Getting into the game when just starting out is very difficult under the current twitch structure. Having more and smaller streamers in the "Recommended" section of the left panel would help.

Also rearranging the front page structure to group games by genre would not only make the website easier to browse it would break up the focus on very popular single games and streamers. This would also increase diversity of readily accessible games and streamers.

The current layout promotes concentration and stagnation that undermines all streamers on twitch.

I strongly suggest everyone interested in promoting new/small streamers send a vote to this topic:
https://twitch.uservoice.com/forums/297558-general/suggestions/13057284-change-the-model-from-game-stream-to-genre-gam (not mine btw)
breaking up the monopoly on the front page would go a long way to make twitch a more robust and dynamic place.

-Sy_Fox

P.S.: I do still think that those under the 50 follower limit should not be promoted though. This should be left as a basic "proving ground" for new streamers

I think this is a good starting ground and a way to give new streamers a chance to prove themselves.

Quality can be a tricky thing to define, but some algorithms can help bring new and small streamers to the forefront. The left hand panel is under utilized in this regards. Moving the "followed" links to its own tab would free up space to provide links for both top, medium, and small streamers.

the panel easily supports 10 links, perhaps the first 4 for top tiers, 3 for mid tiers, and 3 for the small guys (the 50+ followers group) . This would allow a greater diversity of streamers; and content and go a long way to prevent the slow downward slide of popularity contests.

-Sy_Fox

P.S.: The sub 50 group can still be left to fend for themselves as the "proving ground" to filter for the above mentioned quality

P.P.S.: I strongly suggest people up vote this suggestion:
"Change front page model to Genre > Game Genre > Game > Streamers"
I think this will go a long way to not only improve the front page but to allow smaller streamers more chance to be seen.

https://twitch.uservoice.com/forums/297558-general/suggestions/13057284-change-the-model-from-game-stream-to-genre-gam

I agree as well. Platforms that focus on popularity well eventually concentrate that focus on a small group of overwhelmingly popular people.

This sows the demise of the whole system as people get bored of the top tier and without new, fresh up and coming personalities to replace them, they leave for more interesting venues (Youtube is struggling with this right now)

A suggestion put forward that would go a very long way to distribute popularity and give new comers more opportunity is changing the front page to categorize by genre and sub genre before breaking down into individual streamers.

I strongly suggest people up vote this suggestion:
"Change front page model to Genre > Game Genre > Game > Streamers"
to draw attention to this; not my suggestion btw, but I think worth a big improvement

https://twitch.uservoice.com/forums/297558-general/suggestions/13057284-change-the-model-from-game-stream-to-genre-gam

-Sy_Fox

It's too bad there is not more traction on this. It's importance cannot be understated

The current browse page overly highlights popular games, which the stream page then over highlights popular streamers. This greatly undermines the diversity that twitch has to offer. It also sets a high bar of entry for new comers and encourages stagnation in the top streamers.

This is how communities die.

By focusing on a few big money makers/whales, the platform stagnates, viewers get bored, membership declines, whales move on, and newcomers are too discouraged to stick around. A vibrant and dynamic community is based on the success of these new comers, not the success of a few big cash cows.

Membership is already starting to decline twitch. Take Heed.

-Sy_Fox