Twitch Bounties Explained: Complete Guide to Earning Money Promoting Games

Key Takeaways

• Twitch Bounties are paid promotional opportunities where streamers earn money by playing specific games for a set duration.
• Eligibility requires Affiliate or Partner status, being 18+, residing in an eligible country, and meeting campaign-specific requirements.
• Payouts scale with channel size—small streamers might earn $20-50 per bounty, while larger creators can earn $100-500+.
• Disclosure is mandatory—Twitch automatically labels bounty streams as "Paid Promotion" per FTC guidelines.
• Bounties are limited—campaigns have claim limits and deadlines, so act quickly when attractive bounties appear.

How Bounties Work

The bounty process follows a straightforward workflow:

• Campaign Creation: Game publishers work with Twitch to create promotional campaigns with budgets and targeting criteria
• Bounty Board Listing: Eligible streamers see available bounties in their Creator Dashboard
• Claim the Bounty: Streamers review requirements and payout, then claim bounties they want to complete
• Complete Requirements: Stream the specified game for the required duration within the deadline
• Verification: Twitch automatically verifies completion and processes payment
• Payout: Earnings are added to your Twitch balance and paid out according to your payout schedule

Types of Bounties

Bounty campaigns come in several formats:

• Game Bounties: The most common type—stream a specific game for a set duration (usually 30-60 minutes)
• Event Bounties: Time-sensitive campaigns tied to game launches, updates, or seasonal events
• In-Game Event Bounties: Participate in specific in-game activities or events while streaming
• Watch Bounties: Rare campaigns where streaming specific content (like esports events) earns rewards

Basic Requirements

To access the Bounty Board at all, you must meet these baseline criteria:

• Affiliate or Partner Status: You must have achieved at least Twitch Affiliate status
• Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years old
• Geographic Eligibility: Reside in a country where the Bounty Board program is available (primarily US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, and other major markets)
• Good Standing: No active strikes, suspensions, or policy violations on your account
• Tax Information: Complete tax documentation on file with Twitch

Campaign-Specific Requirements

Individual bounty campaigns may have additional requirements:

• Minimum Followers: Some bounties require 100, 500, 1,000+ followers
• Average Viewership: Campaigns may target streamers with specific concurrent viewer ranges
• Content Category: Some bounties only appear for streamers who regularly stream certain game categories
• Language: Campaigns may target specific language communities
• ESRB/Age Rating: Mature-rated game bounties may have additional verification requirements

Why You Might Not See Bounties

If you meet basic requirements but see no bounties, several factors may apply:

• No active campaigns match your channel's profile or content category
• Available bounties have reached their claim limits
• Your channel metrics don't meet campaign thresholds
• Geographic restrictions exclude your region

Bounty availability fluctuates based on advertiser demand—check back regularly as new campaigns launch frequently.

Payout Factors

Your bounty payout is determined by several variables:

• Channel Size: Larger channels with more followers and viewers receive higher payouts
• Average Concurrent Viewers: Your typical live viewership directly impacts payout rates
• Campaign Budget: Higher-budget campaigns from major publishers pay more per streamer
• Stream Duration: Longer required stream times typically mean higher payouts
• Campaign Demand: High-demand campaigns may offer premium rates

Finding Available Bounties

Access the Bounty Board through your Twitch Creator Dashboard:

1. Log into dashboard.twitch.tv
2. Look for "Bounty Board" in the left sidebar menu
3. Browse available bounties with their requirements and payouts
4. Click on a bounty to view full details, terms, and deadlines

Claiming a Bounty

Before claiming, review all requirements carefully:

• Stream Duration: How long must you stream the game? (typically 30-60 minutes)
• Deadline: When must the stream be completed by?
• Special Requirements: Any specific activities, hashtags, or mentions required?
• Concurrent Viewer Minimums: Some bounties require maintaining certain viewer counts
• Terms and Conditions: Review the full legal terms before accepting

Click "Accept Bounty" to claim your spot. Bounties have limited slots, so popular campaigns fill quickly.

