Twitch is set to launch its TikTok-inspired discovery feed to all users this month. The new feature allows users to seamlessly browse through both live streams and clips.
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Introducing TikTok-Like Feed
Following almost a year of testing, Twitch officially unveiled the TikTok-style feed during a Patch Notes livestream. This update introduces separate feeds for clips and ongoing live streams, enhancing user experience and streamlining content discovery. The discovery feed will soon debut as a tab integrated into the mobile app.
Moreover, starting next month, certain users may find this feed as the main homepage of their mobile app. Twitch assures that all livestreams and clips complying with its content guidelines will be considered for inclusion in the discovery feed.
When browsing through the live feed, users will encounter live content from creators they follow along with streams suggested by Twitch. If a stream interests you, tap on the creator's avatar to enter theater mode and engage with the livestream.
Conversely, the clips stream presents a collection of short-form videos extracted from Twitch livestreams. Twitch will indicate when a creator is live, allowing viewers to join the stream for more content.
However, ads will be interspersed within the feed, as product manager Jess Sung mentioned during the Patch Notes stream. Sung clarified that while ads will be present, users can continue scrolling past them without interrupting their viewing or browsing experience.
Introducing a vertically-scrolling video feed isn't the only social media-inspired feature making its way to Twitch. In July, the platform also announced its intention to introduce stories, further expanding its range of social functionalities.
Other Social Media Adaptations of TikTok-style Feed
Twitch is now part of a group of companies embracing a TikTok-like format. The streaming giant unveiled its discovery feedback in July, along with several other upcoming features related to clips, such as the option to export clips directly to TikTok.
Amazon has launched a new feature named "Inspire" for its US users, resembling the popular social media platform TikTok. Inspire lets customers explore and buy products tailored to their preferences. It showcases content from fellow shoppers, influencers, and different brands.
Shopping becomes simpler with Inspire. Products shown in photos and videos are tagged on-screen, allowing users to quickly discover more about them, read reviews, and add them to their cart with a simple tap.
Meanwhile, Spotify's Discover feature also shares some similarities with TikTok, but it's not an exact replica. While TikTok thrives as a social network where users actively engage by creating, commenting, liking, following, and influencing content, Discover operates differently.
The intricacies of Discover's functionalities remain somewhat mysterious to users, particularly regarding who creates the short videos, how comments work, and whether users can save videos for later viewing.
Unlike TikTok, where these aspects are central to the user experience, Discover's approach may vary, leaving some users uncertain about its full capabilities and potential for engagement.
