Can you see who is watching?

Can twitch streamers see who is watching?

As a Twitch viewer, you may be wondering if the streamer can see who is watching their stream. The short answer is no, the only identity a streamer can see is the chat viewers who are logged in with a Twitch account. If you are not logged in, the streamer has no way to know it's you!

Twitch channels do receive some geographic location data in their analytics dashboard, which shows what country the viewers are from. However, this data is very general and doesn't provide any specific information about the viewer's identity.

In addition to location data, Twitch channels also receive some referral URL data from embedded players. This data provides information about how viewers arrived at the stream, such as through a link on social media or a search engine.

It's important to note that some streamers may include custom URL links in their profile section, which can potentially track a viewer's IP address. This is why it's essential to be cautious when clicking on panel links or URLs listed on the page to safeguard your privacy.

However, Twitch does offer streamers the ability to set up subscriber-only streams or channels, which require viewers to have a subscription to view. This means that the streamer would be able to see the identities of their subscribers who are watching the stream.

It's important to note that as a viewer, you have the ability to remain anonymous while watching streams on Twitch. You can choose to not log in with a Twitch account or use a username that doesn't reveal your true identity.

In conclusion, Twitch streamers cannot see the identities of their viewers unless the viewer is logged in with a Twitch account and participating in the chat. While some general location and referral URL data is available to streamers, this data does not reveal any personal information about the viewer. However, viewers should be cautious when clicking on custom URL links as they may potentially track their IP address. It's important to remember that you have control over your privacy as a viewer and can choose to remain anonymous while watching Twitch streams.

Are twitch mods paid?

A majority of the channels on Twitch that utilize moderators for their chats are not paid. Chat mods are usually long time viewers and supporters of the channel.  Some people view becoming a mod for a channel as a reward.



Due note their are special events and some channels that do paid moderators or give perks such as free game keys. It is recommended that some form of compensation is given to long term moderators of your channel. For my channel I have given games to a couple of my mods during the holiday season.

Twitch moderators, or mods, are typically volunteers who help to manage a streamer's chat and community. They are not paid by Twitch, but they may receive compensation from the streamer they are moderating for.

In some cases, streamers may choose to compensate their moderators for their time and efforts, either with a flat fee or a percentage of the streamer's revenue. However, this is entirely at the discretion of the streamer, and there is no set standard for how much mods should be paid.

It's important to note that being a Twitch moderator is typically a volunteer position that requires a lot of time and effort. Mods are responsible for enforcing chat rules, managing user behavior, and maintaining a positive and welcoming community. While they may receive compensation from the streamer they are moderating for, most mods do it because they enjoy the community and want to help the streamer succeed.

Are donations taxable?

Are twitch donations taxable?

Many streamers mix up "donations" wording with tips.  A streamer isn't a registered charity so using the wording "donations" is not correct, use "tips" instead. Make sure to consult with an accountant for all tax related issues and questions to get the best answer for the state you live in.

If you are a content creator on Twitch, you may be wondering if the donations you receive from your viewers are taxable. The answer is yes, any income you receive, including tips or donations, is generally considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The IRS treats tips as taxable income similar to wages. This means that if you receive any income from Twitch donations, you are required to report it on your income tax return. This applies to all types of income, whether it is earned through traditional employment or self-employment.

It's important to note that many streamers confuse the wording of "donations" with tips. It's important to use the correct language and refer to tips as tips, not donations. A streamer is not a registered charity, so referring to it as a donation can be misleading.

When it comes to reporting your Twitch donations, it's best to consult with an accountant or tax professional to ensure you are properly reporting and paying your taxes. Tax laws can vary depending on the state you live in, and a professional can help you navigate any potential issues.

If you receive Twitch donations through a third-party tool or platform, such as PayPal or Streamlabs, it's important to keep track of all of your income and expenses. This will make it easier to report your income and ensure you are paying the appropriate amount of taxes.

In addition to income taxes, self-employed individuals are also responsible for paying Social Security and Medicare taxes, known as self-employment taxes. This means that as a Twitch streamer, you may be responsible for paying both income and self-employment taxes on your Twitch donations.

It's also important to note that if you receive non-cash donations, such as gifts or merchandise, these items may also be considered taxable income. You should consult with a tax professional to determine the value of these items and how they should be reported on your tax return.

In conclusion, any income you receive, including Twitch donations, is generally considered taxable income by the IRS. As a streamer, it's important to use the correct language when referring to tips, keep accurate records of all of your income and expenses, and consult with a tax professional to ensure you are properly reporting and paying your taxes.

Streamers served with DMCA notices for copyright music

Over the past weekend a big influx of DMCA requests have been served to Twitch.tv.  Many streamers both large and small have been given notices that they have clips on Twitch that contain copyrighted music.

