to expand their audience reach, even when they are not actively streaming. This feature, similar to Stories, will be available on the Twitch mobile app and will include both live and recorded content.
Twitch explained its reasoning behind these new features, stating that it wants viewers to spend more time engaging with live, interactive channels rather than endlessly scrolling through Clips. However, the company acknowledges the importance of Clips in helping viewers discover new channels and communities. Twitch plans to test the Discovery Feed on a limited scale before making it available to all users in late 2023. In addition, Twitch is working on enhancing its built-in clip editor, allowing creators to export vertical videos directly to TikTok, catering to the popular short-form video platform.
Furthermore, Twitch is giving creators more control over ad breaks during their streams. A chat countdown timer will indicate when an ad is about to play, enabling streamers to delay ads if they would interrupt exciting gameplay or community interactions. This update comes after Twitch faced backlash for proposing an ad policy that would have restricted certain branded content within streams. The company later reversed this decision.
In summary, Twitch is catching up with popular social media trends by introducing Stories and a Discovery Feed. It aims to prioritize live, interactive channels while still offering tools for viewers to discover new content. Twitch is also focusing on improving the user experience for creators, including better ad control and enhanced clip editing features.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about streamers
Q: What is Twitch adding with the introduction of Stories and a Discovery Feed?
A: Twitch is adding Stories, allowing users to record and share ephemeral content, and a Discovery Feed to help streamers grow their audiences by showcasing live and recorded content.
Q: When will Twitch roll out Stories and the Discovery Feed?
A: Twitch plans to launch Stories later this year, specifically in October. The Discovery Feed will undergo limited testing before being made available to the broader Twitch user base in late 2023.
Q: Where will Stories be featured on the Twitch mobile app?
A: Stories will be accessible on the Following page of the Twitch mobile app, giving users a convenient way to view and engage with this new form of content.
Q: Can creators control the visibility of their Stories?
A: Yes, creators will have the option to limit the visibility of their Stories to only those who follow them, providing them with control over who can view their ephemeral content.
Q: How will the Discovery Feed benefit creators?
A: The Discovery Feed will make it easier for creators to expand their audiences even when they are not actively streaming. It will showcase both live and recorded content, allowing viewers to discover new channels and engage with a variety of content creators.
Q: What other features is Twitch working on?
A: Twitch is also working on improving the platform’s built-in clip editor, enabling creators to export vertical videos directly to TikTok. Additionally, Twitch is giving creators more control over ad breaks during their streams, with a countdown timer to indicate when an ad will play, allowing streamers to delay ads when necessary.
