Twitch’s IRL section has been split into 13 different categories
Twitch have officially removed the IRL section from their popular streaming website, splitting it into 13 unique categories.
In a statement posted on the Twitch blog, Senior Director of Product Tom Robertson confirmed that the IRL section was officially discontinued, as viewers who frequented the category found it difficult to find specific streamers around topics they enjoy.
Instead, the platform has created a new system of directory for streamers named Tags. The IRL section has been broken up into smaller, more focused tags, that Robertson will “help viewers find streamers around things they love”. These new tags are;
- Science & Technology
- Art
- Sports and Fitness
- Just Chatting
- Talk Shows & Podcasts
- Makers and Crafting
- Tabletop RPG
- Music & Performing Arts
- Special Events
- Food & Drink
- Beauty & Body Art
- Travel & Outdoors
- ASMR
Tags have been introduced as a new way to identify streams in an attempt to make Twitch easier to use, and allow viewers greater search options to help identify what they would like to watch.
Robertson states that Twitch are aware that these changes “impact streamers and their workflow”, but ensures that Twitch will continue to work with streamers and creators on the new system, saying; “Our plan is to continue to adapt these tools to ensure that Tags and Categories work for everyone on Twitch. If you have feedback for us, please let us know.”
Tags are set by streamers in their Live Dashboard, and appear alongside the thumbnail, stream title and game any time a video or broadcast is seen on Twitch. Twitch also states that tags will be used to help tailor recommended streams on Twitch’s homepage.
Twitch officially announced the changes to the platform back in August, with the new tag system officially going live on Thursday, September 27.