How to Raid on Twitch: A Comprehensive Guide to Sending Your Viewers to Another Streamer

Raiding on Twitch is a powerful way to support other streamers, grow your community, and introduce your viewers to new content. It’s a gesture of goodwill that can lead to reciprocal support and foster a positive environment within the Twitch ecosystem. However, if you’re new to raiding, it can feel a little daunting. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about raiding, from understanding the basics to executing a successful raid and maximizing its impact.

What is a Twitch Raid?

A Twitch raid is a feature that allows you to send your viewers directly to another live stream after your own stream ends. When you initiate a raid, your viewers will be presented with a notification and a button that, when clicked, will transport them to the target channel. This allows you to introduce your audience to a streamer you enjoy, create a shared experience, and potentially boost the other streamer’s viewer count and chat engagement.

Raids are an excellent way to:

• Support other streamers: Raids are a direct way to show appreciation and help other streamers gain exposure.
• Build community: Raiding is a shared experience that unites your viewers around a common goal.
• Discover new content: You can use raids to introduce your audience to streamers with similar interests or different styles of content.
• Grow your own channel: Raids often lead to reciprocal raids, creating a network of mutually supportive streamers.

Why Should You Raid?

Beyond the basic mechanics, raiding offers a variety of benefits for both the raider and the recipient:

• Increased Exposure for the Recipient: Raids are a significant boost for smaller or up-and-coming streamers. A sudden influx of viewers can provide a surge in activity, potentially leading to new follows and viewers in the long term.
• Networking Opportunities: Raiding can forge connections with other streamers. If your raid is well-received, the recipient may be more likely to raid you in the future.
• Fun and Engagement for Your Viewers: Raids provide an exciting change of pace for your audience. They get to discover new content and participate in a shared experience.
• Positive Community Building: Raiding fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork within your community. It encourages viewers to interact with other streamers and their communities.
• A Way to End Your Stream Positively: Rather than simply shutting off your stream, raiding gives your viewers a positive destination to go to after you go offline.
• A Way to Discover New Talents: By seeking out new streamers to raid, you can find other content creators that are worthwhile and potentially find new communities to interact with and become part of.

Before You Raid: Planning and Preparation

While raiding is a simple process, a little planning can go a long way in making it a success. Here are some things to consider before you initiate a raid:

1. Choosing the Right Streamer: Don’t just raid randomly. Select streamers whose content aligns with your community’s interests and values. Look for streamers who are engaging, entertaining, and have a welcoming chat. Consider:
   • Content Similarity: Are they playing similar games or creating similar content? This increases the likelihood that your viewers will enjoy their stream.
   • Stream Size: Consider raiding streamers with similar or slightly smaller viewer counts than yours. This is usually more impactful for the recipient and can often lead to reciprocation. Raiding a streamer with 10 viewers when you have 100 can be hugely impactful.
   • Community Compatibility: Does their chat environment seem compatible with your viewers? Look for positive and inclusive communities.
   • Personal Connection: Have you interacted with them before? Do you personally know them? A personal connection can make the raid feel more genuine.
   • Check their Schedule: Ensure they are online and streaming before you decide to raid them.
2. Announce Your Intention: Let your viewers know you plan to raid. This gives them a chance to get excited and prepare to participate in the raid.
3. Set Expectations: Explain to your viewers what a raid is, especially if they are new to your stream. Let them know the basics and encourage them to be positive and supportive in the recipient’s chat.
4. Have a Reason: Do you have a good reason for raiding this particular streamer? Is it someone you enjoy, someone who you think your community would enjoy, or someone you know? Giving your viewers a reason for the raid makes the entire event that much more meaningful.
5. Prepare a Custom Message: You can create a custom message that will be displayed in the recipient’s chat when the raid begins. This message allows you to introduce your community and why you are raiding them.
6. Consider Your Timing: When will you be ending your stream? Sometimes it’s best to end early, sometimes it’s best to end later. It really depends on a multitude of factors.

How to Raid on Twitch: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you’re prepared, let’s get into the practical steps of how to execute a raid on Twitch. Twitch offers a few methods for raiding. Here’s a step-by-step guide covering the most common methods:

Method 1: Using the /raid Command

The simplest and most common method for raiding is using the `/raid` command in your chat. Here’s how it works:

1. Type the Command: Open your Twitch chat and type `/raid ` replacing `` with the exact username of the streamer you wish to raid. For example, `/raid ExampleStreamer`
2. Confirmation: After you enter the command, a confirmation prompt will appear in your chat. This prompt will include a button to confirm the raid.
3. Optional Custom Message: Before confirming the raid you can add a custom message to be sent with it. This can add more personality and a personal touch.
4. Confirm the Raid: Click the confirmation button to begin the raid. Once confirmed, a countdown timer will appear on your stream and in the chat, indicating when the raid will be initiated.
5. The Raid Begins: After the timer expires, your viewers will be notified that a raid is in progress and will be prompted to click a button to be taken to the target channel’s stream.
6. Watch the Fun: Join your community and watch the raid play out. Engage with the new streamer’s chat, be positive and supportive, and have fun.

