Twitch has exploded into one of the most popular live-streaming platforms, with over 35 million daily users.
For the top-tier Twitch streamers who amass millions of views, Twitch is extremely lucrative. But it’s also possible for smaller streamers to generate an income on Twitch. But it requires dedication, consistency and a considered strategy.
Our article provides some of the different methods that will help you earn an income as a smaller streamer on Twitch. And let’s not forget, even Twitch favorite PewDiePie had to start somewhere.
So let’s take a deep breath and dive into the different methods for harnessing Twitch’s built-in revenue generators, as well as external monetization opportunities.
So get those subscriber badges ready and let’s go!
Table of contents
Can I become a Twitch affiliate?
Firstly, what is a Twitch Affiliate? It’s a member of the Twitch Affiliate Program, a built-in monetization opportunity that is often the first step towards earning money through Twitch.
And yes, you can become a Twitch affiliate, but there are a few requirements.
Here are the four essential components:
You’ll need a minimum of 50 followers
You will need to have broadcast for at least 500 minutes in the last 30 day
You’ll need to have streamed on at least 7 different days
Averaged at least 3 concurrent viewers per stream
As you can see, the requirements are a relatively small barrier to entry. Of course, if you love what you do, then 500 minutes spread out over a month should be no biggie.
Gaining your first 50 followers is a tad more difficult, but again, extremely doable. If you need a few tips, check out this Marketing Tips for Streamers article.
Once you are part of the Twitch Affiliate program, you gain access to Twitch's monetization features. Read on for a breakdown.
Twitch Affiliate Program - Here’s how it works:
Gain paying subscribers
Viewers can subscribe to your channel for a monthly fee - at the time of writing, these prices range from the default plan of $4.99 rising in increments up to $24.99. The subscription revenue is collected by Twitch, and Twitch Affiliates earn a portion of the fee. The shared portion increases as your channel grows, but is usually set around 50/50.
Bits and Cheers
Twitch users can purchase Bits and use them to "cheer" for streamers during live streams. Each Bit is worth about $0.01 to the streamer, and accumulating enough cheers can lead to a steady stream of income.
Ad Revenue
Members of the Twitch Affiliate Program can earn money by running ads during their streams. The payout depends on the number of viewers and ad impressions. While ad revenue isn’t substantial for smaller streamers, it becomes more effective as your audience grows.
Once you’re part of the Twitch Affiliate Program, there are a range of ways to make the most of the benefits and start earning an income on Twitch.
1 - Grow your views through engagement
Bring people to your party. Involve them. Follower engagement is one of the most critical factors in earning money on Twitch. In a twist of lucky fate, the smaller the following, the more time you can spend engaging with your followers. Makes sense, right?
If you have 10 followers, and three regularly check in with you, that’s a healthy ratio of quality time with you.
So how might you engage your followers and boost your growing community?
Here’s how the best do it:
Get chatty - Ask questions, acknowledge your viewers, respond to messages with considered answers, and gauge your audience’s mood.
Discord and other socials - Set up automation to keep your community engaged outside of Twitch. Check out the tools that will message followers to let them know how you use that platform.
Keep it consistent - A predictable streaming pattern helps people show up for your part.
Offer Rewards - Why not offer exclusive content, shoutouts, or in-game perks to your subscribed followers and top supporters? Followers will be more motivated to engage with your account and help you earn an income on Twitch.
2 - Diversify YOUR channels
Relying solely on the monetization features in the Twitch Affiliate Program may not be enough for smaller streamers. Here are additional ways to earn income:
Donations & Crowdfunding
Platforms like PayPal, Streamlabs, and Ko-fi allow viewers to send direct donations. Setting up donation alerts can encourage more contributions during streams.
Sponsorships & Brand Deals
Even small streamers can attract sponsorships, especially if they have a niche audience. Brands often look for influencers who align with their products, so reaching out to companies related to gaming, tech, or your content niche can be beneficial.
Affiliate Marketing
Signing up for affiliate programs lets you earn a commission when viewers purchase products through your referral links. Some popular affiliate programs for Twitch streamers include:
Amazon Associates
Razer Affiliate Program
Logitech G Partners
Gaming gear & PC hardware affiliate programs
YouTube Content & Repurposing Streams
Uploading stream highlights or full VODs to YouTube can provide an additional source of ad revenue. YouTube also offers monetization through memberships and Super Chats.
