On November 2, initial tests for the new Boost feature on Twitch began. Streamer and YouTuber Zach Bussey has now analyzed the numbers from the paid Boost feature and shows how reasonable this ‘Pay2Win’ mechanic really is.
How did the Boost feature work? In exchange for money, viewers could promote their favorite streamers. However, this money did not go to the streamer but to Twitch. Subsequently, the streamer was promoted on the main page of the streaming platform. Depending on the amount, it was shown to more or fewer users:
- 0.88 euros for 1,000 impressions
- 2.63 euros for 3,000 impressions
- 4.63 euros for 5,000 impressions
There was also an additional test that worked without money: viewers were supposed to complete community challenges on the respective Twitch streamers’ channels. The challenge could be completed if enough channel points were sacrificed. Channel points are continuously collected by a viewer when they watch the stream, leave a follow, or interact with the stream in other ways.
The paid test for the ‘Pay2Win’ feature
In the test, only streamers with fewer than 250 average viewers could use this feature. Previously, there were concerns that the gap between large and small streamers would become even larger. However, Zach Bussey is very confident that even with a potential official release, a limit based on average viewers would exist (via YouTube).
The test of the Boost feature has so far only taken place in America. Details about the 125 Twitch streamers who participated in the test:
- 107 affiliates.
- 18 partners.
- A total of 27 average viewers, calculated across all 125 streamers.
- Many of the streamers had about 5 viewers on average.
- The channel with the highest average viewership had 353. Although this did not meet the requirements of 250, the person was selected before they received the increase in viewers through raids and hosts.
In his video, Zach Bussey analyzed the Boost test starting from November 2. From October 2 to November 2, he collected data from the test participants and compared it with data from November 2 to December 2. Bussey aimed to analyze the success or failure of the Boost test and included this data from Twitch streamers:
- Average viewers.
- The highest number of viewers.
- Channel views.
- Receiving followers.
- Hours the streamer was live.
The result: Overall, a negative trend can be observed. Both the average viewers decreased by 6.73% and the channel views decreased by 49.46%. However, the streamers were only live 4.79% fewer hours than the previous month, so it cannot be due to participation.
Bussey emphasized that the goal of such a feature should rather be positive than negative. Therefore, the Boost feature completely missed its target and apparently had almost no impact on the streamers.
Sure, some Twitch streamers had better numbers than the previous month, but that is completely normal for a growing, active streamer, said Bussey. The Boost feature was probably less involved.
Whether Twitch will introduce or test the new ‘Pay2Win’ mechanic in Germany is currently unknown. But starting in December, the free variant via channel points will be tested with us (via Twitch). We do not yet know whether it has started, which streamers will participate, and how it has been received in Germany so far.
