Top 5 Twitch Overlay Types Streamer Needs To Maximize Engagement

Highlight Your Stream

Webcam Boxes & Chat Boxes

What are Webcam Boxes and Chat Boxes?:

Cam borders for your webcam stream, chat boxes from intermission scenes and any labels to showcase latest events such as subscribers, followers and so on.

Why do Webcam Boxes and Chat Boxes matter?:

Structure your stream with these important Twitch overlays to present a professional look to your viewers.
Keep your stream structured by separating sections using frames.
Create focus on different areas of your stream, drawing attention to parts that you want to showcase.
Grab viewer attention and make sure your stream is clutter free.

Streamer tips for using Webcam Boxes and Chat Boxes:

Keep them minimal and interesting, whilst bearing in mind that your Twitch overlays should not overtake the actual content.
When creating your brand, you want your Twitch overlays to be consistent and to flow with your other designs.
Animated webcam boxes and chat boxes give an extra layer of dynamic movement to your stream and are more visually interesting and engaging for your viewers.

Hype Up Your Stream

Hype Train Widgets & Goal Bar Widgets

What are Hype Train Widgets & Goal Bar Widgets?:

Goal Bar widgets are used by the streamer to set a goal to work towards - usually number of followers, subscribers or donations.
Hype Train widgets show the progression towards a set goal to build interest and hype in the chosen goal.
Both show real time updates to track progress with.

Why do Hype Train Widgets & Goal Bar Widgets matter?:

Both of these Twitch overlays visually display a goal that you are working towards to your viewers. Displaying your goals on stream using widgets creates an interest in the goals itself.
Drives engagement with the goal to build upon the hype with your community.
Gets your viewers to interact with your stream to push you towards the chosen goal by following, subscribing or donating.

Streamer tips for using Hype Train Widgets & Goal Bar Widgets:

Make sure your goal is achievable and believable - this will make your viewers more likely to contribute.
Connect your goal to a celebration for when you fulfil it such as alerts, or content related such as special events or challenges.
Use sparingly and not clutter your screen.

Interact With Your Stream

Animated Alerts

What are Animated Alerts?:

Animated Alerts are dynamic motion designs that signify an event or trigger has been fulfilled, that then notifies the stream of the achievement. For example, new follows, subscribers, bits, superchats, members and so forth.
These Twitch overlays come in several different types - animated alerts and 3D animated alerts. Both are available in a range of designs, and 3D alerts tend to be for bigger celebrations and wins.

Why do Animated Alerts matter?:

Animated Alerts instantly confirm and recognize viewer interactions. This both acknowledges the trigger that came from the viewer and indirectly thanks them for their contribution.
Between the pop up animations, the visual stimulation and seeing their name on your stream - viewers will be encouraged to keep interacting to trigger more alerts.

Streamer tip for using Animated Alerts:

Keep your alerts on theme for your branding, quick and impactful as to not block your content.
Consider 3D chest alerts for bigger celebrations.

Structure Your Stream

Countdown Timers Widgets

What are Countdown Timer Widgets?:

Countdown Timer Widgets display a timer on your stream that counts down using a timer you set to an event of your choosing.
These Twitch overlays can be used over the top of content or other overlays such as starting soon screens.

Why do Countdown Timers matter?:

Using a timer keeps your viewers engaged in your stream.
Signify when events are starting by giving your audience a wait time that will mean they do not click off your stream.
Countdown widgets can be used to signify when a stream is starting, when you are returning from a break, community events, time left before a challenge finishes and more.

Streamer tips for using Countdown Timers?:

Use your timers constructively and at appropriate times so they are more impactful.
Make sure that your style of countdown timer matches the rest of your Twitch overlays.
Countdown timers are ideal for if you need to take a break to keep your viewers watching whilst you are not on screen.

Engage With Your Stream

Event Labels & Stream Labels

What are Event Label Widgets & Stream Label Widgets?:

Event Label Widgets & Stream Label Widgets showcase the latest events and interactions that have happened on your stream.
These display for both current viewers and new viewers who join after the event has taken place.
Labels include followers, subscribers, bits, superchats and so on.

Why do Event Label Widgets and Stream Label Widgets matter?:

Events and labels bring attention to events that have been triggered long after the alert has finished displaying. They give a level of recognition to the viewer who triggered the event - follower, subscriber or similar.
This level of recognition encourages more of your viewers to interact to get the same effect and have their name displayed on your stream.

Streamer tips for using Event Label Widgets and Stream Label Widgets:

Highlight the events you want displayed so that they are the events that are interacted with - looking to increase subs? Make subs your label of choice. Rotate them to drive engagement .
Link to alerts to create the most impact.

TL;DR

Twitch overlays, StreamElements widgets, animated alerts and more are tools to drive engagement on your stream and encourage viewers to interact with events, goals and more. Using these will boost the visual impact of your stream, make it more entertaining and interactive for your viewers, and drive up numbers of specific goals that you pick.

For more streaming tips, go on over to our Blogs & Guides pages.

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Happy BH Weekend,
Em