Twitch Streamer tip: chat rules, mods and moderation

As a streamer some tips and tricks are learned the hard way. In this article we take a deeper look on chat rules, mods and moderation because this needs to be set-up properly and well thought out as it might get you out of trouble later on.

1. Chat rules:

With the Twitch chat rules pop up it's way more clear for your viewers to instantly the rules you uphold on your channel. They need to accept them before they can start typing in your chat. This is really important: they accept it before they can start engaging. So first of all we need to set-up the chat rules before we can follow the rules to keep chat in line. You can do this through this link (but change your username) My guideliness: -Allow all links to be dropped! Rather ban a troll or self promoter then missing out on my community dropped clips or other stuff that helps me as a streamer.

Chat Rules:

1. Hang out, chill, and have fun
2. Have an issue with someone? Keep it off chat
3. Do not harass anyone
4. Do not spam unnecessarily
5. Do not use the chat to show disrespect to other streamers and /or viewers etc.
6. Do not promote yourself without the streamer approving

Think about this because these are the guidelines you can use to perform a timeout or ban on anyone not complying. So the rules section is the backing of moderation of your channel.

2. Mods:

Highly underrated by most streamers I see is the mod section of a community. Don't add mods live on stream. Don't just pick a good friend. Pick people you trust. Pick people who are not afraid to act on your behalf. Talk to your mod team and engage on what you want with your channel and how you want to be guided during your live streams.

Give it some time to grow. I see mods as a crucial element of my streams. They randomly drop discord links, socials links or engage with my chat when needed. But they also help me on, for example, shoutouts! When a community members enters my stream I always give a shoutout. But I can't do that myself I am busy streaming.

Another a reason why mods are crucial: "Can you give streamer X a shoutout please" and couple of seconds later a mod drops it. Make sure you don't have a mod only chat and I am not talking the chat function. I would like to suggest: for every 10-15 active chatters you need 1 mod. Other important members can be VIP because you need people to push and stimulate chat too without it all being mods only in chat. Trust is crucial consider that in your mod and approach. Also be sure to talk to them every now and then and never forget to give them the credits they deserve. Mods are the lifeline and backbone of your streams and can't get enough credit!

3. Moderation:

With the rules set-up however you want it: stick to the rules. Don't turn on it because chat needs to be guided to make your rules very clear. And be very clear. Timing out a troll is not going to help. Swing the ban hammer if needed. Too much salt in chat gets to you, hurts the fun for viewers and that's the last thing we would ever want. So when it comes to rules be clear.

I had a couple of trolls coming in chat and I am very clear on it. Especially when it was a "troll army". No timeout mods, ban them all. And so it was done, I could focus on my stream and performance, mods had my back. It didn't hurt me at all. It did back in the days when this wasn't at all functioning as I wanted it to.

4. Polls / Predictions:

All new features should be integrated in your channels as soon as possible. With that your channel brings new things to the viewers, it also helps you when it comes down too engagement. You can play with polls, outcome and discussions in chat. A great way to boost your content. Especially if your mods help with that. So, ask them, involve them in your thought proces before you role it out. That way you stimulate mod activity, involvement and connection with you as a content creator.

5. Mod view on your channel:

I am happy to see that Twitch takes moderation more and more serious a new step for that is the special mod view when you live. I would suggest you also have that open when you stream yourself. Especially when you are starting and feel nervous or insecure. Twitch now offers a control center where you can be in charge the whole time in an easy to manage look and feel. Learn this before you go live it will help you.

Follow these steps, create that baseline for your streams and benefit. Don't wait until you make it as a bigger Twitch streamer. Remember this is how I do it, and how I look at it. Find your own path, what makes you feel most comfortable? Do that, act on that and make it your own but again: Stick to the plan. I hope this helps you, like it helps me. Article by Keizer