As a streamer, keeping your viewers engaged with your interactivity is the key to long-term success. Even though your audience is there for you, they’ll never say no to a few more toys. Enter Twitch extensions, small enhancements that can take your stream to the next level.
What are Twitch extensions?
Twitch extensions are small web apps that you run on your stream to add more features. These can transform your stream into an even more interactive experience. The most useful extensions will provide your viewers with more depth of information, alternative ways to engage with each other and become a community, and give you more avenues for monetization.
Don’t mistake these for overlays and alerts. Twitch extensions are installed on your channel from Twitch’s interface. You don’t even need to be an Affiliate or Partner to use them.
How can Twitch extensions improve my stream?
Extensions are not a replacement for being an interactive and engaging streamer on Twitch. They can, however, enhance the experience you’re delivering. With some smart usage and carefully considered applications, your extensions can add more points of interactivity that act as a cherry on top of the already delicious ice cream that is your content.
It’s best to experiment little by little with these applets and avoid going for the “kitchen sink” approach. Too many extensions can be confusing and add more noise than depth to your show. Think carefully about what your viewers like to do on your stream before installing extensions.
Which Twitch extensions should I use?
There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to selecting Twitch extensions. The only real guideline is to think about what kind of stream you run, the games you play, and what sort of interactions you and your viewers enjoy.
That all being said, there are some extensions that stand head and shoulders above the rest.
Game specific extension
A lot of popular games on Twitch have extensions that are specifically designed for them. These typically do one of two things. They either give your viewers more information (not unlike watching stats during a sports match on TV) or enable them to engage with your game directly.
Here are some examples of game-specific extensions on Twitch:
- Hearthstone Deck Tracker
- Legends of Runeterra Deck Tracker
- Path of Exile – Armory Extension
- Dota 2 Tracker
- Destiny 2 Armory Overlay
- World of Warcraft Armory
- Dead Cells – Official Extension
There’s also an extension called Crowd Control that works with over 100 games. It allows viewers to use Bits (if you’re an Affiliate or Partner) to interfere with or control your game in some way. For example, they can choose to mess with your Fall Guys run by inverting your controls.
Sound alerts
Give your viewers the ability to cheer and jeer you with this nifty interactive extension. You can use built-in sounds or create and upload your own to create the ultimate audio experience. It’s a versatile extension that allows you to make your sound bites free to use or alternatively require Channel Points and Bits to play.
StreamLegends
StreamLegends is a community-building extension that puts an RPG within your stream in a meta sort of way. As the streamer, you’ve set up a “town” that your viewers need to develop by upgrading their characters and completing quests. It’s a great way to keep them engaged with your Twitch stream even when there’s a bit of downtime.
Top clip
A big part of streaming on Twitch is clipping. Your viewers will be quick to snip your biggest blunders and greatest successes to share inside and outside your stream. What better way to reward them for it than to keep the best clips front and center? This extension will allow you to do just that and you can even customize for how long the top clips remain in focus.
Enjoy!