Twitch ad clippings changes after the banners leave the platform

Twitch is scrapping its new advertising rules, after a backlash that saw streamers leave the platform.

The Amazon-owned streaming service said it will restrict the size and type of ads used by streamers who create content on Twitch.

This would have greatly reduced the ways streamers generate income on the platform.

“Sponsorship is critical to the growth of broadcasters and their ability to earn income,” she said. “We will not block your ability to enter into direct relationships with sponsors – you will continue to own and control your sponsorship business.

“We want to work with our community to create the best experience on Twitch – and to do that, we need to be clear about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it. We value your feedback and your help in making this change.”

It comes a day after Twitch apologized for “confusion” over the new rules and promised to rewrite them.

But British gamer Marco, better known online as Stallion, told BBC News he would still be leaving Twitch, after the original update.

“This is the push I needed to get me off this platform,” he said.

“That’s been something that’s been going through my mind for the last couple of years… The problem with Twitch is that it’s almost undiscoverable – it’s one of those platforms where if you’re not already at the top, you’re not going to be.”

“I understand it’s a business, but there seems to be no thinking about the people on the platform… It’s like it’s all about the money now and we have nothing to do with it.”

The new rules meant that streamers weren’t allowed to include ads, whether video, audio or otherwise, directly into their streams, as well as limiting the size of any banners to just 3% of the screen size.

Streamers usually include ads so that they are visible at all times.

Twitch usually pays them 50% of the money it collects from their subscribers, although some of the biggest streamers take 70 to 30 “revenue share”. But the platform does not receive any of the income it generates from advertising or donations.

In return, YouTubers receive 70% of the revenue from their subscriptions, known as memberships. But YouTube also takes 30% of donations from fans.

The new rules have also caused concern about charitable events like Games Done Quick, which announced in June that it raised $2.2 million for Doctors Without Borders, because they rely so heavily on banners taking up most of the screen.

Which of the new rules will now be rewritten remains unclear – but for some, the damage is done.

“It’s a no-brainer about the people on the platform, whether or not they depend on it for their livelihood,” Stallion said.

“This is a move I should have made years ago – but one I was honestly very afraid to make because it is my full time profession.

“In the long run, this will be the best thing for me.”