Twitch has announced a significant update to its mobile app, introducing a fresh approach to video streaming that emphasizes vertical video formats. This new portrait update allows users to view on-demand short clips from their favorite creators, 1:1. It expands their ability to experience full length live streams, a surprisingly early and dramatic shift for the platform. The updates are designed to increase user engagement by mirroring features introduced on trendsetting platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok.
There are on-demand clips captured from all of the streams, all of which are now available in a new vertical aspect ratio directly within the updated mobile app. This addition aligns Twitch’s offerings even more closely with mobile user intent. These users are quickly getting used to consuming content on the go, or in other words, in portrait mode. Twitch is going a big step further by providing the first-ever live streams in a native vertical format. This decision helps to address the growing public appetite for mobile-friendly viewing experiences.
Emulating Popular Trends
Recently Twitch announced plans to embrace the vertical video trend. This initiative falls within a more comprehensive approach to woo audiences away from social media behemoths such as Instagram and TikTok. Both these platforms have made live streaming work within their portrait-oriented structures. It’s no wonder this feature has been a hit with users. With the hopes of attracting a younger demographic that’s more into Short-Form, Snackable, Easily Digestible Content™, Twitch has launched a feature that’s apparently quite similar.
Market intelligence firm TechCrunch has found evidence in Twitch’s app code that points to this move towards vertical video formats. This revelation underscores Twitch’s commitment to evolving its platform and making it more accessible and appealing to users who prefer engaging with content on their mobile devices.
Revamped Mobile App Experience
Last year, Twitch launched a feed—much like the one on TikTok—that highlights streamers and short clips uploaded by users. This feed is just one element of the long process of redoing Twitch’s mobile app, an effort that’s focused on making the experience more friendly and approachable. With this new update, the app is now providing a scrollable, visually rich feed of recommended videos that cater to each user’s specific interests.
The reshuffled feed is designed to give priority to streams from creators, including lesser-known creators, helping viewers find and watch even more content. By providing a seamless transition between on-demand clips and live streams, Twitch is positioning itself as a versatile platform for both casual viewers and dedicated fans.
Future Implications for Twitch
Twitch is increasingly moving into new vertical video formats. This change is sure to affect the ways creators make content for TikTok. This trend incentivizes creators to dramatically alter their gaming streams. They’ll redesign their content styles to fit more with how consumers prefer to watch things on mobile. Beyond that, Twitch’s decision could have major implications for other streaming services that want to improve people’s ability to watch content on their phones.
