Twitch is the largest livestreaming platform in the world, where millions of people watch gaming, music, art and more every day. Whether you want to see professionals play your favorite game or just want to hang out and watch along with a community, Twitch offers endless entertainment. In this beginner's guide we explain everything you need to know.

What is Twitch?

Twitch is a livestreaming platform where people, known as streamers, broadcast live video to an audience. It started as a gaming platform but has expanded into many categories. You can now also find musicians, artists, cooks and regular people sharing their daily lives.

What makes Twitch unique is the interaction. Through the chat you can communicate in real time with the streamer and other viewers. This creates a sense of community that traditional media cannot offer. Streamers respond to messages, answer questions and build relationships with their audience.

Getting started with Twitch

You can use Twitch without an account, but signing up offers many advantages.

Creating an account

Go to twitch.tv and click "Sign Up" in the top right. Enter a username, password, date of birth and email address. Confirm your email address via the verification link. You can also sign up with your existing Facebook or Apple account for quicker access.

Installing the Twitch app

Twitch is available on almost every device. Download the app from the App Store for iOS, Google Play for Android, or directly from twitch.tv for PC. There are also apps for smart TVs, PlayStation, Xbox and Amazon Fire TV. Log in with your account to watch anywhere.

Finding streams to watch

With thousands of live streams running at the same time, getting started can feel overwhelming.

Browsing categories

Click "Browse" in the menu to see all categories. Here you will find games sorted by viewers, but also categories such as Just Chatting, Music, Art and more. Click a category to see all live streams in that category.

Searching for specific content

Use the search bar to find specific games, streamers or tags. If you want to watch Minecraft, for example, search for "Minecraft" and you will see all live Minecraft streams. You can also filter by language to find Dutch streamers.

Discovering recommendations

Once you have been watching for a while, Twitch learns your preferences. The homepage shows personalized recommendations based on your viewing history. The "Discover" section introduces you to new streamers you may find interesting.

Following streamers

If you like a streamer, you can follow them to stay up to date.

How to follow

Click the heart button below a stream or on the streamer's page. You are now a follower and will see when they go live. You can turn on notifications to get an alert as soon as your favorite streamer starts broadcasting.

Managing who you follow

Go to your profile and select "Following" to see all the channels you follow. Here you can adjust the notification settings per channel. When a streamer is live, a red dot appears next to their name in your list.

Using the chat

Chat is the heart of the Twitch experience.

Sending messages

Type your message in the chat box and press Enter to send it. Your message appears in the chat along with messages from other viewers. Some chats move fast, especially with popular streamers who have thousands of viewers.

Using emotes

Twitch emotes are small images you can use in chat. Click the smiley icon next to the chat box to see the available emotes. Global emotes such as Kappa, PogChamp and LUL are iconic on Twitch. Each channel can also have its own emotes for subscribers.

Respecting chat rules

Every streamer sets their own chat rules. Read these rules before you join in. Moderators keep the chat friendly and can delete messages or ban users temporarily or permanently for violations.

Supporting streamers

There are several ways to support your favorite streamers.

Subscribing

A Twitch subscription costs money but gives you perks such as custom emotes, a badge next to your name and ad-free viewing on that channel. Part of the subscription fee goes to the streamer. With Amazon Prime you can give away a free subscription every month via Prime Gaming.

Bits and Cheers

Bits are Twitch's virtual currency. You buy Bits and use them to "cheer" in chat, which sends an animated emote. The streamer receives part of the value. It is a fun way to stand out in chat and support the streamer.

Donations

Many streamers have a donation link on their page. This usually runs through PayPal or other services and is a more direct way to support streamers financially.

Twitch features explained

Twitch has many features that improve your viewing experience.

Making clips

Did you see something funny or impressive? Click the clip icon to save the last 30 seconds. You can trim the clip and share it with others. Clips are a great way to save and share moments.

Watching VODs

Many streamers save their streams as Video On Demand. Go to a channel and click "Videos" to watch earlier streams. This is handy if you missed a live stream or want to rewatch a specific moment.

Raids and Hosts

At the end of their stream, streamers can "raid" another streamer with their viewers. Suddenly the other streamer gets a flood of new viewers. This is one way streamers help each other and connect communities.

Twitch on different devices

You can watch Twitch anywhere.

On your TV

Install the Twitch app on your smart TV, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation or Xbox. Log in and enjoy streams on the big screen. You can still chat on your phone while you watch on TV.

On mobile

The mobile app is perfect on the go. You can watch, chat and receive notifications. Picture-in-picture mode lets you keep watching while you use other apps.

Privacy and safety

Protect yourself online with these tips.

Never share personal information in chat. Report inappropriate behavior with the report feature. Adjust your privacy settings in your account settings to control who can see your activity. Parents can use Twitch's parental controls for young viewers.

Conclusion

Twitch offers endless entertainment and a sense of community that is unique to livestreaming. Start by exploring different categories, find streamers who suit you and become part of their community. Before you know it, you will be hooked on the interactive world of Twitch. Enjoy watching!

Frequently asked questions

Is Twitch free to use?

Yes, watching Twitch is completely free. You can watch streams and chat without paying. Optional features such as subscriptions and Bits cost money, but they are not required.

What is Prime Gaming and how does it work with Twitch?

Prime Gaming is included with Amazon Prime. Every month you get a free Twitch subscription to give away, free games and in-game loot. Link your Amazon and Twitch accounts to claim the benefits.

How do I find Dutch streamers on Twitch?

Use the search function and filter on the Dutch language, or search for tags such as 'Dutch' or 'Nederlands'. You can also browse categories and filter by language to find Dutch streams.

Can I rewatch Twitch streams?

Yes, many streamers save their streams as VODs (Video On Demand). Go to their channel and click 'Videos' to watch earlier streams. Not every streamer has this turned on.

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