YouTube Algorithm Explained, ishowspeed WWE, Twitch Sub Points + Discord Evolving Badges

Well, hello, and welcome to February! For many of you (tons of new signups last week!), this will be your first newsletter from me. I think you'll find a lot of value here, but if you have feedback, please send it my way! You can reply directly to this email - it's that simple.

Usually, I'd have an intro (or a later section with some industry insight), but I blew up my capacity for processing information this weekend due to trade wars starting (as a Canadian, it's concerning.) So, instead, let's jump into the recap!

Platform Updates

🟪 TWITCH

• In 2024, Twitch's total self-paid subscriptions collectively dropped for Partners and Affiliates (as measured by Plus Points).
• Are you curious how many people quit Twitch streaming after 1 month? Nearly 56%! More data is available here.
• You can now share clips from Twitch to Instagram.
• You may soon be able to pay for Twitch subs with your earned revenue. Watch my video on why they would do this.
• Amazon has launched Brand+ for Twitch, a way for marketers to identify customers who may be in the market for a product or service in the next three months.
• Analysis suggests Twitch is only about 0.1% of all living room TV consumption. This is up from 0% for most of the year's first half.
• Twitch claims they have fixed the issue that lowered ad revenue estimates.
• Twitch Australia is hosting a dinner for partners in February.
• Twitch's main channel added a Follower Emote to honor the late Lincoln Furrow.

🟥 YOUTUBE

• Communities continue to roll out to more creators.
• YouTube shared a video on how the algorithm works in 2025.

🟦 TWITTER X

• TwitterX announced a deal with Visa for its "X Money" account.

⏹️ DISCORD

• Nitro subscription badges now evolve the longer you've been a subscriber.
• Discord is experimenting with Voice Filters, with some only available to Nitro subscribers.

🔲 OTHERS

• Kick now has live rewind/playback functionality, similar to YouTube.
• Whatnot is trying to bring live shopping to the West.