YouTube DMs, Bluesky Group Chats, Twitch Bonus Subs, and Streamer University 2026

Hello! How are you doing? I hope you're well! Lots of stories this week, including Twitch launching a new ad product (category-wide bonus subs), while allowing Partners to control their viewership cap; YouTube brought back DMs, something they killed off over 7 years ago; Bluesky added Group Chats, and TikTok is testing video calls. It seems like every platform is turning more towards Community and Connection. Entirely unsurprising in a world that's being increasingly inundated with AI-generated content while algorithms attempt to hold micro-attention and feed you dopamine. The natural cultural swing back to the last few years is slower content, community, and personal experiences. So it's certainly wise for platforms to have some ability to support this growing demographic of viewers and creators. Outside of that, there have been some other consequential changes - particularly Whalar being acquired by Accenture. If you don't know what either of those companies are, strongly encourage you to take a quick look! It's a big move for the creator space.

With that, let's get into the full recap after this update from the fine folks who help me continue this work: Streamlabs!

SPONSORED

Streamlabs has just made it easier to get your next sponsorship! Now, you no longer need to install the Sponsorships app in Streamlabs Desktop; you can just go to the Dashboard on web and apply from there! This is part of Streamlabs' continued work towards improving the creator space - so go check it out! (Note: It is still limited to US creators, but they are working to expand availability and opportunities).

Check Current Campaigns!

🟪 TWITCH

• Twitch Partners can now set their own View Count Cap if they are being viewbotted. Most people will never need this, but if you are maliciously viewbotted, it's a good tool to have.
• Twitch's CPO, Mikey Minty, suggests Preroll Ads may actually be a better option for some creators, as the perceived negatives are overstated. A day later, with perfect comedic timing, Twitch says creators should get rid of Prerolls and increase the amount of midroll ads they run.
• Twitch promoted a Game of Thrones event to creators globally on its dashboard; however, the official rules limit it to US creators. Likely a targeting mistake on Twitch's part.
• Category-Wide Promotions is a new advertising product that allows brands to offer bonus gifted subs when 5+ are gifted. Works similarly to Subtember, but isolated to a single game or category such as IRL. If active in your category, you can't use it in combination with Sub Discounts.
• Twitch Power Ups are now supported by Streamlabs Alerts, Credits, Tip Jar, Labels, Stream Boss, and more.*
• Audio Ads dead? Twitch removed the help article covering the format. This type of ad was pretty limited.
• Twitch launched Football Fest in time for the FIFA World Cup to encourage sidecast content.
• New Badges: Assassin's Creed (💰), Dead by Daylight (💰💰), Dead by Daylight (💰), Chat FC (👀), Football Fest (👀)

🟥 YOUTUBE

• YouTube has reintroduced DMs, allowing 18+ users to share videos and livestreams.
• YouTube is launching a $200 Shorts Bonus for YouTube Shopping affiliates when boosted by select brands.
• YouTube announced its FIFA World Cup 2026 Creator Cup and Creator Roster.
• Faceless creators have taken a hit as YouTube is cracking down on AI slop.

⬛ TIKTOK

• TikTok is testing polls in comments.
• TikTok LIVE announced Community Fest 2026 (June 26 to July 11).
• New research finds TikTok's Not Interested button forgets what you don't like in minutes.
• TikTok is testing Voice Calls in DMs.

🟦 OTHER PLATFORMS

• There's a race to dominate the $100M sports card livestream sales market, and currently it's dominated by Whatnot, Fanatics Live, and eBay Live.
• StockX is launching a livestream service later this summer.
• Spotify is trying to lock down the rights to livestream music festivals.