Twitch Takes on TikTok with Launch of Discovery Feed: A New Era in Short-Form Video?

In response to the uncertain future of TikTok in the US following recent legislation, Amazon’s live streaming platform Twitch has rolled out its own short-form video service. Named Discovery Feed, the platform allows users to browse through bite-sized clips sourced from Twitch’s extensive library of livestreams.

While Twitch primarily features creators livestreaming video games or engaging with audiences for extended periods, Discovery Feed aims to offer quick, entertaining snippets for on-the-go viewing. Unlike TikTok, where users upload their own short videos, Twitch relies on viewers to curate highlights from livestreams.

The content on Discovery Feed is tailored to users’ preferences, utilizing watch history and real-time interactions to personalize the experience. However, it’s yet to emerge as a significant competitor to TikTok, with early posts ranging from a professor’s class welcome to a streamer’s street encounter.

With TikTok facing pressure to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance due to national security concerns, platforms like Twitch are exploring opportunities to capture market share in the short-form video space. Despite TikTok’s attempts to emulate features like live streaming, Twitch remains dominant in its niche.

Notably, Twitch creators won’t receive a share of ad revenue generated on Discovery Feed, as ads are displayed between clips rather than within them. This move indicates Twitch’s strategy to monetize short-form content without directly compensating streamers.

As Twitch ventures into short-form video, it remains to be seen how it will fare against established players like TikTok, especially amidst regulatory uncertainties surrounding the latter.