Today, Twitch has updated its guidelines on branded content. The guidelines detail what is allowed for branded streams and what isn’t. Following the announcement, there was backlash from the community including several big streamers such as Mr. Beast, Asmongold, and the group OTK which Asmongold is a part of.
With the new rules, on-stream logos have to be shrunk to 3% of the screen size. Burned-in video, display, and audio ads are no longer allowed. Channel page panel ads, product placement, links in chat, discussing/unboxing products, and playing sponsored games is allowed. There is also a requirement for streamers to display a new disclosure when their stream contains branded content. If a streamer does not follow this new rule, it could lead to disciplinary actions against their account, including suspension.
Mr. Beast took to Twitter and said ” Hey Twitch, how about instead of handicapping what creators make, you help them make more? seems more logical.”
Asmongold also released a statement regarding the new guidelines. He called for fellow content creators to either boycott Twitch or leave the platform altogether and migrate to other ones, such as YouTube, Kick, or Rumble. Asmongold notes that these advertisement restrictions do more financial harm to streamers than good.
Tips Out, the Co-Founder of the influencer network and media company OTK said that the organization will leave the platform if Twitch follows through on enforcing the new rules.
Following the announcement of the new guidelines and the backlash from the community, Twitch released a statement on Twitter talking about the reception.