Twitch AI Opt Out, Do It For The Instagzam, TikTok Content Calendar, and Shroud AFK

Hello and welcome to mid-August! The biggest story of the week is that Twitch knows that if they gave you the ability to opt in to AI training, no one would. The quiet part is being screamed at the top of Mikey Minty's lungs. And this is such a reflection of the times that it's completely understandable why everyone is so stressed out and why everything around us feels like it's getting worse (even as these platforms tell us everything is getting better). Twitch has done a lot to say 'we do not care what you think' to the community indirectly in the past - but never this overtly. And the saddest part is that I don't see this beatdown across the internet slowing down, and certainly not on Twitch.

So, in the face of the weirdest times imaginable as a content creator, I will reiterate my strongest advice: Diversify and Decentralize. Diversify where you create and how you create - being reliant on ONE place is a recipe for disaster in the years ahead. And Decentralize - move income off main platforms to other sources. If you earn over 75%+ of your revenue from one platform, gradually shift SOME of that revenue to other places. It's hard to do; it takes time, BUT it will make you more flexible and sustainable as a creator. Aureylian, formerly a YouTuber and current Global Head of Player Community at Riot Games, shared a similar sentiment from her time as a creator during the YouTube Adpocalypse. But with that, let's get into the updates from last week!

SPONSORED

Streamlabs Network Boost is now available! This new feature lets you pair multiple network connections for a more stable IRL stream! So your phone, plus your friend's phone, or the free convention WiFi can all help deliver a strong streaming signal.

Go check it out and see how Streamlabs will help improve your IRL streams! (And if you saw me share this announcement a couple weeks ago, no, you didn't!)

Network Boost Me!

🟪 TWITCH

• Twitch officially announced that all on-platform content was now being used to train Amazon AI, announced indirectly via an Amazon AI Training Opt-Out. Everyone is opted in by default, which went as well as you can imagine. CPO Mikey Minty said the quiet part out loud: if they made it Opt-In, no one would opt in. They also aren't sure if Amazon has already been training using creator data. A 404 Media report says they've been prototyping since 2024. You can opt out here.
• Twitch's own channel is opting out of Amazon's AI Training.
• GamesMarket shared the potential legal issues (in Europe) with Twitch's new AI training.
• The Terms of Service were updated with a couple of interesting changes.
• They also updated the Privacy Notice.
• Creator Badge Drops now have an optional Top Supporter Reward.
• Twitch is working on a Boss Battle feature that requires subs, gifts, and Bits to beat.
• Twitch is testing a Streak Save alert in the sidebar. Though, with how it's designed, I have to wonder if the Twitch AI is doing all the work...
• The Creator Profiles now have a new "Sponsorship Highlight" as part of the sponsorship product.
• Between now and August 27, you can earn 2 months of Audible and some chat badges by subscribing to a creator.
• The latest Amazon Ads GameLift enables a 25-minute Dragon Age playable demo on Twitch.
• Twitch's VP of Global Business Development, Craig Knapp, left the company after nearly 10 years. Twitch rehired Michael Olson to replace him.
• Twitch hired Christine Cassis as Chief Marketing Officer.
• 👀 New Watch Time Badges: Resonance, Blood of Dawnwalker, League of Legends
• Twitch promoted Bill Simmons' gambling podcast seemingly to a global audience (at random).
• Chilean subscription prices increased from 3000 CLP to 3570 CLP.

🟥 YOUTUBE

• YouTube is again testing Search Inside This Video.
• YouTube is testing Shorts as the default experience when you open the app. People are not loving it.
• YouTube attempts to explain the changes to the Partner Program from last week.

⬛ TIKTOK

• TikTok is launching a Campaign Calendar for LIVE opportunities.
• TikTok is testing LIVE group chats for circles of viewers.

🟦 OTHER PLATFORMS

• Huya's earnings were up 11% year-over-year, but the fair stock value was cut to $3.60 USD due to livestreaming reset risk.
• Beam, Pilled, and VPZone launched a global streaming alliance.
• Kick is attempting to address brand suitability concerns to sell its ads.