Top streamers say their Twitch ad revenue has taken a major hit

The Twitch community seems to be shifting, and not for the benefit of many of its top-earning creators. Increasing numbers of high-profile streamers are lamenting a sharp fall in ad revenue, despite consistent viewer numbers and stream hours.

Among them is Mizkif, a popular content creator with a large following on the platform. During a recent stream, he didn’t hold back when talking about just how much his ad income has dropped, calling it “the worst I’ve seen in years.” And he’s not the only one raising the alarm.

Twitch ad revenue decline: Why streamers are speaking out

This conversation about Twitch ad payments isn't really new, but it has certainly become a lot more urgent in recent weeks. Streamers like Mizkif, Asmongold, and countless others have been saying that the platform's ad money system is no longer as steady, or as lucrative, as it used to be.

According to Mizkif, the numbers speak for themselves. He claims his ad revenue has dropped significantly, despite putting in the same effort and maintaining solid viewership.

“We’re talking about thousands of dollars less than what we were making just last year,” he explained during a live broadcast.

This comes after Twitch announced the changes in its Partner Plus program and ad incentive offers in 2023. The platform is reported to have changed its revenue-sharing policy, where some streamers have complained that they're now being compelled to display more and longer ads in an attempt to reach earning targets. Of course, this didn't go down well with viewers or creators as well.

The controversy has once again renewed debate concerning Twitch's support or otherwise for its content creators, especially when compared with competitors like YouTube and Kick. Both of the latter offer more favorable revenue splits.

Mizkif's comment gained traction fast on social media, with video recordings of his reaction spreading across Reddit, Twitter, and Twitch communities. His candor struck a chord with many, especially smaller streamers who say they've been feeling the financial crunch for months but didn't have the platform to speak out.

It didn’t take long for reactions to flood in. One user summed up the situation bluntly:

“They need to pay more, people have options now with YouTube, Kick etc.”

Another added, with a hint of sarcasm:

“They gonna need real jobs soon.”

And the experience hasn’t gone unnoticed from the viewer’s side either. One person wrote:

“Makes sense why it seems like everyone playing 3 times the amount of ads.”

Twitch has long been considered the top dog in live streaming, but recent changes especially around monetization have shaken that reputation. As top creators speak out and audiences notice the shift in ad frequency, the question isn’t just about money. It’s about trust.

If revenue continues to fall and creators continue to feel undervalued, platforms like YouTube and Kick might not just be alternatives they could become the new go-tos. And if that happens, Twitch may find it’s not just ad revenue that's disappearing but its creators too.

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