Twitch is removing host mode on October 3rd

Twitch is removing host mode in October, according to an update from the platform “How to use host mode” Help desk page first spotted by reporter Zach Bussey. On October 3rd, the Stream Manager host channel quick action and the host backslash command will no longer be available. The Autohost feature is renamed to Suggested Channels. The raid function remains.

Host mode was first introduced in 2014 to allow streamers to promote other channels. It allows streamers to use their channel to view another channel’s stream, similar to a website embed. Raids, on the other hand, allow streamers send their viewers to another specific channel.

A Twitch representative referred Polygon to the “How to use host mode” FAQ section explaining why the feature was removed. “We decided to discontinue this feature because the experience it offers viewers is not what they expect when they come to Twitch,” the section reads. “Viewers want to interact with a streamer when they are live and host mode blocks that. Blocking viewers from interacting with the streamer they’re watching also limits a streamer’s potential for growth because they can’t form meaningful connections with these new viewers.”

Streamers and viewers alike were surprised by the decision to remove the feature, which has been in regular use for eight years. They’re also surprised at the idea of ​​host mode “blocking” interaction. Popular streamers switched to Twitter share their confusion and frustration

Omega Jones, known as CriticalBard on Twitter and Twitch, shared his confusion with the decision, noting the different use cases for hosting versus raiding. “I’m raiding right after I’m done streaming and want to continue the vibes elsewhere,” he tweeted. “I host when I’m not live so my idle channel clicks to someone who IS live for more engagement.”

Former Twitch developer Chris Gamble also commented on the feature in a Twitter thread.

Others have suggested that host and raid functions are indeed redundant — or have speculated that the function is due for an overhaul or rebuild.

Regardless, it’s an interesting choice, as smaller Twitch accounts typically struggle to grow their audiences thanks to the platform’s shaky discoverability features. This fact is so well known that it’s basically a meme at this point.

The FAQ portion of Twitch’s Host Mode page includes a section advising streamers on how to “support the growth of other streamers” after Host Mode has been removed. Basically, the suggestions are to use remaining features – such as B. Using Raids to direct viewers to a recommended channel, using the Shoutout command, and populating the Suggested Channels list.

When Host Mode was first introduced, Polygon found that the feature was beneficial for both the original streamer and their recommended channel, as the hosting party is able to “share friends’ channels.” highlight or point out interesting streams”. In addition, “all views counted on the hosting channel count towards the hosted channel and viewers can subscribe to the original channel directly from the host’s side.” This created platforms for channel curation alongside the actual shows.