The ultimate guide to how to stream on Twitch

Twitch live streaming has become extensively popular in recent years as viewers start seeking authenticity in what they watch online.

Due to the nature of the platform, which offers a variety of opportunities to content creators as well, many of them have started looking for ways how to stream on Twitch and become popular streamers themselves. You might be one of them!

The good news is that whether you’re a gamer or an artist looking for a platform to connect with your targeted audience, Twitch provides a space for anyone. You just need this guide to know how to take the right steps. Let’s learn how to go live on Twitch together!

1) Start streaming: Create your Twitch account

The very first step of streaming starts with creating yourself an account – which is completely free, so you don’t have to worry about extra fees.

You can either download the Twitch app or start the process on your desktop PC. By choosing a username and completing a few simple steps, you can create your account and start setting up your online personality – of course, while following community guidelines as you shape your Twitch channel.

Make sure to enable two-factor authentication, so that you can increase your account’s safety and give necessary permissions for live streaming so that you can smoothly set your pieces of equipment and software.

2) Choose the ideal streaming software for Twitch streams

Speaking of software, you need to choose an ideal one that you can use on streaming platforms – as they can enhance your video quality. 

As you can guess, once you start streaming, you can’t edit your video, so you need to be fully prepared to not have any issues once you go live. The best way to do it is to choose streaming software. This can ensure you can provide high-quality videos to your viewers, which they favor, and not have any interruptions during the streaming.

While Twitch Studio offers you everything you might need for live streaming, using additional software such as OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software) can be a good option too as by using it, you can stream on other platforms at the same time.

So, as think of your options about how to stream on Twitch,  make sure to choose the ideal software that delivers good video and audio quality.

3) Get the necessary equipment for live streams

In addition to broadcasting software that can enhance your videos, using the necessary pieces of equipment can help you avoid a laggy stream as well. This is necessary especially if you want to build a career as a streamer in the long run.

You might have noticed that most of the other streamers invest a lot in their equipment – whether it’s streaming computer monitor, Nintendo Switch, gaming consoles, Xbox Series, and many more that can capture the attention of their viewers. They invest in equipment that can increase engagement and their investment often returns them with bigger income.

If you’re on a tight budget, however, you just need a good computer and a solid internet connection to ensure you have the ideal upload speed. For those gearing up for Twitch streaming, selecting the right equipment is crucial. A high-performance PC can make all the difference in stream quality. Exploring options for PCs for gaming tailored for streamers can ensure a lag-free and engaging broadcast experience.

You can consider investing in a gaming PC or gaming console – and instead of a dual computer setup,  you can just get one computer and improve its performance with a graphic card and capture card, Intel Core, or AMD Equivalent. You can use Tom’s Guide to get reviews about technology devices.

Furthermore, instead of getting all the equipment at once, you can slowly purchase them to have better Twitch stream sessions.

4) Twitch chat: Increase engagement

The main point of how to stream on Twitch isn’t all about ways to broadcast gameplay – as a content creator, it’s mostly about building a loyal following since no one would like to have just three viewers watching their content. 

First of all, Twitch recommends creators with a high rate of engagement, and with such numbers, creators can’t get in the list of recommendations, and naturally, can’t earn money. This is why many of them also look for ways of getting more followers on Twitch and use other forms of communication to increase their engagement. Click here to grow your account within minutes!

This is why, while playing games, they also occasionally join any chat room in just chatting category to promote their channels. This approach helps them to reach a wider audience and increase the number of their viewers as they start broadcasting.

How to go live on Twitch on a computer

Streaming on Twitch on a computer comes with flexible options as you can utilize Twitch Studio, another software, and even go live on multiple platforms at the same time. To go live on PC:

  • Get your operating system ready – prepare your camera, choose the frame rate on the graphics card, and ensure the audio quality is appropriate on your mic.
  • Log in to your Twitch account and connect your software with ideal processing power to the platform.
  • Customize your stream details – choose a stream name, background, and everything else to make your stream engaging.
  • Go live to meet your audience!

How to go live on Twitch mobile app

If you want to stream directly from your mobile devices to show a mobile game, here are the steps you can follow:

  • Firstly, you need to download the Twitch app to your mobile device. You can find it on the Play Store or App Store and easily install it on your device.
  • Then, log in to your Twitch account following the necessary process. Give permission for Twitch to access your microphone and camera.
  • In the top left corner, tap on your profile picture, which will lead you to a screen with a Go Live button.
  • Simply tap on the Go Live button to set the stream details and start streaming on Twitch.

You can also get a decent pair of software to film both yourself and the screen during the stream. You can also use the same process for the game consoles.

Twitch streaming FAQs

Here are the commonly asked questions about how to stream on Twitch:

What can You stream on Twitch?

You can stream yourself playing popular games such as Apex Legends, listening to music, creating art, or just a conversation kind of content based on your interest and target audience preferences.

Is having a high number of stream viewers important?

Yes, especially if you want to gain income through subscription services or influencer marketing, having more viewers comes with benefits on Twitch.

Can you invite guests on Twitch after you started streaming?

Yes, you can bring guests to your live streaming by clicking on the Invite button located in the right panel.