Streamers on Twitch can now share short Instagram-style posts directly with their audience
Twitch Introduces New Feature: Twitch Stories
Twitch, the popular livestreaming platform, has recently unveiled a new feature called Twitch Stories. This innovative addition to the platform allows creators to share short content and promote their channels, adapting the popular vertical video format to its livestreaming platform [2].
With Twitch Stories, users will receive push notifications every time a subscribed creator publishes a new story. Creators with at least 30 subscribers have the option of creating sub-only Stories exclusive to their paying audience [1]. These stories expire after 48 hours [2].
The latest update to Twitch will display a new "Stories" shelf on the "Following" page [2]. Creators can add custom backgrounds to their Stories with pre-made canvases [1]. Twitch also plans to allow creators to make Stories from video captured on their phones [2].
Twitch Stories merges livestream and clip-style vertical video to compete with Snapchat and Instagram Stories by offering personalized, scrollable vertical content framed around gaming and live broadcast culture [2]. Unlike traditional horizontal Twitch streams, this feature enables scrolling through personalized vertical videos using AI auto-cropping or manual editing by creators to fit the vertical format [2].
Compared to Snapchat Stories and Instagram Stories, Twitch's offering builds on these concepts but integrates livestream clips and vertical video uniquely for a gaming and livestream-focused audience [2]. Snapchat Stories focus on fast, creative, authentic visual content with a 65% completion rate and heavy daily engagement, especially among younger users, supported by AR lenses and ephemeral messaging [1][5]. Instagram Stories remain highly engaging with users spending 25-35% of their Instagram time on this format [3].
Twitch is currently in the alpha testing phase for the Stories feature, with no broad eligibility criteria published yet [2]. The company is limiting access while refining the feature [2]. There is a possibility that Twitch may set up a full algorithmic "for you"-type Stories feed for creators the company thinks users may be interested in [2].
Users can react to Stories with emotes, just like a regular stream on Twitch [1]. Users can also report Stories if they violate the community guidelines [1]. The gradual rollout of the Stories feature will continue through the end of the week, based on user eligibility [2].
The introduction of sub-only Stories adds even more incentive for users to subscribe [1]. Twitch representative Fenili stated that the new feature is beneficial for creators to make public announcements when their stream is running late or to share personal updates [2]. Twitch is also working on additional features like in-message polls and mentions for the Stories feature [2].
Instagram initially copied the idea of Stories from Snapchat seven years ago [1]. Instagram had to add a chronological feed for Stories to comply with EU regulations [1].
In summary, Twitch Stories offers an exciting new way for creators to engage with their audience, combining the best elements of livestreaming and short-form video content. As the feature continues to roll out and refine, it will be interesting to see how it evolves and how it compares to the well-established Stories features on Snapchat and Instagram.
- Gizmodo is likely to cover Twitch Stories, a new feature integrating livestreams and short vertical videos, as it competes with Snapchat and Instagram Stories.
- As Twitch Stories expand their tech offerings, users might anticipate additional features like in-message polls and mentions, enhancing the platform's technology for a better user experience.
