Twitch viewers are planning to attempt a mass boycott of the livestreaming platform over a number of controversies from their TwitchCon event in San Diego, as well as changes to the site that have caused both viewers and streamers to feel ostracized.
Twitch has been under a lot of fire in recent months, due to changes they’ve made to the platform, as well as increasing pressure from rival streaming sites, particularly from YouTube.
They announced a change to their subscriber revenue split for streamers, removing the 70/30 split for partners and giving everyone a blanket 50/50 split, a move they doubled down on at TwitchCon. Big streamers have spoken out about it, and some, such as CodeMiko, have revealed their plans to migrate their content to YouTube.
There are also more ads on the site than before, with viewers complaining that it’s hampering their experience when trying to watch their favorite streamers.
Then, with the issues that stood out at TwitchCon, with one woman even breaking her back in two places in a foam pit, as well as allegations of harassment, streamers being misgendered, and a “lack of planning” at the event.
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Because of the issues and complaints that have mounted up over time, many are now calling for users to completely boycott the platform, with #BoycottTwitch being shared far and wide across social media.
#boycotttwitch becausea person broke their back in an unsafe pitthe staff misgendered streamerslack of planning leads to dangerous crowdsSexual assault/spiked drinks that twitch didnt do anything aboutRevenue splitTreatment of disabled peopleCcs getting stalked
— 𝑹𝒆𝒎 🌹// Are We There Yet? 🪷˚｡⋆. (@dapxduo) October 10, 2022
#boycotttwitch little rant i wrote out. do better, twitch. pic.twitter.com/cKQWyyril4
— moved!! read bio (@Toby__Coolest) October 9, 2022
Others, though, have argued that certain elements of the boycott shouldn’t happen. For example, Twitter user Toby called for users canceling their subscriptions to reconsider, especially as small streamers may be forced to quit if their subscribers leave en masse.
Cannot stress enough, 🚨DO NOT DO THIS🚨Seeing a lot of stuff like this in the #boycotttwitch hashtag and if you cut off your support to small streamers like this you will force people to quitIf you do cut support to twitch PLEASE consider donating to streamers' KoFi/Patreon pic.twitter.com/7wa0lJ38W0
— TobyLooksLike (@TobyLooksLike) October 10, 2022
Whether this movement actually picks up and draws the attention of Twitch remains to be seen, but it’s clear there are a lot of ill feelings towards the platform from its user base.