Twitch Etiquette (for viewers)

SparkleCat

January 24, 2023 15 mins to read

Follow the Chat Rules

Chat rules are a specific pre-written book of law by the streamer or their moderators. These help them to all be on the same page and to create a safe and welcoming environment for viewers and the content creator. Here’s an example of how they may look:

No hate speech or discrimination: this includes racist, sexist, or otherwise offensive language or behaviour.
No spamming or flooding the chat: This means not repeating the same message multiple times or sending large amounts of text in a short period of time.
No sharing of personal information: This includes your own information and that of others. Keep things safe and secure by not posting personal information in the chat.
No self-promotion or advertising: This includes promoting your own stream, channel, or product without the streamer’s permission.
No cheating or exploiting glitches: This includes using cheats, hacks, or other methods to gain an unfair advantage while watching a stream.

For the majority of streamers, this list will look the same. To make sure you live by their laws, you can find them in the following places:

In the Panels

Every Twitch profile has a panel section underneath their stream. This section will show and explain what the channel is about, but in this case, it will sometimes give you the chat rules in a neatly ordered manner.

Here you can see one of my panels. Of course, these will differ based on the streamer. So make sure you give that wheel a scroll and check it out.

In the Chat Settings

Here you can see one of my panels. Of course, these will differ based on the streamer. So make sure you give that wheel a scroll and check it out.

In a Chat Command

Sometimes, rules are a bit more collaborative or need a hyperlink. Here, I’m thinking about people who care more about the behaviour of people than default streamers. It is usually found in streams for all ages. You could also use a chat command to link to this blog post.

Support the Streamer

There are plenty of ways to support your favourite streamer, also without spending money. Here is a comprehensive list:

Follow and Share

Easy as that. All you have to do is click that follow button and share their stream with a friend. Imagine if everyone did that once. Your streamer will grow exponentially.

Chat and be active

Chat activity is one of the most important factors for a Twitch streamer. Having a high-quality active chat defines a creator’s community. This does not mean you have to share every little bit of your life, or even worse: trauma dump, but interact with your streamer. Clip fun moments, use the channel point redemptions, use their in-chat loyalty points, join their community events and react to questions they may ask you.

Join the community

Discord is one of the most used community platforms used by Twitch streamers. The fun you’re having in their stream goes on in their server. From discussions about hobbies, games and food to minigames and off-stream community events. Be aware that this place also has rules to abide by.

Subscribe, gift a sub or use Bits

Subscribing is a way to support your Twitch streamer every month. It comes with benefits such as emotes, an ad-free experience and, in some cases, extra permissions and less chat moderation. By default, these auto-renew, but you can choose not to renew the subscription on your subscriptions page.

If you have access to Amazon Prime, you can have one free subscription a month. When you’re already subscribed or don’t feel like putting down that monthly commitment, you can gift subs to incentivise others to renew theirs next month.

Bits are a form of currency. Identical to channel points, you can use these to bring more activity in chat. Most streamers have Sound Alerts, Voicemod or Blerp installed to allow you to add sound effects and stickers LIVE.

Subs and Bits are a 50/50 revenue split for Twitch and your streamer. Although they add to the experience, it’s not the most profitable, but it’s consistent.

1 Bit translates to $0.01 to the creator.

Donate, straight-up cash

The most forward way to contribute is by donating. The dream of a lot of streamers is to be able to make a living out of it. Donating is usually a 100% guarantee that all your money gets to the streamer unless they use premium services to track and sort their list of supporters better or unlock aesthetics to make the page styled towards their brand.
You will commonly find the donation button to be a StreamElements, Streamlabs, Ko-Fi or Patreon link. All of these are secure and payout to their Paypal or bank. But don’t be scared of others; there are a lot of platforms that offer these services.

Send Gifts

Aside from a public P.O. box address, there are also gift services. I’m thinking about food and product services such as TreatStream and Throne. Both of these protect the privacy of the streaming whilst allowing you to send them something meaningful.

It goes without saying there are more similar services.

Use affiliate links

The last revenue for a streamer is affiliate links. This means every time you buy something through these links, the creator gets a small cut of the profits or extra benefits. Affiliate marketing (future posts pending) is a passive form of income that empowers a creator’s reach and networking.

It’s not always about revenue, but sometimes it’s about representing a community or game such as Two Way Champions.

You can find a streamer’s affiliate links in their panels or on their social media platforms.

