As a small streamer, especially one who streams late at night, I often find myself without an active chat. This is not an issue only pertinent to me; it's a common experience for many streamers just starting out. Twitch recently implemented a new "anti-bot" policy intended to improve the platform, but rather than impacting bots, it is impacting creators and their silent supporters.

I am not just a creator; I am also a viewer. There are times when I want to support my favorite streamers without actively participating in the chat. Sometimes I am too busy, other times I simply have nothing to add to the ongoing conversation. However, under Twitch's new policy, my view—and the views of countless others—are rendered invalid simply because we don't engage in chat activity.

Lurkers have always been critical to maintaining and nurturing communities on Twitch. Creators often regard their silent viewers as the backbone of their communities. These viewers might not be visible in the chat, but they are very much present, providing essential support by simply viewing streams. Twitch's policy change, enacted in August 2025, undermines this silent but substantial support base by excluding lurkers and low interaction viewers from the view count.

This petition aims to restore Twitch's view count to reflect what it once did before August 2025: recognizing all viewers, active or passive, as legitimate contributors to the content ecology. Twitch's current approach, while ostensibly targeted at reducing bot activities, inadvertently sidelines genuine fans who prefer not to or are unable to participate in stream chats actively.

By tweaking this policy to acknowledge lurkers, Twitch would not only reaffirm its commitment to creators' growth but also legitimize every viewer's way of supporting creators. This change would enrich the platform, ensuring that all voices, spoken or silent, are valued.

Please support this petition to convince Twitch to reevaluate this policy and restore the inclusive environment that considers and appreciates all viewers, regardless of their level of interaction. Sign this petition today to make a difference.