Valkyrae, a prominent figure in the streaming community, has recently disclosed the main factor prompting her departure from YouTube to Twitch after five years of streaming on the Google platform. On December 29, 100 Thieves co-owner Valkyrae confirmed her transition to Twitch, sparking curiosity among her fans.
Initially, Valkyrae was one of the earliest streamers to migrate from Twitch to YouTube, signing her first contract in January 2020. Her return to Twitch has ignited discussions regarding her motivations, and she has shared a significant insight into her decision.
Insights from Valkyrae: Why She’s Switching Platforms
In the latest episode of her podcast, Press Esc, Valkyrae elaborated on her perspective regarding streaming on YouTube. She pointed out that the platform is inherently video-centric, stating: “YouTube is always going to be video first, right? [They’re also] focusing on Shorts. They’ve told me that their priority is Shorts.” This focus on short-form content, she notes, detracts from the streaming experience.
Valkyrae expressed frustration with certain aspects of YouTube’s streaming capabilities, highlighting that despite her presence for five years, the changes she hoped for never materialized. She emphasized, “No matter what, YouTube is a video-first platform. So, if you’re streaming on YouTube, you’re competing with every single YouTube video.” This sentiment brings to light the challenges streamers face in gaining visibility on a platform dominated by video content.
(Discussion begins at 11:30 in the podcast)
Valkyrae further clarified her stance by noting that she does not regularly upload videos to YouTube. Instead, she identifies predominantly as a streamer, stating, “I view myself as a streamer because I barely upload YouTube videos. I don’t think it works with the type of content I would want to upload.” This recognition of her identity as a streamer influenced her decision heavily.
She also added, “If I were uploading YouTube videos every day I would probably still stream on YouTube. But because I don’t, I consider myself a streamer, and there are things that I wanted YouTube to prioritize or change for the streaming side of it that [never happened].” This observation underlines the disparity between the streaming functionalities of various platforms.
Moreover, Valkyrae contrasts the intentions of viewers on each platform: “When people go to Twitch, they go there to watch streamers. When people go to YouTube, they go there to watch videos.” This differentiation in audience expectations further emphasizes her rationale for switching platforms.
Valkyrae’s move is not isolated; other streamers have made similar transitions. Notably, Ludwig also moved back to Twitch after concluding his YouTube contract in November, where he embarked on an extensive 100-hour League of Legends stream.
For more insights and details about Valkyrae’s streaming journey, you can read further at the source.
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