Merchandise Sales
Platforms like Teespring, StreamElements, and Redbubble allow you to create and sell branded merchandise. Even if you’re a small streamer, offering cool designs can generate extra income.
Use Social Media to Promote Your Streams
Platforms like X (FKA Twitter), TikTok, Instagram, and Discord can help drive traffic to your Twitch channel. Posting highlights, funny moments, or behind-the-scenes content can attract new followers.
3 - Grow your audience strategically
The more viewers you attract, the more money you can make. Here are some key strategies for growth:
Stream games with growth potential
Popular games can be oversaturated with big streamers, making it difficult for new creators to stand out. Instead, find trending or niche games with active communities but with lower competition. Check out this list of the top 20 games streamed on Twitch right now.
Collaborate with other streamers
Networking with other small streamers can help you gain exposure to new audiences. Try:
Hosting or raiding other channels
Co-streaming multiplayer games
Shoutouts and mutual support
Optimize your Twitch profile
Make sure your Twitch profile is appealing with:
A professional banner and profile picture (can use a custom AI stream art generator)
A catchy stream title and category tags
A well-written bio with links to your social media and donation pages
4 - Maintain consistency & patience
Growing and earning on Twitch takes time. Many small streamers initially struggle, but eventually see growth through consistency and dedication. Here are a few final tips:
Stick to a regular streaming schedule; consistency helps your followers predict when to check in.
Keep going! You may at times be streaming to no one, at least in the beginning, but persistence will win the day. Provided you’re enjoying what you are doing and you interact with your small but growing group of followers - they will, in time, support you!
Conclusion
Earning an income on Twitch as a small streamer is possible with the right approach. You can start generating revenue by becoming a Twitch Affiliate, engaging viewers, diversifying income streams, and actively growing your audience.
While success won’t happen overnight, persistence and a little strategy will help you turn your passion into a sustainable income source over time.
Collabs can be hugely helpful, sharing ideas and learning from successful streamers firsthand can help fill gaps in knowledge and expand your circle of influence.
Make sure to enjoy what you are learning and doing. It’s a journey, like any other.
Appendix: Top 10 Games streamed on Twitch
As of February 2025, the top games on Twitch, based on average weekly hours watched, are:
Escape from Tarkov: 22.2 million hours
Set in the fictional Russian state of Norvinsk, players participate in raids that take place between two private military companies. Typically played by older players (25+) who appreciate the relatively slow pace of the game and sense of progression.
Grand Theft Auto V: 17.9 million hours
This historic parody of America is popular for its diversity, which allows players to drive, fly, sail, shoot, and much more. The world of GTA offers endless missions that keep users entertained.
League of Legends: 17.5 million hours
Yet another game that has been established for years, but retains a widespread popularity because it was free to play, and could be played by people on lower-end computers. Its diverse range of fantasy characters that fight in teams is a frequent feature of Esports games that attract worldwide attention.
Valorant: 15.3 million hours
This is a tactical shooter game, produced by the games company behemoth, Riot - also the producer of League of Legends. It features a range of ‘agents’ that have different weapons for attacking or defending a base.
Counter-Strike 2 & GO: 12.4 million hours
Counterstrike is perhaps one of the oldest games on the list, established in 2000. It was an instant hit and has remained so because it’s a shooter game, not just enjoyed by players but viewers, too, because of its slower pace.
Fortnite: 10.8 million hours
This is a popular video game amongst younger and casual gamers. It’s known for its bold colours and its affiliation with pop culture, with many of the game characters taking the form of well-known celebrities or cartoons.
Minecraft: 9.6 million hours
The internet’s answer to Legos. Users can extract raw materials from the earth and then create their own structures.
Dota 2: 8.7 million hours
Dota is short for Defense of the Ancients, where players pick different heroes they use to compete in teams.
World of Warcraft: 7.9 million hours
This is an open game world, where players explore the terrain and complete quests with non-player characters or other players who are online. With time and effort, players can make their characters more powerful to take on bigger quests.
Apex Legends: 7.3 million hours
Apex Legends is also a shooter game where players form two- or three-player squads that compete against other squads to find weapons and resources to defeat their competing squads.