Completing the Bounty

Follow these steps to successfully complete your bounty:

1. Schedule Your Stream: Plan when you'll complete the bounty before the deadline
2. Set the Correct Category: Stream under the game's official Twitch category
3. Meet Duration Requirements: Stream for at least the required time (usually with a small buffer for safety)
4. Stay Live: Don't go offline prematurely—the full duration must be continuous
5. Engage Authentically: Actually play and engage with the game, don't just leave it running

Bounty Completion Tracking

Twitch automatically tracks your bounty progress. During your stream, you can see:

• Time remaining until completion
• Whether you're meeting viewer requirements (if applicable)
• Confirmation when the bounty is successfully completed

Check your Bounty Board after the stream to confirm the bounty shows as "Completed" rather than "In Progress."

How Bounty Payments Work

• Automatic Verification: Twitch verifies completion within 24-48 hours
• Balance Addition: Verified earnings are added to your Twitch payout balance
• Combined with Other Earnings: Bounty income combines with subs, Bits, and ads
• Payout Threshold: Standard $50 minimum threshold applies (or $100 for some regions)
• Payout Schedule: Paid on your regular Twitch payout date (typically 15 days after month-end)

Tax Considerations

Bounty income is taxable as self-employment income in most jurisdictions:

• 1099 Reporting: US streamers receive 1099 forms for Twitch earnings (including bounties) over $600 annually
• Track Your Earnings: Keep records of completed bounties for tax purposes
• Business Expenses: Equipment, software, and other streaming costs may be deductible
• Quarterly Taxes: Consider estimated quarterly payments if bounty income is significant

Consult the IRS Self-Employed Tax Center or a tax professional for specific guidance on streaming income.

Automatic Disclosure

When you're streaming a bounty:

• "Paid Promotion" Label: Twitch automatically displays a label on your stream indicating sponsored content
• VOD Labeling: The label persists on VODs and clips from bounty streams
• Platform Compliance: Automatic labeling satisfies basic FTC disclosure requirements

Best Practices for Disclosure

Beyond automatic labeling, maintain transparency with your audience:

• Verbal Acknowledgment: Mention at stream start that it's a sponsored/bounty stream
• Honest Opinions: You're not required to say positive things about the game—give your genuine impressions
• Clear Communication: If viewers ask if you're paid to play, answer honestly
• No Deception: Never hide or downplay the promotional nature of bounty content

Check Frequently

Bounty availability changes constantly:

• Daily Checks: Review your Bounty Board at least once daily
• New Game Launches: Major releases often trigger bounty campaigns
• Event Timing: Gaming events, sales, and updates spawn promotional campaigns
• Act Quickly: High-value bounties fill fast—don't wait to claim attractive opportunities

Align Bounties with Your Content

Choose bounties that fit your channel naturally:

• Genre Alignment: FPS streamers playing FPS bounties feels authentic; RPG streamers playing racing games may feel forced
• Audience Expectations: Your viewers came for specific content—bounties should complement, not clash
• Genuine Interest: You'll create better content playing games you actually want to try
• Long-term Relationship: If you enjoy the game, you might continue playing it, building organic viewership

Grow Your Channel Metrics

Higher metrics mean higher payouts and more bounty options:

• Consistent Streaming: Regular streams improve average viewership metrics
• Viewer Retention: Engaging content keeps viewers watching longer
• Community Building: Loyal communities tune in reliably, boosting concurrent viewers
• Discovery Optimization: Clips, raids, and discoverability features grow your audience

Use our Stream Growth Calculator to project your channel growth and potential bounty earnings.

Plan for Bounty Streams

Treat bounty streams as professional commitments:

• Schedule Appropriately: Stream bounties during your peak viewership times
• Prepare the Game: Download, install, and test the game before going live
• Have Backup Time: Don't schedule bounties right before deadlines—leave buffer time
• Create Quality Content: Put effort into the stream; sponsors value engaged, quality content

Claiming Without Checking Requirements

Always read the full requirements before claiming:

• Time Requirements: Can you actually stream for 60+ minutes during the deadline period?
• Game Access: Do you own the game, or does the bounty provide access?
• Special Conditions: Are there specific activities, hashtags, or mentions required?
• Viewer Minimums: Can you realistically maintain required concurrent viewers?