Empower the Raid

Clouded by the big controversy of hate raids (future posts pending), these are marvellous ways for creators to expand their collaborations and share their audience. This is conducted at the end of a stream, usually to a smaller creator, a friend, someone who plays similar games, or someone your streamers attempt to emulate. Most streamers prefer you to use a raid message to share their vibe with the previously mentioned creator.

The raid message can usually get copied from a command a chatbot will provide you with. If you’re not sure, feel free to ask your streamer if they have a raid message available. And most importantly, only post it ONCE. No need to spam this one out by yourself.

Respect their Schedule

Your streamer will plan their content to their best capability and availability. Make sure to honour that. Setting out a schedule is probably one of the hardest things for a Twitch streamer since it needs to be consistent and takes time away from real-life commitments. Believe it or not, many content creators still have a day-to-day job. Even though someone looks like a full-time streamer, it does not mean they are one. So respect their time with them and make sure they know you value it.

Read the Room

Probably one of the more abstract ones. Not because it’s hard to understand but because this is the one that separates good communication. Let’s say the streamer had a pet that passed away; it would definitely NOT be the moment for a joke about flattening cats on the street. A bit crude, maybe, but it gets the point across.

Do realise not all streamers are the same. Everybody copes with situations differently. But remember: If you have to think twice if it would be the appropriate moment, usually it isn’t.

Be Understanding

Did your streamer cancel the next stream? Well, good for them!

There is most likely a good reason. Most content creators will also describe the reason or put it down in a vague category, such as mental health or family issues. Don’t question it; show your support by letting them know you’ll be waiting for the next stream. Hang out in their community Discord server in the meantime or interact with them on other platforms such as Youtube videos or Social Media.

Respect the Mods

Ah, yes, the mods, also known as the moderators. Making fun of viewers and streamers whenever they get the chance. It is important to understand that this is an act they play. It brings a healthy amount of humour and jokingly messing around. Respecting the time they put into managing chat and helping your favourite streamer collect feedback is all you have to do. By default, moderators are friends of the streamer and do not get paid to be there. Don’t make their life hell because it will impact the channel.

Give Feedback

Whether you tell them in chat you like the music they’re playing or you write a long and touchy message in their Discord server’s general chat, feedback is necessary to improve the stream past the streamer’s capability. It will not only enrich your own experience, but it will also help them enjoy and appreciate the community more.

If you do not see a way to leave feedback, ask your streamer about it. They might create a Strawpoll or add a feedback extension to their channel.

Don't Post Links

Hyperlinks, keywords to your own socials, and any unsolicited self-promotion is a big no. In most twitch chats, this means an instead timeout or even a ban. It’s a form of disrespect and a clout chase.

Don't Beg for Freebies

Is your streamer an affiliate or ambassador, as we discussed in our support section? Do not expect them to give you free goods unless they run a giveaway. And even then, you’re supposed to win it, not get it gifted.

Don't Post Spoilers

Spoilers are spoilers, whether it’s new movies, games, music releases or the ending of your favourite book. Not always respected unless requested. Type with caution.

Don't Backseat

The thin line between giving useful tips and spoiling an entire game. Usually, Twitch Streamers have a tag on their streams, such as NoBackseating or BackSeatingAllowed. But even if they don’t, read the room and see if they appreciate it. Not every content creator wants chat to tell them the easter eggs and the optimal way to complete a game.

Don't Dox

The action or process of searching for and publishing private or identifying information about a particular individual on the internet, typically with malicious intent.

from Google Definitions.

Twitch chat is not the appropriate place to share personal information about others, known as “doxxing”. Doxxing is a form of online harassment where someone’s private information is shared publicly without consent. This can include their full name, address, phone number, and other sensitive information. Not only is this illegal, but it can also be dangerous and cause harm to the person being doxxed. It is important to respect other people’s privacy and refrain from doxxing in Twitch chat or any other online platform.

Even jokingly sharing someone’s name is inappropriate if they wish to keep it private.

Don't Trauma Dump

The act of disclosing intense personal feelings and ideas to others without discretion or timing is referred to as “trauma dumping.” Mental health professionals do not commonly use this phrase as a clinical term. However, those participating in this behaviour may be prone to describing traumatic experiences or stressful scenarios to others at an inappropriate time.

Some causes for people to resort to this behaviour are:

Small disclaimer: If a streamer asks about your situation, be cautious. They do not know what to expect until it is in their chat. Think twice if it’s the right place to post it.

Of course, as with any rule, there are a few exceptions. But usually, those channels are licensed professionals that can steer you to the proper help.