Eddie Craven: Kick Remains Creator-Focused As Ads Contribute Little Revenue

Khizar Mundia Published 05/10/2026

Kick initially prioritized the viewing experience and didn’t add ads to its content, which is why it was a major surprise when the platform finally started showing adverts. CEO Eddie Craven has addressed some of the criticism, revealing that ads are a minor revenue source for Kick, and reiterated that the platform remains creator-first in its approach.

Ads initially appeared on Kick in May 2026, which sparked a backlash from creators. Eddie Craven addressed the issue, revealing that Kick was just testing them and they would only be shown in gambling broadcasts initially.

Kick rolled out ads platform-wide in August 2026, with some users expressing concern, as the platform’s creator documentation stated that ads won’t generate revenue for creators. This concern was heightened when non-monetized channels seemingly started showing ads. Eddie Craven addressed the issue again during a recent Kick Talks stream, revealing that the platform isn’t making significant ad revenue and assuring creators that they are the priority.

Eddie Craven talks Kick ads and creator payout

During a recent stream, Andrew Santamaria asked Eddie Craven whether Kick streamers were being paid for ads that are shown on their content. Craven quickly stated that Kick creators are taken care of, as the KPP gives them “19x the traditional ad revenue”. He elaborated that Kick pays its creators a lot of money as ads are getting rolled out to a broader audience. The CEO revealed that ads are still primarily being shown in the Slots and Casino category, with adverts in other sections being “very rare”.

Image credit: Eddie Craven

Eddie Craven then stated that this is why ads make up an insignificant amount of revenue for Kick. He said that Kick will address this concern further as ads increase on the platform; Craven based this on the claim that KPP is rewarding creators generously, and the platform is putting creators first, which he believes should quash any concerns.

☑️ My Analysis: How Kick ads compare to Twitch’s

Eddie Craven is strongly focusing on KPP being one of the leading revenue sources in the streaming space. However, some users have pointed out that creators don’t have the choice to turn off ads and viewers can’t skip them, but Kick is the one profiting from adverts. While the initial logic that Kick ads aren’t generating much revenue, so creators aren’t getting a cut, makes sense, Craven repeatedly talking about KPP has raised some eyebrows.

For comparison, Twitch shares ad revenue with creators, and this source is reportedly one of the largest contributors to several streamers’ total earnings. The Amazon-backed platform treats ads as an actual creator monetization stream, and also gives creators the option to turn them off or limit them significantly. Craven seemingly believes that KPP should be enough for creators. There is no denying that KPP is apparently a massive revenue boost for several creators, but the question that arises is: should ad earnings also be added to creator payouts?

Featured image credit: Kick

Khizar Mundia

About Khizar Mundia

Khizar Mundia has been playing video games for as long as he can recall. Things have come a long way since the many days he spent playing the original NES, though. He now covers a variety of competitive games and esports, as well as the world of streaming, ranging from Twitch to Kick. If it’s of interest to gamers, it’s of interest to Khizar.

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