📢 This week, we've had a sudden influx of DMCA takedown requests for clips with background music from 2017-19. If you’re unsure about rights to audio in past streams, we advise removing those clips. We know many of you have large archives, and we're working to make this easier.

— Twitch Support (@TwitchSupport) June 8, 2020

Here is a recap of events around this issue from the past to the present:

1. In 2014, Twitch created audio fingerprinting filters using a 3rd party to mute out copyright related issues from videos to protect Twitch, which also protects streamers engaged in using audio that they shouldn't be using.
2. Streamers who engage in using audio they shouldn't be using, thought they were safe.
3. The copyright agencies that use monitors found out twitch clips past a certain year didn't filter out audio such as videos do. So they used automation to scan old clips and find audio fingerprints that match their music database.
4. DMCA for old clips where then triggered based on fingerprint matching and sent to Twitch.
5. Twitch notified all channels of the DMCAs.
6. Many streamers who have been using copyright music are now deleting all their clips. Other streamers who are not up to date on all of this are just deleting all their clips as a safety precaution.

What is the take away from this weekends event for streamers?

It is pretty simple, do not use copyright content, music or audio that you do not have permission or license to use.

• Majority of all games have settings to disable music, get in the habit of doing this before you start any new game for streaming on the platform.
• Check with the games EULA/Youtube Policy/Video Policy to see if they have sections for streaming the game and monetizing it. Most games have this already inserted, but its always best to verify.  Also note, that EULA's can change, one day it maybe ok and another day maybe removed.
• Do not follow on what others do on the platform and think its ok since "everyone" is doing it. 
• Do not use any sort of main stream music in your broadcasts with out licenses or permission.
• DO NOT THINK JUST BECAUSE TWITCH AUTOMATICALLY MUTES YOUR VIDEOS THAT YOU ARE SAFE TO CONTINUE TO USE MAIN STREAM MUSIC OR OTHER COPYRIGHT STUFF IN YOUR BROADCAST. Read this line 3 times to get it saved in your head!

Need more info on copyright law? Check out this past Twitchcon panel that goes over all the basics formatted for streamers.

Additional Information from djWHEAT interview with Noah Downs:


Quote: "There is a company out there that is monitoring most streams on twitch" - "They have the ability to issue live DMCA's but just havent done it yet."

 

---

Update 11/6/2020

A lot more issues with DMCA and clips have been occurring on the platform. Many additional streamers are getting banned for clips from long ago stream sessions. And there is additional issues with clips supposedly not totally being deleted from the system that maybe getting detected even though streamers have been mass deleting clips and videos.

How to watch twitch on Roku, 3 methods available!

If you have a Roku device for your tv and want to watch twitch streams, here are 3 possible solutions to that problem! In this short guide we will be using unofficial apps that allows you to watch twitch channels.

First Method using access code

1. Open up your web browser, and go to the following url:
   
   • https://my.roku.com/account/add
     
2. Sign into your Roku Account
3. Then a text box will be available where you can input a channel, write the channel named Twoku
4. Warning window will appear, press OK to continue.
5. Press Yes to add channel to your Roku account.
6. Restart your Roku and you should then see Twoku channel which is a basic interface showing the Twitch directory, live stream list and streamer search.

Second Method via manual developer install

1. Enable developer mode for Roku
   
   • Full detail guide on how to enter developer mode can be found here: https://blog.roku.com/developer/developer-setup-guide
     
2. Login to your Roku via private IP address listed in step 1, example http://192.168.x.x
3. Use this repo zip and upload it into the Roku Development application installer
   
   • Repo file is from https://github.com/worldreboot/twitch-reloaded-roku
     
4. Press install
5. Once installed, you should be able to find a channel with a black roku dev graphic at the end of your channel list. Click on that and it will start up the UI that shows the Twitch directory, live streams and search function.

Third Method via Web Video Cast app

1. Start up google play in your Roku and search for web video cast
   
   • https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instantbits.cast.webvideo
     
2. Install that app and then use it to browse twitch.tv
   

Drops

Twitch Drops is a feature that allows Twitch viewers to earn in-game rewards by watching streams of certain games on the Twitch platform. Twitch Drops are typically offered as part of promotional events or game releases, and they are a way for game developers and publishers to incentivize viewership on Twitch.

To participate in Twitch Drops, viewers need to link their Twitch account to the game publisher's account. This is usually done by going to the game publisher's website and following the instructions to link your Twitch account. Once your account is linked, you can watch eligible streams on Twitch to earn Drops.

The Drops that you can earn vary depending on the game and the promotion, but they can include things like in-game items, currency, or even access to beta tests or early releases. To receive the Drops, viewers need to make sure that they are logged in to Twitch and that their account is linked to the game publisher's account.

