Editor’s Note: Twitch updated its feeds and reset DJ discoverability. Read the framework: The Twitch DJ Findability Trap.
Twitch’s July 2025 bot purge hit hard. Site-wide viewership fell 24 percent by August, a five-year low. The trade: lose the fake numbers, win back advertisers.
Streams Charts analyst Nazar Babenko said it makes sense. Viewbotting “undermines trust” across the entire ecosystem, hurting genuine streamers and sustainability.
Now the algorithm pays for engagement. Retention, active chat, and watch time decide who gets found. High retention says your stream is a destination, not background noise.
Advertisers follow real humans. Authentic chat means more ad revenue for streamers.