What is Twitch?

Twitch is an online live streaming platform that primarily focuses on broadcasting video game content, but also includes various other categories like creative content, music, and more. Creators can use it to stream games, music, podcasts, and other exciting content, and viewers can tune into those live streams to catch the action in real time. 

Twitch users who tune in to live streams can interact with streamers through live chat and support them financially with donations or subscriptions. The platform has evolved into a thriving Twitch community where content creators and viewers unite over shared interests and passions.

At any given moment, Twitch typically has around 2.5 million active viewers. In the third quarter of 2022 alone, viewers watched 5.71 billion hours of live streamed content on Twitch. It’s a huge platform with a large potential audience and many opportunities for monetization. 

Why stream on Twitch?

There are many benefits to streaming on Twitch, including to: 

Build community 

Because it’s live and interactive, Twitch provides a unique opportunity to build a dedicated fanbase. Consistent streaming and viewer engagement can help you foster a strong community around your content. The live nature of the two-way interactions on Twitch feel more personal and intimate, and that can forge stronger connections with each individual in your audience. 

Monetize

Twitch is a great place to monetize your passions or hobbies. 

As a streamer, you can earn income through various avenues including donations, subscriptions, sponsorships, and ad revenue—though only 8% of Twitch viewers report making a purchase after seeing an ad on the platform. It’s a great channel for creative entrepreneurs to consider. The best way to monetize is to hone in on a niche, maintain a consistent streaming schedule, and interact with your audience. 

You can also monetize by becoming a Twitch partner or Twitch affiliate. Twitch partners typically have a large audience, stream a variety of content, and offer subscriptions to viewers. Twitch affiliates might not have large audiences, but they make money by referring their small intimate network to sign up for the live streaming service. 

Engage interactively

Live engagement with your audience is one of the quickest and most authentic ways to foster strong relationships. Twitch's live chat functionality allows real-time interaction with your viewers, creating a more engaging and dynamic experience than traditional video uploads.

How to create a Twitch account

If it’s your first time using Twitch, you’ll need to create an account. To get started, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Twitch website

Head over to www.twitch.tv to get started. You’ll see top streams and popular channels on the homepage.

2. Click on "Sign Up"

Look in the upper right corner of the screen and click the purple “Sign Up” button, located next to the gray “Log in” button. 

3. Select a username and password

A pop-up window will appear with a short form for you to enter your desired login credentials. 

First, you’ll be asked to select a username and password. You can customize your username however you see fit, as long as it isn’t taken by someone else already and falls within Twitch’s community guidelines. You can change it later if you want.

Once you enter a username and password, click the purple “Next Step” button. 

4. Set up account Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Now, you’ll set up your account verification. This helps keep your account secure. You can choose to use your phone number or email for two-factor authentication. 

NOTE: Once you set up two-factor authentication, you can set up a Twitch stream key. Your broadcasting software will need this stream key, which essentially gives it permission to stream to your Twitch account. 

Enter the corresponding information and click the purple “Next Step” button again. 

5. Enter your birthdate

As the final account creation step, you’ll be asked to enter your date of birth. That’s because Twitch users must be at least 13, and some content is age-restricted. 

Once you enter your birthday, click the “Sign Up” button. 

6. Verify your account

Twitch will send you an email or text message asking you to verify your account. Follow the instructions provided, and you’ll be good to go!

How to stream on Twitch from a desktop

If you’re using a desktop computer to facilitate your Twitch live streaming, use the following steps to get started: 

1. Choose open broadcaster software (OBS)

To go live on Twitch, you need broadcasting software (a.k.a. open broadcaster software). You can use the platform’s own Twitch Studio or check out third-party options like: 

• OBS Studio: A free, open-source platform for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Streamlabs OBS: A comprehensive software suite for live streaming and monetization.
• XSplit: A live streaming and video-mixing program meant for capturing gameplay for live streaming or video recording purposes.
• Restream Studio: Another comprehensive broadcasting platform with built-in business tools.

Learn: Streaming software: What it is and which ones we recommend

2. Connect your Twitch account

Once you’ve installed your broadcasting software, connect it to your Twitch account. Each platform has its own process to accomplish that.

3. Configure stream settings

Your stream settings dictate how you present yourself. Customize your settings according to the following guidelines:

• Stream resolution (1080p is recommended).
• Frame rate (50fps–60fps is recommended).
• Keyframe interval (2 seconds is recommended).
• Bitrate (3,000 Kbps–6,000 Kbps is recommended).
• Audio bitrate (up to 160 Kbps is recommended).
• Encoding (opt for CPU encoding like NVIDIA NVENC instead of x264).
• Captions.
• Screen overlays.

Learn: How to livestream your podcast and engage your audience

4. Capture sources

Various inputs or content types can be captured and displayed on your Twitch stream. Whether it's your gameplay, camera feed, or even a specific window on your computer, these sources shape your broadcast's visual and audio content.

Imagine setting up a virtual stage for your audience. Each capture source is like a different prop or set piece.

• A Game Capture would be the main act, showcasing the game you're playing in real time.
• A Video Capture Device is akin to having a live camera on the stage, capturing every movement and reaction.
• Text and Image sources are the banners and posters on the stage, providing context or branding.
• Audio Input Capture and Audio Output Capture are your sound systems, ensuring your voice and game sounds are heard clearly.

Decide what elements you want to showcase. Will it be just gameplay? Do you want facecam? Are there alerts or specific overlays you wish to include?

Look for the '+' button in your streaming software at the bottom of the 'Sources' panel. From there, you'll see a list of source types to add (like Game Capture or Window Capture).

