Let’s talk about the silent supporters in the streaming community. While the spotlight often shines on the streamers and active chatters, a quiet yet significant group of viewers plays a role in the streaming world: the lurkers.
How lurking works
Lurking refers to the act of watching a stream without taking part in the chat. They may simply have the stream open, with or without volume, while they work, play games, or engage in other activities. They enjoy the content but prefer to remain in the shadows, silently supporting their favorite streamers.
Pros and Cons
Lurkers offer several benefits to streamers. Firstly, they contribute to viewer counts, which can help boost a stream’s visibility on the platform. This is especially helpful if you’re just starting out, or are a small streamer. This increased visibility can attract more viewers and potential followers, leading to organic growth for the streamer. Additionally, lurkers often watch ads, which generates revenue for streamers.
On the downside, lurkers often times contribute to chat interaction, a key metric for gauging engagement on streaming platforms. Streamers may find it tough to gauge the audience’s reaction or receive immediate feedback without active chatters. However, many streamers value lurkers for their silent support and understand that not all viewers feel comfortable participating in chat.
The Babz Effect: Sparking Conversations
Recently, Twitch streamer Babz sparked a conversation online about the role of lurkers on streams. Babz expressed appreciation for lurkers, acknowledging their support and the positive impact they have on a streamer’s channel. They highlighted that lurkers help with exposure and revenue generation, making them valuable members of the community.
“I personally love and appreciate lurkers. Lurkers are big supporters in my opinion, they help with exposure to your channel and watch ads, so that helps with revenue. There’s legit nothing bad with lurkers,” they said.
JLids32, another prominent Twitch streamer, emphasizes that he appreciates the lurkers. However, he also points out self-promoting. “I appreciate everyone that lurks my streams,” JLids32 said on Twitter. “But I would advise not mentioning you’re live or you’re going live in other streamer’s chats.”
PricePotato, a Twitch VTuber had another interesting viewpoint on lurkers. They point out that lurkers will just say one thing and move on.
Lurkers play a vital role in the Twitch community, supporting streamers in their own quiet way. While active chat engagement is important, it’s essential to recognize and appreciate the lurkers who choose to silently enjoy the content. Whether you’re a streamer or a viewer, understanding and respecting each other’s preferences can help create a more inclusive and supportive streaming environment.
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