Creators Need Tools to Customize Ad Content
Creators need tools that customize ad content to improve the ad viewing experience on the platform. It is a serious flaw in the system that creators do not have any input on what ad content is shown to their viewers.
To share what prompted this idea, the other night a viewer informed me that they had been shown an ad for Hogwarts Legacy. This was very upsetting, because my stream has become a haven for marginalized folks on the platform (I myself am a triple minority). The promotion of JK Rowling's media on my stream was very upsetting to my entire community, as she is an outspoken bigot who profits off of marginalizing others.
To be clear, my complaint is not about the existence of the Hogwarts Legacy ad. I understand that Twitch profits from running ads on our streams; this was merely one of many ads being shown on the platform. My problems with what happened are the following:
1) The ad was harmful. It actively marginalized folks in my community.
2) The ad made the viewing experience on Twitch far less entertaining for my community.
3) The ad was completely ineffective. No one in my stream supports or condones the product being promoted.
Creators have zero tools available that address the problems I outlined above. We need a tool in our dashboard that allows us to set preferences for the types of ads that would interest our audiences: we need to be able to customize ad content for our viewership.
Let's take another example. Let's say that a streamer knows that they have a disproportionate number of vegetarian or vegan viewers. As of now, creators cannot give the algorithm feedback on their viewers' interests. At some point, these viewers would be shown ads that promote burgers and other meat. Such an ad would not only be a turn off for most of those viewers, but also the ad would be ineffectual in advertising its product.
Broadly speaking, viewers want to see ads for products that interest them, while advertisers want their ads to be effective. Without any tool for creators to customize ad content, ads only have a random chance of intriguing viewers.
If we had tools to customize ad content, it would not only improve the ad experience for the viewer, but also would help advertisements reach target audiences. More effective advertising would make the prospect of ads more appealing to advertisers, generating more revenue for Twitch and creators.
I hope that this suggestion can lead towards improving entertainment on Twitch.
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Sami commented
Came here to make a similar topic because I don't want to see recruitment ads for the British Army on Twitch, and I certainly don't want them showing up on my own channel either
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PH47K47 commented
100%
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MidnightWonko commented
This is a fantastic idea. More focused ads will be far more effective than widespread blind ads. It is like the difference between setting up a shoe shop where a hundred people looking for shoes will pass by, versus where a thousand people will pass by, who are completely uninterested. Better still, it will make a more comfortable environment for those who may be upset by certain ads!
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EunosXX commented
100%.
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QueenChrysalis commented
I just want us all to get along
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theBlueChimp commented
100% this, Vaping helped me escape smoking and now due to the help of Vaping I consume 0 nicotine.
seeing an Anti-Vape *EVERY* Ad break spreading straight up lies and misinformation about vaping really makes me just wanna close the tab if I can't switch to someone I'm subbed to
and I'm seeing this ad everywhere, its toxic and annoying, even on streams were the streamer strait up vapes, like and Ad there is doing nothing productive -
BennyKaPow commented
This would be a great idea! If you're gonna have us show ads then we, the creators, should definitely be able to tailor the ads to fit our individual communities
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JivanYatra commented
Super helpful idea, essential for keeping strong communities engaging with each other on twitch.
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jennadee255 commented
This is a fantastic idea that would improve the viewership experience and community feel of many streams.
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JSR_ commented
I wish I could do this for my community. This is an idea that is also smart business, and that in and of itself should be reason to implement it. But the benefits it offers communities is such a good reason as well.
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MetalMachine commented
Agree 100%. Streamers should have some sort input on what types of ads are being shown on their stream, to fit with their stream content and brand, preferences, etc. This would probably make ads more palatable for viewers as well, since they'd be in line with the streamers they watch, possibly increasing viewership and revenue. This would be a win-win-win, for streamers, viewers and twitch.
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bydand_ commented
Adding to this that for some channels which are not listed as mature shouldn't be shown content for ads such as 'Sex Therapy' where they ask about 'Sexual Identity and Pleasure' to people who could be under 18.
There needs to be some high level standard categories that can be filtered out much like regular television such as:
- Sex Themes
- Drug & Alcohol Themes
- Gambling
- Potentially violent\Disturbing content -
Abraxas86 commented
Agreed! This is something that a lot of platforms fall flat on. If streamers can't pick what ads to run, then at least give viewers the option to pick brands and categories that interest them.
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skulgun commented
Yes
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Ben42 commented
Other sites which serve ads for hosted content allow you to filter what is shown; for example if you don't want gambling ads, you can choose an otpion to opt out. I have often wished for a lack of gambling adverts on my channel.
It would be great to see twitch implement something similar!
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Likara7 commented
Yes, yes and yes. There's certain stuff out there I REALLY don't need an ad reminding me exists, and I'm part of communities who think the same. Showing us such ads are at best ineffectual, and at worse actively harmful. My anxiety is bad enough without worrying about ads reminding me about stuff I don't want to think about.
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SlothBearMillionaire commented
Important and well reasoned idea that absolutely should be implemented.
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WoahItsTony commented
Should've been the way things worked for years, tbh.
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Gaawa_chan commented
To be honest, it's a bit shameful that this wasn't implemented years ago.
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pixlrik commented
This is a fantastic idea and one that I hope Twitch seriously considers implementing. Having complete control over your stream and making sure that it is a comfortable and safe space for everyone is incredibly important.