Once added, you can click and drag each source to position them on the canvas. Resize if necessary to fit them within your streaming frame.

💡TIP: Test each source. Play a game, talk into your mic, and play music to ensure each source is capturing correctly. Adjust volumes or sizes as necessary.

The beauty of streaming is the ability to customize and make the experience uniquely yours. Experiment with different sources and layouts until you find what works best for you and your audience.

5. Audio setup

Remember to account for all audio sources, not just the mic. This means configuring audio sources like game audio, instruments, and whatever else is involved in your Twitch stream. 

6. Preview and go live

Before going live, it’s best to preview what your stream looks like so you can work out any kinks. Pay extra attention to audio and video quality when doing your preview. 

If everything checks out, you’re ready to go live! You can hit the “Go Live” button to start broadcasting to an audience. 

Gear and streaming requirements

A quality Twitch stream is dependent on the equipment and technology you use. So, while technically speaking, you can stream with just a mobile device, you’ll want to invest in better quality gear to monetize your efforts. 

For a quality Twitch streaming setup, you need the following:

Powerful computer

A robust computer or gaming laptop is essential for smooth streaming. Twitch streaming is a high-bandwidth activity, so you need a machine that can keep up.

Consider the following specs:

• Memory: Look for at least 8GB of RAM, though more is better. You’ll need memory to download programs and save content. 
• CPU: This is your computer processing power—you’ll need at least six cores to avoid lag or crashing. You could try an Intel core processor with at least i5 CPU.
• GPU: This is your graphics card if you want to broadcast gameplay—it shares the work with your CPU. Twitch recommends the PowerGPU, though there are many other suitable ones available.
• Operating system: Your computer should run either Windows or macOS. Make sure to check out the software you plan to use and confirm it’s available for the operating system of your choice. 

Stable internet connection

High upload speeds and a reliable connection are crucial for reliable Twitch streaming. A strong internet connection will facilitate uninterrupted streams, high-quality audio, and high-resolution video while mitigating buffering. At a minimum, look for 3–6 Mbps. Many professional Twitch streamers like to have even more Mbps. 

Microphone and headphones

Good audio quality enhances the viewer experience. Find noise-canceling headphones that minimize background noise, and a microphone that delivers crisp, clear audio. Both wired and wireless headphone options can work—just ensure you keep them fully charged if you’re going the wireless route. 

When searching for a microphone, you’ll typically choose a dynamic mic instead of a condenser one—the latter is more sensitive to background noise. 

Aim for the following when it comes to your microphone: 

• Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz
• Connection type: USB will work; XLR offers better quality
• Polar pattern: Cardioid, super-cardioid, or hyper-cardioid; bidirectional if you’re conducting interviews on one mic
• Sample rate: 44.1kHz–48kHz
• Bit depth: At least 16-bit/48kHz

Another option is a headset. This won’t block your face, and it’s a two-in-one piece of equipment. The drawback is that the audio quality isn’t as high.

Webcam

Your webcam is another important part of your Twitch streaming setup. This lets viewers see you in real-time, creating a more personal experience. 

Look for webcams with the following specs:

• Resolution: Full HD or 1080p (2 megapixels), 2K (4 megapixels), or 4K (8+ megapixels) 
• Frame rate: At least 60 frames per second (fps)
• Field of view (FOV): 60-degree FOV if it’s just you; 90-degree FOV for capturing a group
• Lens material: Glass lenses offer clearer images, but plastic is less expensive 

Check out these best webcams for streaming in 2023 to help you find the right one for your needs. 

Capture card (for console gamers)

If you’re live streaming from a gaming console like a Sony Playstation, Microsoft Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch, you might want to look into ways to record your sessions instead. Capture cards can do that. 

A capture card is a device that records and streams gameplay, while allowing you to save recordings on a hard drive or SD card. This means you can play it back later, upload it to video platforms like YouTube to broadcast yourself to new audiences, and edit into new videos and content to maximize your investment. Capture cards allow you to make the most of your live streams for other channels like social media, YouTube, or your website.

Related: Best recording software — Everything you need to know 

Broadcasting software

Like we touched on above, your broadcasting software allows you to go live and share your stream with an audience. 

Each broadcasting software has its own features and functionality, so find one in your budget that caters to your unique needs. Make sure you set your platform to the appropriate broadcast settings.

Dual monitor setup (recommended)

While technically not required, it’s a good idea to use a dual monitor setup for Twitch streaming. This makes managing your stream much easier, as you can play a game on one monitor and interact with viewers on the other. You don’t have to toggle between different tabs and windows to fully engage with your stream.

Edit all your live video (and more) with Descript

Descript is a simple, powerful, and fun way to enhance your Twitch streaming experience. 

With features like automatic transcription, text-based editing, and easy audio/video manipulation, you can extend the life of live streams across Twitch and other channels and turn them into high-quality recorded streams that drive engagement for weeks, months, and even years to come. 

How to stream on Twitch FAQs

How do you stream on Twitch with a PS4?

1. Choose a compatible broadcasting software.
2. Connect your Twitch account.
3. Connect your PS4 console.
4. Configure your stream settings.
5. Capture all sources, including your PS4.
6. Set up audio.
7. Preview.
8. Go live.

How can I stream live for free?

You can stream live for free using Twitch and other free-to-use programs like OBS Studio and XSplit.

How hard is it to become a streamer?

It’s easy to become a streamer but a bit more difficult to become a successful streamer as a means of income. To become a streamer, you’ll need to invest in the gear, stick to a consistent streaming schedule, and engage with your audience.