Twitch Affiliate vs Partner: what's the difference?
Affiliate and Partner are two separate program levels, not two outcomes of the same onboarding.
Is this your situation?
You completed the Affiliate onboarding steps and expected Partner-level tools or a different revenue split. You want to know what separates the two program levels and what changes if you move from one to the other.
What it is
Affiliate onboarding allows a streamer to monetize their channel. To become a Twitch Affiliate, a broadcaster must meet 4 requirements. Affiliates may be eligible to apply to the Partner program once they meet further requirements. A creator cannot be both a Partner and an Affiliate at the same time. If an Affiliate is fully onboarded, their account details, tax interviews, and payout information carry over when becoming a Partner.
How Twitch handles this
- Both Affiliates and Partners are required to use Two-Factor Authentication for account security.
- Affiliates keep 14 days of VOD storage instead of the standard 7 days.
- Partners have VODs stored for 60 days, versus the standard 7 days.
- Partners can unlock up to 60 channel emotes.
- Entry into the Partner program is not guaranteed even after applying.
Side by side
| Area | Affiliate | Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Must meet 4 requirements. | Must complete the Path to Partner achievement to be considered. |
| VOD storage | 14 days of VOD storage. | 60 days of VOD storage. |
| Emotes | Not stated by Twitch | Up to 60 channel emotes. |
| Ads revenue | Earns money from ads shown on their channel. | Earns a share of the revenue from any ads on their channel. |
| Support access | Can contact Twitch Support with questions about the Affiliate Program. | Has access to a dedicated support team. |
| Applying for Partner | Not stated by Twitch | Applying for Partnership does not guarantee Partnership. |
Common mistakes
- Expecting Affiliate status to upgrade itself to Partner Affiliates may be eligible to apply to Partner once they meet further requirements.Why it happens: Finishing one program's steps is assumed to continue into the other.
- Assuming both programs can run at once A creator cannot be both a Partner and an Affiliate at the same time.Why it happens: The two levels are treated as a combination, not a choice.
- Expecting onboarding details to need re-entry If fully onboarded as an Affiliate, account details, tax interviews, and payout information carry over when becoming a Partner.Why it happens: Carryover applying only when onboarding was complete is simple to overlook.
Quick reference
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Affiliate eligibility | Must meet 4 requirements. |
| Partner path | Completing the Path to Partner achievement in the Dashboard unlocks a button to apply. |
| Both require | Two-Factor Authentication for account security. |
| Affiliate VOD storage | 14 days instead of 7. |
| Partner VOD storage | 60 days instead of 7. |
| Simultaneous status | A creator cannot be both at the same time. |
| Carryover on upgrade | Account details, tax interviews, and payout information carry over if fully onboarded. |
| Partner support | Dedicated support team access. |
Frequently asked questions
Does finishing Affiliate onboarding automatically make me a Partner?
Affiliates may be eligible to apply to the Partner program once they meet further requirements.
Can I hold both Affiliate and Partner status at once?
A creator cannot be both a Partner and an Affiliate at the same time.
Will I lose my information if I move from Affiliate to Partner?
If an Affiliate is fully onboarded, their account details, tax interviews, and payout information carry over when becoming a Partner.
Is applying for Partner the same as being accepted?
Applying for Partnership does not guarantee Partnership.
Keeping track of who has access
Confusion about which program level an account holds, and what each level changes, builds as requirements and onboarding steps pile up. Delvia keeps a record of program status and access changes so the picture stays clear as your channel grows.
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