Words You Should Block on Twitch

Maintaining a Positive Twitch Community: Words to Block for a Safer Stream

Twitch is one of the largest streaming platforms in the world, with millions of active users every month. To ensure a safe and inclusive environment, Twitch has established strict guidelines on the use of certain words and phrases, especially in English, that are often used to harass or offend others. Understanding which words are banned can help streamers protect their community and avoid serious consequences.

Specific Words Banned by Twitch

To prevent online harassment, Twitch has explicitly banned several terms, especially those related to toxic online behavior. These words are:

• Simp: A term used to insult someone for being excessively subservient to someone they admire, often in a romantic or platonic context.
• Incel: Short for "involuntary celibate," this term is used derogatorily to mock individuals who believe they are unable to find romantic or sexual partners.
• Virgin: Often used as an insult to mock someone’s lack of sexual experience.

These terms have been banned because they promote harassment and toxic behavior on the platform.

Broader Categories of Banned Speech

In addition to specific words, Twitch prohibits any language that promotes hate speech or violence. This includes:

• Racial slurs targeting any ethnicity or group.
• Homophobic and transphobic slurs that attack someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Gender-based insults or derogatory terms aimed at individuals based on their gender.
• Religious slurs or insults aimed at mocking someone's religious beliefs.
• Discriminatory language based on disabilities, either mental or physical.
• Threats of violence, including statements like "kill yourself" or "I’ll harm you."
• Doxxing: Revealing personal or private information about someone without their consent.

These broader categories encompass many offensive behaviors that can lead to suspensions or permanent bans.

Moderation Strategies for Streamers

To keep chats safe and free from offensive language, Twitch streamers can take the following steps:

• Use AutoMod to automatically filter out inappropriate content by banning certain words and phrases.
• Regularly update the list of blocked terms to include variations or misspellings of offensive words, ensuring users don’t find ways to bypass filters.
• Assign moderators to actively manage chats, using tools like Twitch Mod View to ban offensive language in real-time.
• Consider using third-party moderation tools, such as chatbot services, to help enforce chat rules.

Consequences of Violating Twitch’s Rules

Streamers and viewers who use banned words or violate Twitch’s guidelines can face serious penalties, such as:

• Warnings for first-time offenses, with an email notification outlining the violation.
• Temporary suspensions that can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the offense.
• Permanent bans for repeat offenses or particularly harmful behavior.
• The possibility of losing Twitch Partnership if a streamer’s community repeatedly violates these rules.

Best Practices for Streamers

To avoid penalties and maintain a positive Twitch community, streamers should:

• Stay updated on Twitch’s Terms of Service as the platform regularly updates its rules to address new forms of harassment.
• Encourage respectful and inclusive behavior in chat by promoting a positive community culture.
• Regularly review and adjust moderation settings to ensure that harmful words are adequately blocked.

Conclusion

Maintaining a safe, respectful environment on Twitch is essential for streamers to build a positive and engaged community. By understanding the banned words and taking proactive measures to moderate chat, streamers can ensure that their content is inclusive and welcoming to all viewers.