Understanding Twitch Affiliate Requirements
Becoming a Twitch Affiliate is the first major milestone for new streamers, unlocking monetization features like subscriptions, Bits, and ad revenue. According to Twitch's official Affiliate Program documentation, you must meet four specific requirements within a 30-day rolling period to receive your invitation.
This tracker helps you visualize your progress toward each requirement and provides personalized insights to help you reach Affiliate status faster. Understanding exactly where you standāand which areas need the most attentionāis essential for efficient growth.
The Four Affiliate Requirements
| Requirement | Target | Timeframe | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Followers | 50 followers | Cumulative (all-time) | Moderate |
| Average Viewers | 3 concurrent viewers | Last 30 days | Hardest for most |
| Stream Hours | 8 hours total | Last 30 days | Easy |
| Broadcast Days | 7 unique days | Last 30 days | Easy |
Important: 30-Day Rolling Window
Except for followers, all requirements are measured over a rolling 30-day period. This means if you streamed 10 hours last month but stopped streaming, those hours will eventually "fall off" your stats. Consistency is key to maintaining and building toward your requirements.
How Average Viewers Are Calculated
The most challenging requirement for new streamers is typically the 3 average concurrent viewers metric. According to Twitch Creator Camp's average viewership guide, this number is calculated by taking the total viewer minutes across all your streams in the last 30 days and dividing by total minutes streamed.
This means:
- Longer streams aren't penalized - If you stream for 4 hours with 2 viewers and 1 hour with 10 viewers, your average weights toward the longer stream
- Every minute counts - Having 10 viewers for 10 minutes adds 100 viewer-minutes to your total
- Raiding helps - Incoming raids can significantly boost your average if viewers stick around
- You count as a viewer - You're included in your own viewer count (but shouldn't rely on this)
Strategies to Improve Average Viewers
Building a consistent viewership requires strategy, not just streaming more hours. According to Stream Scheme's streaming statistics, most successful small streamers focus on these tactics:
- Choose the right category - Streaming oversaturated games means competing against thousands. Use our Stream Discovery Score Calculator to find categories where you'll be visible.
- Maintain a consistent schedule - Viewers return when they know when you'll be live. Our Stream Schedule Analyzer can help optimize your timing.
- Network through raids - Raiding similar-sized streamers builds relationships and exposes you to new audiences. Learn more in our Complete Twitch Raids Guide.
- Engage actively with chat - Viewers stay longer when streamers acknowledge them. Respond to every message, especially as a small streamer.
Stream Hours and Broadcast Days: The Easy Requirements
The stream hours (8 hours) and broadcast days (7 unique days) requirements are straightforward to achieve with basic consistency. Streaming just 2 hours per week across 7 different days gets you to both requirements.
However, there's strategic value in how you structure your streaming time:
- Longer sessions build deeper engagement - 3-hour streams allow your community to form around watching you
- Multiple short streams hurt averages - Starting a stream brings in viewers gradually; short streams may never reach your normal viewership
- Consistency matters more than volume - Streaming the same 3 days every week builds habits for your viewers
For detailed scheduling strategies, check out our Complete Twitch Stream Schedule Guide.
Building Your Follower Count
Reaching 50 followers is a cumulative goalāonce someone follows, they count toward your total (unless they unfollow). Most streamers reach this milestone naturally while working on other requirements, but active growth strategies accelerate the process:
- Follow-for-follow communities - While not ideal for engagement, these can help you hit 50 followers faster. Focus on quality growth afterward.
- Social media presence - Sharing clips and stream announcements on Twitter/X, TikTok, and Discord can drive follows
- Raid targets often follow back - When you raid streamers, many will follow you back out of courtesy
- Play with viewers - Multiplayer sessions where viewers join you often convert watchers into followers
For comprehensive growth strategies, our Twitch Followers Complete Guide covers everything from organic growth to community building.
Avoid Follower Bots and Fake Engagement
Using follower bots or buying fake followers violates Twitch's Terms of Service and can result in permanent suspension. Twitch's systems are sophisticated at detecting artificial engagement. Build your following legitimatelyāit takes longer but creates real community value.
What Happens After You Qualify?
Once you meet all four requirements, Twitch typically sends your Affiliate invitation within 24-48 hours. The invitation appears in your Creator Dashboard and via email. You'll need to:
- Accept the Affiliate Agreement
- Complete tax documentation (W-9 for US, W-8BEN for international)
- Set up your payout method (Twitch pays via direct deposit or PayPal)
After completion, you'll gain access to:
- Subscriptions - Tier 1, 2, and 3 subs at $4.99, $9.99, and $24.99 (50% revenue share)
- Bits - Viewers can cheer with Bits, and you earn $0.01 per Bit
- Ad Revenue - Run ads during your stream for additional income
- Custom Emotes - Create channel emotes for your subscribers
- Channel Points - Reward viewers with customizable Channel Points
Learn more about monetization in our Complete Guide to Becoming a Twitch Affiliate, and compare Affiliate benefits to Partner status in our Affiliate vs Partner comparison guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it typically take to become a Twitch Affiliate?
Most streamers who maintain a consistent schedule (3-4 streams per week) reach Affiliate within 1-3 months. The timeline depends heavily on your category choice, networking efforts, and content quality. Some streamers reach it in under a week; others take 6+ months.
Do I lose Affiliate status if my stats drop below requirements?
No. Once you're accepted as a Twitch Affiliate, you retain the status regardless of future performance. However, Twitch can revoke Affiliate status for Terms of Service violations or extended inactivity (typically 12+ months of no streaming).
Can I apply for Affiliate, or is it invitation-only?
The Twitch Affiliate Program is invitation-only. Once you meet all requirements, Twitch automatically detects this and sends you an invitation. There's no application processājust meet the requirements and wait for your invite.
Do all 4 requirements need to be met at the same exact time?
Yes, all requirements must be met simultaneously within the same 30-day window. Followers are cumulative (they don't expire), but stream hours, broadcast days, and average viewers are calculated on a rolling 30-day basis.
What's the difference between Affiliate and Partner?
Affiliate is the entry-level program with basic monetization. Partner offers better revenue splits (up to 70% for Partner Plus), transcoding for all viewers, more emote slots, verified badge, and priority support. Partner requirements are significantly higher (75 avg viewers, 25 hours, 12 unique days over 30 days).
