Can Twitch’s New Ads Manager Boost Your Revenue?
Twitch has rolled out new updates to its Ads Manager, giving streamers more control and transparency over how ads are managed on their channels. If you’re a streamer looking to maximize ad revenue while keeping your viewers happy, here’s a breakdown of the key changes and what they mean for you.
What’s New?
The most significant update is the introduction of an ad density slider. This new tool helps streamers adjust how many ad minutes they want to run per hour. The slider also provides clear feedback on what level of revenue share you’ll unlock and whether your settings will disable pre-roll ads for incoming viewers.
For Twitch Partners, revenue estimates previously part of the Ads Incentive Program (AIP) are now integrated directly into the Ads Manager. This means you’ll get monthly revenue projections based on your past ad performance—no extra steps required.
Both Partners and Affiliates can now automatically earn 55% net ad revenue by running at least 3 minutes of ads per hour. There is no longer a need to opt into the AIP.
Key Features to Explore
Here’s a quick rundown of the features you’ll want to pay attention to:
- Ad Density Slider: Easily adjust ad minutes per hour and see how it impacts revenue and pre-roll ads.
- Automatic Ad Length & Frequency: Let Twitch choose the optimal ad settings for your channel based on demand and seasonality.
- Chat Countdown Timer & Auto Snooze: These features are neatly organized under Advanced Settings and help you run ads without disrupting key moments, like Hype Trains.
- Pre-Roll Removal: Run 3 minutes of ads per hour to remove pre-roll ads for 60 minutes, improving the experience for new viewers.
Lack of Control
Some streamers have voiced concerns about the types of ads shown on their channels. One streamer, for example, was upset when their stream was used to promote a crypto project that didn’t align with their values.
Additionally, some streamers have brand partnerships with specific companies and don’t want to risk promoting competitors through ads they have no control over.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’re a streamer looking to maximize ad revenue, these updates are a step in the right direction. The ad density slider and integrated revenue estimates make it easier to understand how ads will impact your earnings and viewers’ experience. Plus, the ability to disable pre-rolls with 3 minutes of mid-roll ads per hour (if you didn’t already know) can improve the experience for new viewers.
However, if you prefer more control over when and what type of ads run on your channel, you might find the current system limiting. The lack of flexibility in scheduling longer, less frequent ad breaks and the inability to filter out certain ad content are still major pain points for some creators.
Final Thoughts
Twitch’s Ads Manager update is a clear signal that the platform is listening to feedback and working to improve the ad experience for both streamers and viewers. However, there’s still room for improvement, especially when it comes to giving streamers more flexibility and control over their ad settings.
For now, it’s worth exploring the new features and seeing how they fit into your streaming routine. If you have strong feelings about the changes, don’t forget to share your feedback with Twitch via UserVoice.
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