Millions of fake viewers. Billions in stolen ad revenue. An entire industry built on lies. A bombshell investigation has exposed what many suspected but couldn't prove: Twitch and Kick streamers are systematically using viewbots to fake their popularity, defraud advertisers, and manipulate the platforms' recommendation algorithms.

The Shocking Numbers

According to a comprehensive whitepaper from Streams Charts and Audiencly, the scale of viewbotting is staggering:

  • 30 million fake watch hours generated on Twitch—comparable to Netflix's weekly viewership for a top series
  • 20 million fake watch hours on Kick, the rising Twitch competitor
  • 41,000+ Twitch channels with 50+ average viewers flagged for suspicious activity
  • 4,400+ streamers showing persistent signs of viewbotting

These aren't just small-time streamers trying to get noticed. Some of the platform's biggest names have been caught in the crossfire.

How Viewbotting Works

Viewbotting is the use of automated programs—bots—to simulate real viewers watching livestreams. These fake accounts:

  • Inflate viewer counts artificially
  • Boost streamers up recommendation algorithms
  • Create fake engagement metrics for sponsors
  • Generate real revenue through ad impressions and subscriptions

"We've seen examples of 5,000% spikes in viewership, many times for no apparent reason," reported Sherwood News in their investigation. These sudden surges are telltale signs of bot activity.

Why Streamers Do It: The Money Trail

The motivation is simple: money and visibility. In the hyper-competitive world of livestreaming, viewer count is everything. Higher numbers mean:

  • Better placement in Twitch and Kick's discovery algorithms
  • More attractive metrics for brand sponsorships
  • Higher ad revenue and subscription income
  • Partnership eligibility and platform perks

Some dishonest streamers don't just bot their own channels—they weaponize bots against competitors by sending waves of fake viewers to trigger platform bans or damage reputations.

The FTC Cracks Down

In August 2024, the Federal Trade Commission made viewbotting officially illegal. Their new ruling, which kicked in on October 13, 2024, bans "fake social media indicators" including purchased views and followers.

"Fake reviews not only waste people's time and money, but also pollute the marketplace and divert business away from honest competitors," said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan.

Streamers caught buying fake viewers can now face federal fines—not just platform bans. The rule specifically targets those using bots "for a commercial purpose," meaning sponsored streams and monetized content.

Platform Response: Too Little, Too Late?

Both Twitch and Kick claim they're fighting back. Twitch told Dexerto they're working on "long-term" detection improvements and see this as an ongoing effort requiring continuous investment.

However, critics argue the platforms have been slow to act. Viewbotting has plagued Twitch for years, with the most high-profile ban happening back in March (before the recent crackdown). The practice is notoriously difficult to prove without direct admission from offenders.

Twitch's viewership numbers have dropped significantly since they began cracking down—reaching their lowest monthly figures since 2020. But the company denies they're in "free fall," claiming third-party data is incorrect.

The Advertiser Scam

The real victims? Brands and advertisers paying premium rates for fake engagement. When streamers present inflated viewer numbers to secure sponsorships, they're essentially committing fraud. Companies pay thousands for product placements, sponsor segments, and brand deals based on metrics that are completely fabricated.

This undermines the entire influencer marketing ecosystem, making it harder for legitimate creators to prove their worth and easier for bad actors to thrive.

How to Spot a Viewbotter

For viewers and sponsors, here are red flags:

  • Sudden massive spikes in viewership without explanation
  • High viewer counts but low chat activity
  • Generic, repetitive messages in chat (bot comments)
  • Viewers joining and leaving in synchronized waves
  • Discrepancies between followers and active viewers

What This Means for Gen Z Creators

For young aspiring streamers, the message is clear: the shortcut isn't worth it. Beyond platform bans, viewbotting now carries legal consequences. The FTC's involvement means this isn't just a terms-of-service violation—it's a federal matter.

Building a genuine community takes longer but creates actual value. Fake numbers might look impressive on paper, but they don't convert to real engagement, loyal fans, or sustainable income.

The streaming industry is at a crossroads. With the FTC now involved and platforms finally taking action, the era of fake fame may be coming to an end. But with millions of fake hours still being generated daily, the battle is far from over.

Have you noticed suspicious viewer activity on your favorite streams? The data suggests you probably have—you just didn't know what to look for.