Twitch is the #1 live streaming platform for gamers. Here's how to set up your channel and go live for the first time.
Twitch is all about live streaming — unlike YouTube, people come to Twitch specifically to watch streams happening right now. It has a huge gaming community, but you can stream art, music, cooking, or anything you enjoy. Best of all, it's completely free to use.
You must be at least 13 years old to create a Twitch account. If you're under 13, ask a parent to create the account and stream together with you supervising.
Go to twitch.tv and click "Sign Up." Pick a username — this is your streamer name, so choose something cool! Add a profile picture and write a short bio about what you stream.
OBS Studio (obsproject.com) is the most popular free streaming software. Download it for free on Windows, Mac, or Linux. Run the auto-setup wizard — it handles most settings automatically.
In OBS, go to Settings → Stream → choose "Twitch" as the service. Click "Connect Account" and log in to Twitch. OBS will automatically get your stream key. That's it — you're connected!
In OBS, click the "+" under "Sources" and choose "Game Capture" (to capture a game) or "Display Capture" (to show your whole screen). Preview the stream to make sure everything looks right.
Go to twitch.tv and click "Channel" → "Stream Manager" → "Edit Stream Info." Add a fun title and pick the correct game category. A good title + category helps people discover your stream.
In OBS, click "Start Streaming." Check Twitch to confirm you're live. Now start talking, playing, and having fun. Say hi to viewers when they show up!
The hardest part about Twitch is the discovery problem — it's hard to be found with zero viewers. The fix? Don't rely only on Twitch. Post clips, engage in Discord servers, and post your stream schedule on Reddit or Twitter so people can find you.
Once you reach 50 followers, stream for 8 hours across 7 different days, and average 3 viewers — you can apply for Twitch Affiliate. As an Affiliate, viewers can subscribe to your channel (starting at $4.99/month) and you keep half. You can also earn from Bits (virtual tips) and ad revenue.
If you're under 18, you'll need a parent or guardian to handle any earnings or payment setup. Always include a parent in any decisions about monetization.
You don't need expensive equipment to start — but the right free tools make a big difference.
See the Free Gear Guide →