Do you have a friend who is a Twitch streamer? Are you looking for ways to help them grow their audience? If so, hosting their channel on your Twitch account is a great way to do that.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of how to host on Twitch via PC and smartphone. I’ll also explain why it’s a good idea to host someone’s channel.
Let’s start.
What Is Hosting on Twitch?
Hosting on Twitch is when you use your account to show another channel’s live stream on your own page. Your viewers will still be able to chat and interact with the hosted stream as if they watched it on their own page.
How to Host on Twitch
There are two ways to host on Twitch — via PC and mobile. Both options are straightforward.
Hosting on Twitch via PC
Follow these steps to host on Twitch via PC:
- Log in to Twitch.tv with your credentials.
- Press “Following”, then “Channels” from the menu.
- Type in “/host USERNAME” in the chat room — username being the channel you wish to host.
- In the same chat room, type in “/unhost” to stop hosting.
Also, you can set up an auto-host feature which will be activated five minutes after you go offline, and it will start broadcasting a streamer from your list. However, if you already have it enabled, read here about how to stop auto-hosting and why sometimes it’s not a good idea.
Hosting on Twitch via Smartphone
To learn how to host someone on Twitch via your smartphone, you first need to download the app. Once you install the app, follow these steps:
- Log in to the Twitch app.
- Click on your icon picture.
- Press “Account Settings”.
- Then ”Stream Manager,” and enable the “Hosts” option.
- Find a channel you want to host and press the icon with three dots (share icon).
- Pick the “Host Channel” option.
- To stop, use the “/unhost” command.
You should also remember that you have three host commands per 30 minutes.
Pros and Cons of Hosting Someone Else’s Channel
Now that you know how hosting on Twitch works, you might be wondering if you should do it.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:
Pros
- Networking with other streamers — When you host someone on your channel, you build relationships. This can lead to opportunities down the road, like being featured on their channels or getting invites to collaborate on projects.
- Bringing in new viewers — By hosting another channel on Twitch, you expose their viewers to your channel. If they like what they see, they may follow you, which can help you grow your audience and reach new people.
- Showing your viewers what content you like — While hosting another Twitch user’s channel, you let your audience get to know and understand you better.
Cons
- Less screen time for you — One of the biggest downsides is having less screen time for yourself. That means less time interacting with your viewers and showcasing your skills and personality.
- Potentially offensive content — Sometimes, people might show offensive or inappropriate content. While you won’t violate Twitch’s rules, you might want to stop hosting that streamer.
Hosting vs Raiding
Hosting on Twitch allows you to promote another channel on your page for a short period. It’s beneficial for both the host and the person being hosted, as it can help grow both channels.
Raiding on Twitch is similar to hosting, but instead of promoting another channel, you bring viewers from your own channel over to another. You can do this by typing “/raid” followed by the channel name in the chat.
Reasons to Host Someone’s Channel
There are a few reasons why you should host someone on Twitch:
- Help out streamers you value — If you find a streamer that you think deserves more viewers, hosting their channel can be a way of giving back.
- Get more viewers — By learning how to host a channel on Twitch, you can bring some of their viewers to your own channel.
- Get other streams to host you — If you host other Twitch users, they may be more likely to host you in return.
- Introduce your viewers to new content — Your viewers may appreciate you introducing them to new streams that they could enjoy.
- Have an active channel at all times — Your channel will stay active even when you’re offline, which can help you maintain or grow your viewer base.
Conclusion
Hosting on Twitch is a great way to support your favourite streamers and help grow the community. By following the simple steps in this guide, you can start hosting on Twitch via your PC or mobile device. Now you know why it’s a good idea, so get out there and support your fellow streamers.
FAQ
How do I host someone on Twitch?
To host someone on Twitch, you can go to their channel page and click the “Host” button or type “/host” followed by their username in your chat.
Why can’t I host on Twitch?
There are a few reasons why you might not be able to host someone on Twitch. For instance, you might not have any viewers, you could be banned from hosting, or not have Partner or Affiliate status. If none of these reasons apply to you, check my article and learn how to host on Twitch.