Waiting Until the Deadline

Procrastination creates unnecessary risk:

• Technical Issues: Game crashes, download problems, or stream issues can prevent completion
• Life Happens: Emergencies, illness, or schedule changes become critical when there's no buffer
• Lower Pressure: Completing early lets you focus on quality content, not racing the clock

Faking Engagement

Don't undermine the bounty's purpose:

• Actually Play: Don't leave the game running while doing other things
• Engage Genuinely: Try the game, comment on it, interact with your audience about it
• Viewer Experience: Your viewers are watching—give them entertaining content
• Publisher Value: Fake engagement doesn't serve the sponsor and may impact future bounty access

Ignoring Audience Feedback

Balance promotional content with community expectations:

• Listen to Chat: If viewers hate the game, acknowledge their feedback
• Don't Oversell: You're not required to love every bounty game
• Moderation: Don't do bounties so frequently that your channel becomes all sponsored content
• Transparency: Be honest about the promotional nature—viewers appreciate authenticity

Small Streamers (New Affiliates)

If you're just starting with bounties:

• Limited Access: Fewer bounties will be available initially
• Lower Payouts: Expect modest amounts ($10-30 per bounty typically)
• Selective Approach: Only claim bounties for games you'd genuinely enjoy
• Focus on Growth: Use bounties as discovery opportunities—viewers searching for that game might find you

At this stage, subscriptions and Bits remain more significant income sources than bounties.

Growing Streamers (Established Affiliates)

With consistent viewership, bounties become more viable:

• More Options: Higher metrics unlock additional bounty campaigns
• Meaningful Income: Bounties can add $100-300+ monthly to your earnings
• Strategic Selection: Choose bounties that align with your content and audience
• Schedule Integration: Incorporate bounties into your regular streaming schedule

Established Partners

At Partner level, bounties complement other opportunities:

• Premium Payouts: Larger audience means significantly higher bounty rates
• Selectivity Matters: With more options, be choosy about which games align with your brand
• Direct Deals Available: Consider whether direct sponsorships offer better terms
• Supplemental Income: Bounties remain easy additional income even when direct deals are available

Industry Trends

• Growing Advertiser Interest: Game publishers increasingly value streamer marketing
• Platform Competition: YouTube and other platforms developing similar programs
• Expanded Categories: Bounties may expand beyond games to other product categories
• Performance Metrics: Future bounties may incorporate more sophisticated performance tracking

Can I complete multiple bounties at once?

You can only stream one bounty at a time, but you can have multiple bounties claimed and complete them in separate streams before their respective deadlines. Just ensure you can realistically complete all claimed bounties within their time limits.

What happens if I fail to complete a claimed bounty?

If you don't complete a bounty before its deadline, you simply don't receive payment—there's no penalty beyond losing the opportunity. However, consistently failing to complete claimed bounties may impact your standing or bounty access, so only claim bounties you can realistically complete.

Can I say negative things about the game during a bounty stream?

Yes, you're not required to give positive reviews. Bounties pay you to play and showcase the game, not to praise it. Honest reactions—including criticism—are acceptable and often more valuable to viewers. However, being excessively negative or dismissive may not serve your relationship with future bounty opportunities.

Do bounties affect my regular viewer count?

This depends on your content and audience. If the bounty game aligns with your usual content, viewer impact is minimal. If it's significantly different from your normal streams, some viewers may skip that stream. Over time, occasional bounty variety rarely hurts—and may introduce your channel to new audiences searching for that game.

Related Resources

• Affiliate vs Partner Guide - Understanding Twitch's creator tiers and requirements
• Twitch Subscriptions Guide - Complete guide to subscription revenue
• Twitch Ads Guide - Maximizing ad revenue on Twitch
• Total Income Estimator - Calculate your complete Twitch earnings
• Stream Growth Calculator - Project your path to higher bounty payouts