Twitch Introduces 350+ New Stream Tags to Enhance Discoverability and Representation
Twitch is making significant changes to its platform to provide streamers with more descriptive options for labeling their streams and improving discoverability. These changes include the introduction of over 350 new stream tags related to various categories such as gender, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ability, and mental health.
Some of the new tags that will be available include transgender, Black, disabled, veteran, and Vtuber. Additionally, the “ally” tag will be separated from the main LGBTQIA+ tag to give it more prominence. These changes are being implemented in response to the passionate requests from the Twitch community.
Twitch initially introduced tags in 2018 to help creators describe their content and aid viewers in finding relevant streams. However, the platform now acknowledges that they have been focusing solely on the content and overlooking the importance of allowing streamers to express their identities and causes they support. Twitch recognizes the need to rectify this oversight and provide a platform that reflects the diversity of its community.
Twitch collaborated with external organizations such as GLAAD, The Trevor Project, AbleGamers, and SpecialEffect, as well as received feedback from select members of the Twitch community while developing these new tags. The aim is to ensure inclusivity and representation of underrepresented and marginalized communities.
It is worth mentioning that Twitch will be actively monitoring the use of tags to prevent any malicious intent or misuse that goes against its Hateful Conduct and Harassment Policy.
To address these changes and provide more information, Twitch staff will be hosting a live Q&A session on May 26 at 11:30 am CT.