| Requirement | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Followers | 50 total |
| Stream time | 500 minutes (~8.3 hours) in 30 days |
| Broadcast days | 7 unique days in 30 days |
| Average viewers | 3 concurrent, averaged across streams |
Progress is tracked automatically under Creator Dashboard → Insights → Achievements. When all four are met, Twitch sends an invitation (usually within a day or two) and you complete a tax form and payout setup to start earning from subs and bits.
The one that actually stops people
Followers, minutes and days come from just showing up. The 3 average concurrent viewers is the real filter, because streaming to zero drags your average down. What helps:
- Stream fewer, better hours. Ten hours with friends watching beats forty hours alone — the metric is an average.
- Pick low-competition categories. Being one of 20 streams in a niche game gets you discovered; being one of 15,000 in Just Chatting doesn't. Use specific tags so filters surface you.
- Write titles worth clicking. Your title is the only marketing a zero-viewer stream has — our title generator exists for exactly this.
- Announce streams where people already know you — Discord, group chats, socials. Early viewers are almost always people you invited, not strangers.
How long does it take to reach Affiliate?
Streamers who show up consistently and invite their existing network typically make it in 2–8 weeks. There's no review queue — the invite is automatic once thresholds are met.
Can you lose Affiliate status?
Twitch can remove it for long inactivity or terms violations, but there's no ongoing viewer requirement once you're in.
Does Affiliate cost anything?
No. Anyone asking you to pay for Affiliate is scamming you. You will need to fill out tax forms (free) to receive payouts.
What comes after Affiliate?
Partner: 75 average viewers, 25 hours streamed, and 12 unique days within 30 days unlocks the Path to Partner achievement, followed by an application review.