Do raids count as views?

Answered by Jason Smith

Raids and hosts on Twitch do count as views, but they currently do not contribute to the average viewer count required for partnership. This means that while raids and hosts can bring in a significant number of viewers to a streamer’s channel, those viewers are not factored into the calculations for becoming a Twitch partner.

The average viewer count is an important metric that Twitch uses to determine a streamer’s eligibility for partnership. To qualify for partnership, streamers need to consistently maintain a certain average number of viewers over a specific period of time. This is typically calculated over a 30-day period.

In the past, raids and hosts were included in the average viewer count, which could greatly help streamers reach the partnership requirement. However, Twitch made a change to their algorithm, and now only organic viewers who come directly to the streamer’s channel are considered for the average viewer count.

This change was implemented to ensure that streamers are able to build a dedicated and engaged community of viewers, rather than relying solely on temporary spikes in viewership from raids and hosts. Twitch wants to prioritize the quality of viewership rather than just the quantity.

While this change may make it more challenging for streamers to reach the partnership requirements, it also encourages them to focus on fostering an engaged and loyal community. Streamers will need to put in more effort to attract and retain viewers who actively choose to watch their content, rather than relying on the boost from raids and hosts.

It’s worth noting that raids and hosts still have their benefits. They can introduce new viewers to a streamer’s channel, potentially leading to increased followers and long-term viewership. Raids and hosts also provide an opportunity for streamers to support and collaborate with other creators in the Twitch community.

While raids and hosts do count as views on Twitch, they do not contribute to the average viewer count required for partnership. Streamers will need to focus on building a dedicated and engaged community of organic viewers to meet the partnership requirements.