Twitch’s New Reporting Feature Sparks Controversy Over Viewbotting Accusations

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On Twitch, modifications have been made to the reporting system, expanding the methods available to flag streamers. However, certain new options might stir up debates due to their contentious nature.

Typically, submitting reports on Twitch is a simple process. When you witness someone breaching the terms of service, usually through actions that can be seen clearly on their live stream, you initiate a report. Issues like explicit content, harassment, or bullying are typically quite clear-cut in most instances.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that users now have the ability to flag streamers suspected of using viewbots. These instances may demand a closer scrutiny compared to usual reports.

Additionally, providing multiple avenues for viewers to report streamers who violate the terms of service is indeed a positive step. However, there’s a risk that these channels might be misused, as some users may exploit the system by mass reporting streamers maliciously, aiming to wrongfully ban them from the platform.

Twitch adds viewbot reporting feature

Starting on March 2, 2025, Twitch users will be able to flag suspicious activity called “viewbotting.” While the ability to report scammers and fake accounts has been available previously, an additional option for reporting viewbotting has been added to the platform.

You’ll find that viewership manipulation has been added as an item at the bottom of the list. Upon opening the report menu, Twitch provides a bit more clarification on this subject, explaining its true meaning.

It refers to individuals manipulating viewer, follower, or other related channel stats by artificially boosting them. This could be similar to the conventional method of purchasing views (known as viewbotting), but there are also less obvious techniques for doing so that may be harder to spot.

For example, in 2023, FextraLife found themselves in a contentious situation over allegations that they manipulated Twitch viewership by automatically playing their streams on every page of their guide site, thereby inflating the numbers. This type of coverage also includes similar instances where questionable practices may be used to influence statistics.

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Considering the frequent allegations of viewbotting among streamers, the potential for users to report such instances seems beneficial in theory. Nevertheless, given the challenges in verifying such accusations, there’s a risk that this feature could be exploited for making false reports.

The level of controversy surrounding this feature will depend on how effectively Twitch can identify instances of viewbotting and sift through spam reports.

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2025-03-03 04:48