Streamers are up in arms over a change to Twitch’s Branded Content Guidelines, which banned “burned-in” video ads, audio ads, banner ads, and limits on-screen logos to just 3% of screen size. After outcry from streamers, including some of the platform’s biggest names, Twitch has released an apology, though hasn’t yet clarified how the guidelines will be further modified.
The initial change was shared on Twitter by streamer Zach Bussey, showing a series of illustrations that demonstrate what will and won’t be allowed under the new content guidelines.
Twitch has new Branded Content Guidelines.
– On-stream logos are limited to 3% of screen size.
– Burned-in video Ads are NOT allowed.
– Burned-in Display Ads are NOT allowed.
– Burned-in Audio Ads are NOT allowed.#TwitchNews #TOSgg pic.twitter.com/QrlrQhGAbm— Zach Bussey (@zachbussey) June 6, 2023
Streamers immediately took issue with the changes, which would eat into revenue streamers are able to make from brand sponsorships–which is especially important after the controversial 50/50 revenue split came into play late last year. Major streamers spoke out against the changes, with many threatening to leave for other platforms instead of continuing to support Twitch.