Kick, the Amazon-owned streaming platform, has emerged as a formidable rival of Twitch. After years of declining competition from Mixer, Kick has become the go-to place for gamers to stream games.
Last December, Kick made headlines when Trainwreck, one of Twitch’s longstanding popular content creators, announced his collaboration with them.
Twitch vs Kick
“Twitch has built an empire off our backs and the audacity to spit in all our faces by not only providing us with no financial security through their inconsistent policies, but they’ve even cut our pay in places they have no right to cut,” he declared.
Trainwreck’s growing disdain for the established platform left many curious as to what sets Twitch and Kick’s guidelines and Terms of Services (ToS) apart. We’ve done the legwork so you don’t have to, by reviewing both platforms’ policies in this article and explaining their distinctions.
Twitch and Kick streaming have distinct revenue splits for content creators, with most receiving 50-50 revenue share. A select few streamers retain 70% of subscription income, though this deal cannot be extended to everyone on the platform due to contractual restrictions.
Kick, on the other hand, gives creators a whopping 95 percent share of all subscription income along with 100% of tips earned.
This generous split has drawn criticism from numerous observers; former Twitch staffer DJWheat even went so far as to label the platform a “sham.” Other creators such as YouTuber Ludwig have simply suggested that this business model appears suspicious.
Trainwreck said she chose Kick because their investors are willing to listen and incorporate creator input to improve the platform. They understand that success lies in having a successful streamer, so I’ve already worked closely with their team on creating benefits no other platform offers.”
Twitch, on the other hand, is an acclaimed streaming platform with millions of users that allows them to broadcast a range of content livestreamed – gaming, arts, music and more – for viewers and streamers alike. It offers multiple monetization options for streamers while boasting a vibrant community.
In order to accurately compare Twitch and “Kick,” or any other streaming platform, it’s essential to take into account factors such as audience size, user experience, monetization options, community engagement opportunities, platform features and specific goals or preferences of streamers and viewers.
If “Kick” is an individual platform or service, I suggest visiting their official website or conducting a web search to gather more information on its offerings, features and how they compare with Twitch or other streaming platforms.
Apologies, for any confusion caused, and I hope this clarifies the limits of my knowledge regarding this specific topic.
Gambling
Twitch does not permit users to share links or affiliate codes to sites offering slots, roulette and dice games and has banned anyone from streaming these gambling websites that aren’t licensed in either the U.S. or other jurisdictions that provide adequate consumer protection.
Four prominent gambling websites are currently banned on Twitch: stake.com, rollbit.com, duelbits.com and roobet.com.
Twitch streamers can still broadcast online poker, sports betting and fantasy sports.
Kick has a similar policy: “Gambling on Kick with other users is strictly prohibited,” according to their community guidelines. This includes any form of ‘buy in’ from users using Kicks as well as sweepstakes and lotteries.”
Kick offers streaming of various types of gaming, such as online poker and blackjack, depending on the laws in their country. Due to Kick’s lax regulations, some popular streaming names like Trainwreck have been allowed to stream gambling content.
General Restrictions
Both streaming platforms support free speech and prohibit hateful conduct. Unfortunately, Adin Ross’ experience on the platform suggests there may not be sufficient moderation on the platform.
Twitch does not tolerate behavior that promotes hatred, prejudice or intolerance, including behavior that promotes discrimination, denigration, harassment or violence based on protected characteristics like race, ethnicity, color, caste national origin immigration status religion sex gender identity sexual orientation disability serious medical condition and veteran status,” read the company’s community guidelines. There are several examples of what can get you banned from the platform in these guidelines.
Trainwreck has promised that Kick’s Terms of Service (ToS) will be more explicit than Twitch’s and won’t include “ambiguous bans.” Unfortunately, the platform has far fewer terms and guidelines in place, leaving room for interpretation. Furthermore, Adin Ross streamed the Super Bowl without authorization while pulling up PornHub while streaming on Kick. Nonetheless, these statements remain controversial today.
Kick prohibits activities, livestreams, videos and comments which are “harmful, deceptive, offensive or illegal,” content that encourages such behaviors and hate speech that attacks someone or group based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, medical or mental condition, disability age sexual orientation gender identity.”
Kick’s guidelines also strictly prohibit content that causes or promotes emotional distress, involves threats or harassment, impersonates people or organizations, doxxing and defamation, encourages violent conduct and “persistently shares harmful misinformation,” contains nudity or is pornographic in nature or depicts sexual activity.
Twitch also prohibits sexually explicit content, sexually suggestive content and nudity. Both platforms allow “hot tub streams,” though which have been criticized as being sexually suggestive.
Advertising
Twitch has provided several steps for streamers who wish to incorporate advertising during their livestreams, such as alerting the audience before running an ad, running one ad per hour and running multiple short ads instead of just one long ad. Furthermore, ads must be “clear, accurate, and verifiable” in order to protect potential customers according to Amazon.
Kick is still in its early stages and lacks detailed guidelines for advertising like Twitch does. Trainwreck stated, however, that Kick will prioritize this aspect since advertising “drives” revenue.
Trainwreck reported, “Kick will partner with some of the world’s premier advertisers to generate cash flow.”
Nearly three months after Trainwreck’s announcement, no advertisement revenue has yet materialized and there is no indication that it will anytime soon.
