Although YouTube dominates the world of online video streaming, Twitch is quickly becoming the destination of choice of gamers looking for a more interactive experience.

Launched in 2011, Twitch is a service that lets broadcasters play games, create art, or even eat in front of a live audience.

While they do these activities they can gain subscribers and donations. Subscribers pay $4.99 a month and they receive a shout out from the streamer, gain the ability to use custom emoji in the chat, and other exclusive content meant only for subscribers.

Audience members can also connect their Amazon Prime accounts to gain one free subscription to any streamer for free. They can also buy a Twitch Turbo subscription that grants an ad-free watching experience, custom emoticons, a wider range of chat colors, and a turbo badge.

Once the streamer gains enough followers they can gain a “Subscriber button,” granting them a partnership with Twitch that lets them earn revenue from advertisements. This also allows them access to be featured at streaming events and gain sponsorships from other companies.

Streamers also earn money through donations and Twitch’s own currency called Bits, which allow streamers to collect more than the regular $5 donation cap. Donations can be given by any member of the chat who wants to support the streamer without being locked in by a subscription.

With the introduction of Bits, audience members can “cheer” a certain amount of bits to the streamer of their choice. These bits have monetary value but not all of the money goes to the streamer unlike subscriptions.

Audience members interact with their favorite streamers through a chat. In chat, people can spam emotes, chat with a streamer, and use certain commands the streamer has implemented.

Twitch has many competitors such as YouTube and Beam that allow content creators the chance to gain revenue. While YouTube is very popular it has become harder for streamers/content creators to gain money from ads on a single video. Because of this Twitch has grown in size with more than 2 million active broadcasters and more than 17,000 partners.

As a partner you are invited to events like E3, Twitchcon, and PAX. At these events Twitch sets up a booth where fans can take pictures and get signatures with their favorite streamers. Because of these events streamers and their audience create a more personal connection than just talking through a chat