April 28, 2024
In the streaming industry, Facebook Gaming once stood out as a promising contender, vying for the attention of content creators and viewers alike. Launched in an attempt to capitalize on Facebook’s massive user base, the platform initially drew in both casual gamers and more seasoned streamers. For a time, it looked as though Facebook could pose a real threat to the dominance of Twitch and YouTube in the gaming space.
While it once boasted considerable potential, the platform has seen various setbacks, from lower engagement rates compared to competitors to ongoing struggles with building a dedicated gaming community. As the streaming landscape becomes more competitive, streamers must consider whether Facebook is still a smart choice for their content creation journey.
Why Facebook Gaming was once a strong contender
Initially, Facebook Gaming emerged as a promising alternative to platforms like Twitch and YouTube. With Facebook’s massive user base, streamers had access to an audience that wasn’t solely focused on gaming but also engaged in everyday social media activities. This meant potential exposure to new viewers who might not frequent dedicated gaming platforms.
Some early advantages included:
- Accessibility: Streamers could easily broadcast to friends, groups, and pages. This gave them a level of social integration unmatched by other platforms.
- Monetization: Introducing Facebook Stars, a donation system that helps streamers earn directly from viewers. Combined with ads, subscriptions, and the platform’s Level Up program, streamers found Facebook to be a viable revenue source.
- Algorithm-driven discovery: Facebook’s algorithm helped surface live streams to a broader audience, allowing newer streamers to grow their channels without needing a fanbase.
Despite these early strengths, Facebook Gaming’s potential has waned recently. Twitch continues to dominate live streaming hours, accounting for over 70% of live-stream content watched globally. The culture on Twitch and YouTube is more oriented around long, focused streaming sessions, while Facebook’s audience is more fragmented, often tuning in briefly before returning to other content.
Facebook doesn’t have the same entrenched gaming culture as Twitch. Twitch’s “Just Chatting” category alone has a massive audience, offering creators a versatile space to interact with fans outside gameplay. Facebook lacks a dedicated equivalent, and the sense of community is generally weaker compared to Twitch or YouTube.
Like many aspects of Facebook, its streaming platform is subject to the whims of the ever-changing algorithm. This has made consistent growth harder, as how streams are promoted can vary based on Facebook’s latest adjustments. As a result, some creators have found it more challenging to maintain their audience without spending money on ads or aggressively promoting their content across other channels.
Is Facebook Gaming still a good platform for 2024?
If you’re starting, Facebook Gaming still has potential. It’s far less saturated than Twitch, meaning there’s less competition for viewers. The algorithm-driven discovery may help get your content seen without having an established community already.
The Level Up program also offers an easy entry point to monetization once you’ve hit some initial requirements (100 followers, streams across at least two days, etc.). For beginners who want to focus on a more casual or non-competitive gaming experience, Facebook remains an accessible platform.
Moreover, Facebook’s integration with its broader social platform allows streamers to tap into a potential audience beyond gamers. For example, people already using Facebook might stumble upon a stream, giving new streamers a better chance of growing an audience from friends, family, or other groups.
For more seasoned content creators, Facebook Gaming’s drawbacks may outweigh its benefits. Many streamers who shifted from Twitch or YouTube to Facebook during its early years have since reverted to those platforms. Twitch remains the top choice for most due to its culture, high engagement rates, and dedicated features tailored to streamers (such as emotes sub badges, and tiered subscriptions.
Moreover, Facebook lacks the deep community feel of other platforms. The fragmented nature of Facebook users, many of whom log on for various purposes unrelated to gaming, can make it challenging to build the same sense of community that Twitch streamers often enjoy.
Monetization and Long-Term Viability
Monetization on Facebook is accessible, but its potential is dwarfed by Twitch’s established system of paid subscriptions, bits (Twitch’s version of micro-donations), and partnerships. Twitch allows for a far greater degree of customization and community involvement, making it a more attractive choice for streamers looking to monetize long-term.
Additionally, platforms like YouTube Gaming offer a more evergreen content model. Once a video is uploaded to YouTube, it remains discoverable through search engines indefinitely. Facebook streams, in contrast, often fade quickly after they go offline, limiting long-term growth potential.
In 2024, Facebook Gaming still holds value, especially for new and casual streamers looking to build an audience in a less competitive space. The integration with Facebook’s social ecosystem and relatively low barrier to entry makes it appealing for those wanting a more casual experience.
However, Twitch and YouTube remain far superior options for professional or established streamers. These platforms offer a better sense of community, superior engagement features, and more robust monetization opportunities. As it stands, Facebook Gaming may need help to reclaim the momentum it had in its early days, particularly as other platforms continue to improve and innovate.
Ultimately, the choice depends on the type of streamer you are and your long-term goals. Facebook is still worth exploring for casual streamers, but if you’re serious about growth and community-building, it might be time to look elsewhere.