It's important to note that not all games or events on Twitch offer Drops, and eligibility requirements may vary. To find out more about Twitch Drops, you can visit the Twitch website or check the website of the game publisher offering the Drops.

Twitch drops is a way for game developers to reward viewers who are watching streamers showcasing their game on the platform. The developers have many powerful options and ways to utilize the drops system from Twitch. They can whitelist a certain list of streamers that will be drops enabled or have all channels that are broadcasting their game have drops enabled.  If they choose all channels, their game on the twitch directory will have a special symbol the upper corner.

Here is a example of what the game directory will show for games that are drops enabled for all channels.



For viewers to be able to get drops, they will have to link their twitch account with the game account. After viewing a channel for a certain time frame or if a streamer does something unique in-game, they will receive a in-game item.  Please note, drops system has many ways to reward, make sure to check with the game developer and ask the streamers on how the drop works for the particular game.


My opinion:
From a streamer point of view, drops for a game your streaming is a huge positive due to the potential to have audience stick. Drops is such a powerful loyalty gimmick, that top view count streamers can go into rebroadcasting past stream sessions and still hold their audience as if they were live.




This maybe one instance where "content isn't king, the gimmick is everything". Each time I check the game directory for "Legends of Runeterra," I have seen a streamer named DisguisedToast have around 25k to 30k viewers while listing in title as "rebroadcast." Hardly any other streamer on the Twitch platform gets 25k viewers as "Live" yet this channel has been doing it daily as "rebroadcasts".

Update 4/14/2020 - New drop feature for a game called Valorant has gone live on the platform for over one week now. Riot games has enabled drops for a tiny segment of twitch channels, in which viewers have a chance to get a key for the closed beta. Small pool of Twitch enabled drop channels and a small chance to get a key for the game has turned out extremely successful for getting high concurrent viewers for this event. One channel was able to peak around 311k viewers and many others are also showing extreme viewership numbers due to the drop event.

Many channels are also engaging in the "Live" but not live rebroadcasting in order to maximize their viewer numbers, subs, follower gains during this drop event.

I do find it really odd that Twitch has a built in system for ReRuns / Rebroadcasting content, yet anyone using that feature will not have drops enabled. So these Twitch streams are in a way exploiting the system by broadcasting live with old replay content in my opinion.

Important Update on Drops from Twitch Support!

✏️ We got a number of questions about this and wanted to clear things up. This update is focused on the abuse of rewards systems such as Drops, and does not impact other 24/7 or VOD streams not participating in a rewards system, like tv marathons or past gaming broadcasts. https://t.co/ccgipDJtF8

— Twitch Support (@TwitchSupport) April 30, 2020

Twitch has taken a stance against any channel that is doing Rebroadcasts as Live in order to abuse the rewards system.

Update 4/17/2022 - It appears that many channels are exploiting the Drops system again via running 24/7 live but with replay vod content, sleeping or other cloaky gimmicks.  Not sure what type of enforcement is happening on the backend but from my point of view, it seems like nothing is happening to combat against it. 

If you run 24/7 with vods during certain time segments and want to stay in the rules set for drops, you can disable the Drops system on your channel like I do for my channel.

To disable drops for your channel follow these steps:

• Go to dashboard
• Click on Viewer Rewards, then Drops
• At the top of the drops page, it shows a slider which can enable / disable drops

Additional information / guides on Twitch Drops: 

• Can you get twitch drops while muted?
• Can I AFK Twitch Drops
• Why won't my twitch drops work?
• New Twitch Drops
• Sea of Thieves Drops
• Lost Ark Twitch Drops
• Rust Twitch Drops
• How to see drops progress and claim

How to embed your channel on blogger!

Guide on how to embed your Twitch.tv channel on blogger.


This guide covers the basics of how to get the Twitch embed code and insert it into your theme on blogger.

Step 1.
Go to your channels page on Twitch and click on the share button (1) and then copy the embed stream code (2).



Step 2.
Login to your blogger, go to the blog you want to put the twitch embed player on and then click on "Layout".


Step 3.
Figure out which area you want to post up your twitch tv stream embed and then click on the "Add a Gadget" link. That will create a pop up with many different gadgets to choose from on a list.  The gadget you need to use is "HTML/JavaScript", press the + sign to add that to your layout.


Step 4.
Enter a title and then paste the stream code from step 1 into the content box. After that press the save button and you should be able to see your twitch tv embed on your blog.



Update 6/10/2020 - Step 5.
Twitch has updated their embed code, everything is generally the same except that there is a parent parameter. So you have to change "www.example.com" to the URL of your website or blog.