Twitch removes ‘shoutout’ option for refunding subs after streamer backlash

Twitch has removed an option users could give as a reason for refunding their subscription to a channel, after streamers said it would encourage trolls to sub just for a shoutout, before canceling.

Streamers on Twitch thrive off of ads and subscriptions to make a living. While there are ways for fans to get around the former, the latter is purely optional yet prime for abuse.

Anyone who has ever watched a Twitch stream probably knows that when a streamer gets a subscription, they get out of their way to thank the viewer in some capacity and recognize the fact their content was deserving of a few bucks.

However, there are some viewers who subscribe, get the streamer to comment, and then refund their subscription. All in an effort to troll the entertainer. Twitch was accused of legitimizing this behavior with an optional reason for canceling the sub – ‘just to get a shoutout.’

Viewers could select “I just wanted to get a shoutout” as their reason for canceling a subscription.

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“Here ya go trolls, here’s another zero-cost way to troll the streamer,” she remarked on the new option. “One step forward, two steps back.”

“Look, I understand having a quick refund option could be important if you accidentally gift the wrong amount of subs or hit the 3/6 month option instead of 1. I do get that,” she further added. “But why feed the trolls?”

Update, March 10: Twitch has responded to concerns around this refund option, and are removing the shoutout option.

“This info is used to improve the subscription experience for creators and subscribers. We did not intend to make it seem like we are encouraging this behavior, and based on community feedback, we are removing the shoutout option.”

 

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Twitch users are still able to refund subscriptions shortly after purchasing them, although it does not apply to gifted subs.