Twitch is set to implement a new policy that will significantly affect creators on the platform by capping the storage for Highlights and Uploads to 100 hours starting April 19th. This change aims to reduce storage costs, and Twitch has warned that content exceeding this limit will be automatically deleted.
The streaming giant explains that Highlights have not proven effective in promoting discovery or viewer engagement, leading to the decision to limit stored content. Twitch, owned by Amazon, has faced criticism from streamers regarding this move, especially given its position as a leader in cloud storage.
This update specifically targets Highlights—short edited clips from live broadcasts meant to showcase a streamer’s best moments—along with uploads created through third-party services. Other types of content like Clips and VODs, which are already subject to automatic deletion, will not be affected by this new limit.
For Twitch creators who have already surpassed the cap, there is an opportunity to download their Highlights and Uploads before the new restrictions take effect. After the deadline, content will be deleted starting with the least viewed Highlights. To assist users in managing their content, Twitch is introducing a storage tracker on the Video Producer page, allowing filters by length, view count, and creation date. Once the changes are fully implemented, users will no longer be able to exceed the 100-hour limit for Highlights and Uploads.
Twitch emphasized that this new storage cap, which affects less than 0.5% of active channels and represents less than 0.1% of total hours watched, is intended to help the platform manage resources effectively while continuing to support Highlights and Uploads. This move is also part of Twitch’s commitment to invest in new features that enhance viewer engagement, such as Clips and the mobile feed.
The implications of automatic deletions and the 100-hour cap may particularly impact the speedrunning community on Twitch, where much of their history is preserved through Highlights. While creators can export and upload their content elsewhere, the process can be tedious and may disrupt how speedrunning records are maintained online.
One user voiced concerns on a Twitch forum, stating, “Not just world records, but most every run submitted that was on Twitch is stored as a highlight on speedrun.com. Those highlights include contributions from users who may no longer be active or even alive. This change threatens the integrity of speedrun history.”
