Streamer Tip: The Professional Lurker


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The Professional Lurker

For starters, it's not what you think! If you're unfamiliar with message boards, forums, chat rooms, or live streams; you may think a lurker is a negative entity to have around. We think, someone or some THING is watching, stalking, and waiting. In the streaming world however, lurking can provide some benefits.

What is a stream lurker and why do they lurk?

Simply put, a lurker is someone that chooses not to or is unable to participate in a stream's chat. There are many reasons a person may not participate in a stream or the stream's chat that may be, but not limited to, social anxiety, shyness, out for a drive, working, and/or just about any reason that hinders the ability to type or click something in the stream.

So, why lurk? 

Support! While some lurkers are there to just check out a streamer most lurkers, from my experience, are there to support the streamer. In most cases, while not active, they still count as a number on their viewership and analytics. If the streamer they're lurking is an affiliate, partner, etc., then they can help with the monetization for the streamer during commercials.

The art of lurking! Let's become professional lurkers!

Now that we understand lurking, let's become pros! I am a self proclaimed professional lurker! I'm here to tell you, all lurks are not created equal and there is a bit of a method to it! There is a little more to lurking than just showing up with a window/tab open. This little tutorial is more for those looking to support their favorite Twitch streamers.

How many tabs is too many?

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We're talking about browser windows or tabs within a browser. While we all want to open a window/tab for every single streamer we love and want to support, sadly support only goes so far. After some digging, questioning, and experimenting, only a few windows/tabs count. If it wasn't for ElShowCake I wouldn't have known any better to be honest. Only 2 windows/tabs count on Twitch. So if you're lurking and want to boost a fellow streamer's viewership, reduce your 10 windows/tabs down to 2. Tip: I now reserve my lurks for those who are at the bottom of the list who can use an extra number. 😉


Unheard of!

Volume determines viewership. We're not talking about computer audio or headset audio, we are referring to the audio level within the streamers video window. If you mute the channel through the Twitch interface on a streamers channel, your viewership will not count! The volume must be at 1% at minimum. As a good measure however, I either mute the tab or reduce the volume to 5%, just in case.

Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash

Participation.

While it's not required, I love to type !lurk which is the command for most people announcing that they are lurking in a stream. I want the streamer to know that I'm there supporting them, even if it is "in the shadows". I can tell you, it does get noticed!


The bottom line

It's pretty simple to be a pro lurker! I can tell you that many streamers including myself really appreciate lurkers too! Believe it or not, lurkers make up 80% or more of most channel views. As long as you have the volume at 1% and have only 2 windows/tabs open, you count! Be that important 80% statistic! Happy Lurking.

Photo by Usman Yousaf on Unsplash


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