Have you heard of Twitch? If not, have no fear. About two weeks ago, I had no idea what it was either. I was recently asked if I was familiar with this and my immediate response was, “of course, the dancer/DJ on Ellen?”
While I was not wrong, this wasn’t necessarily the “Twitch” they were referring to. Twitch is a popular platform you may not know about, but it’s rapidly growing everyday. It may not be for everyone, but we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about it!
What is Twitch?
With over 15 million daily users, Twitch is a live streaming video service with content ranging from live music broadcasts to cooking tutorials. Contrary to popular belief, Twitch is not new. The company was founded in 2011 and later purchased by Amazon in 2014. While channels can, of course, record live, they can also pre-record videos and upload these at a later date.
So, how did we not know about this?! The platform was originally widely used by gamers focusing on video games and eSports. However, now non-gamer companies like Buzzfeed, NBA, and NASA are jumping on board and creating content due to its already established following. The Washington Post has created a series on their page dedicated to interviewing politicians while they simultaneously play video games. With the IRL (“in real life”) category, influencers and vloggers can share their opinions and simply how they live their everyday life. The Social Eating category is for users to stream themselves eating or drinking. As you can see, there are endless channels on Twitch and something for everyone. The company is continuing to expand its categories beyond gaming.
The best part? It’s all free!
What you need to know:
Twitch is a social network. Over the years, the company has introduced new features like chatting, the ability to follow channels, and direct messaging so viewers are able to build a community and become a part of the show. What makes this platform so successful is the real-time interaction between streamers and viewers.
YouTube is one of Twitch’s direct competitors. While more people are streaming on Twitch, YouTube is incredibly popular due to, of course, its well-established reputation. Many companies, like the few I mentioned earlier, are also creating profiles because of their decline in Facebook Live viewers.
Brands are also investing their money in advertisements. While watching or browsing, you may see ads from Reese’s, Old Spice, or Coca-Cola to name a few.
While it may not necessarily be the platform for you, Twitch is certainly something to keep an eye on. Interested in learning more? Give us a call at (888) 632-4499. We’re always keeping up with the latest trends!
