Twitch frequently tests or adds new features to its platform that have been requested by its streamers or community. The latest example comes due to frustrations with how Twitch elevates or enables streamers to climb in viewers or general visibility through Twitch's directories. The feature that Twitch has come up with is called "Boosts" and allows Twitch users to pay to boost their favorite streamers. Needless to say, the Boost feature is already creating controversy within the Twitch community.
The Boost feature is, for the time being, available to just a small subset of Twitch streamers' channels. As such, specific details about how Twitch Boost works aren't available, nor is it easy to track which channels are actively using Boosts. What is known is that Boosts allow viewers to pay real money to Twitch, not to the streamer, for "Recommendations." A $.99 payment, for example, provides 1,000 recommendations, with a maximum contribution of nearly $500.
Twitch's decision to implement paid Boosts is controversial for a variety of reasons. The largest of which being Twitch itself appears to take all of the money from boosts. In other words, Twitch is profiting off of its own discoverability issues that streamers have asked it to fix for years. Further, the value of paying for a Twitch Boost isn't transparent or meaningful. Paying for boosts doesn't guarantee anything. It may not even do anything, for all anyone knows.
In one example, Twitch streamer Steven Spohn of Able Gamers has told his viewers, "PLEASE do not spend your money on this." Spohn further decries Twitch's Boost feature, saying that it "takes advantage of people" who want their favorite streamers to succeed. Further, he believes that "this move will disappoint and potentially destroy many people." That's obviously a very serious claim from Spohn, but goes to show how strong of feelings some Twitch streamers have regarding the current situation.
In Twitch's defense, this is just a test. It isn't the only test Twitch is doing, either. Twitch is also reportedly testing an identical system where Boosts are purchased with channel points, the per-channel currency viewers earn just by watching, rather than real money. That system would likely be easier to swallow by Twitch streamers and viewers, but it doesn't answer the question regarding whether Boosts provide any real value.
It's unclear how long Twitch's test of the Boost feature will last. Streamers are able to post feedback via Twitch's UserVoice platform, while viewers can contact Twitch via social media to share their thoughts. There's no simple answer to helping small Twitch channels with discoverability, but a paid Boost system where Twitch reaps all the profits seems the opposite of what streamers and viewers have been asking for.