Twitch Is Getting Rid Of Its Popular 'Host Mode' Feature To The Disappointment Of Creators

Source: Twitch

Twitch is getting rid of one of its most popular features in Host Mode. The feature was first introduced in 2014, allowing streamers to host another creator's stream on their channel for their viewers to watch when they are offline.

As of October 3, Twitch will sunset Host Mode as it no longer aligns with the experience that viewers expect when they visit a creator's channel. Twitch says that viewers want to interact with streamers when they are live and as a result, Host Mode limits the ability for streamers to grow their audience.

Despite this belief, many streamers have been vocal about Host Mode's value. Streamers say it keeps viewers entertained when offline, allows them to highlight other creators to help them grow, and boosts their own discovery when their streams are hosted by others.

Rather than use Host Mode, Twitch encourages streamers to shout out other streamers, send viewers to other streams via Raids, and add other streamers to Suggested Channels.

Because of the amount of pushback Twitch is receiving for this, it would be wise to double back like Instagram recently did after rolling out its full-screen experience.

This is the latest chapter in Twitch's push-pull relationship with creators. After making a series of positive moves, like launching highly requested features such as Creator Chat Highlights, the platform seems to undo its own work by making moves that ultimately go against what creators want.