Method 2: Using the Twitch Creator Dashboard

You can also start a raid directly from the Twitch Creator Dashboard. This method can be more visual and some find it easier to navigate. Here’s how:

1. Access the Creator Dashboard: Go to your Twitch stream page and click on your profile picture in the upper-right corner. Then, select “Creator Dashboard”.
2. Find the “Quick Actions” Panel: In the Creator Dashboard, look for the “Quick Actions” panel. This panel typically appears on the right side of the page.
3. Locate the “Start a Raid” Button: In the Quick Actions panel, find and click on the button labeled “Start a Raid”.
4. Enter the Channel Name: A pop-up window will appear, prompting you to enter the username of the streamer you want to raid. Type the username into the provided field.
5. Preview the Raid: The pop-up will likely display a preview of the target channel’s stream (if they are online). This lets you double-check that you have selected the correct streamer.
6. Add a Custom Message: Before initiating the raid, you have the option to add a custom message to be sent with the raid. Use this message to introduce your channel and create a positive first impression.
7. Start the Raid: Click the “Start Raid” button to begin the raid. Like with the /raid command, a countdown timer will appear and your viewers will be prompted to join the raid after it ends.
8. Engage and Enjoy: As with the other method, once the raid has begun, engage with the new streamer’s chat and make your viewers feel welcome and that they’re part of something special.

Method 3: Using the Mobile App

You can also initiate raids using the Twitch mobile app. The process is fairly similar to the other methods:

1. Open the Twitch Mobile App: Launch the Twitch app on your mobile device.
2. Access Your Chat: Go to your own channel page or click on your profile icon to go to your dashboard. From here find your chat.
3. Use the /raid Command: As with the desktop browser, type `/raid ` into the chat, replacing `` with the username of the streamer you want to raid.
4. Confirmation: A confirmation prompt will appear.
5. Optional Custom Message: Add a custom message if you wish to.
6. Confirm the Raid: Tap the confirmation button to begin the raid.
7. Enjoy the Raid: Just as with the previous methods, once the countdown ends your viewers will be invited to join the raid.

Making the Most of Your Raid: Tips and Best Practices

Raiding is more than just sending your viewers to another channel; it’s an opportunity to make a positive impact and build connections. Here are some best practices to ensure your raids are successful and meaningful:

• Encourage Participation: Before the raid begins, encourage your viewers to join in and make a good impression in the recipient’s chat. Remind them to be positive, respectful, and supportive.
• Use a Custom Message: A custom message is crucial to make a great first impression. Introduce your community, mention the reason for the raid, and say something encouraging. For example: “Hey @TargetStreamer! We’re the ExampleStreamer community, and we love your content. We’re here to spread the love and support!”
• Don’t Be Overbearing: While enthusiasm is great, avoid overwhelming the recipient’s chat with excessive spam or in-jokes. Be respectful of their existing community and allow them to engage with your raid at their own pace.
• Engage in Chat: Participate in the raid by actively engaging in the recipient’s chat. Answer questions, follow the streamer, and use emotes to show your support. It also shows your viewers that you’re also part of the raid.
• Follow the Recipient: If you enjoy the streamer, make sure to follow them! It also sets a good example for your viewers.
• Be Positive: Keep the chat positive and supportive. Avoid negativity, backseat gaming, or any form of disrespect.
• Avoid Spamming: Do not spam the chat. If you are in a large raid, sometimes the chat can go very fast, do not spam to try and get your message across as it will most likely get lost in the chat.
• Be Patient: Give the recipient streamer time to react and acknowledge the raid. They might be busy with their game or content, so be patient and understanding.
• Don’t Expect Reciprocity: While raiding can often lead to reciprocal raids, don’t do it with the expectation of getting raided back. Raid because you want to support other streamers, not for personal gain.
• Consider the Streamer’s Personality: Before you raid, consider the personality of the streamer you’re raiding. If they seem laid-back and chill, maybe they’ll appreciate a slow and steady raid, but if they’re an energetic streamer who encourages fast chat, maybe that’s the route to take when raiding.
• Stay on Theme: When raiding streamers who are doing things such as a charity stream, keep that in mind when you go to raid them. They might not be able to focus on your raid as much as they normally would.
• Make Friends: Raids can be a great way to make friends on Twitch. Be genuine and sincere and just try to make friends.

What to Do if You are Raided

Being raided can be exciting and a little overwhelming. If you’re the recipient of a raid, here’s how to handle it with grace and appreciation:

• Acknowledge the Raid: Immediately acknowledge the raid and express your gratitude to the raiding streamer and their community. Thank them for their support and let them know that you appreciate them.
• Welcome the Viewers: Greet the new viewers and make them feel welcome in your stream. Encourage them to say hello in chat and engage with your content.
• Be Engaging: Make sure to be engaging and entertaining for the new viewers. Answer questions, chat with them, and make them feel like they’re a part of your community.
• Check the Raider’s Channel: Take a moment to check the raider’s channel. Follow them, and make sure to keep track of their channel to possibly raid them back in the future.
• Promote Your Community: This is a good time to briefly mention your community’s goals, any ongoing events, and your streaming schedule.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: Raids can often come with a large influx of viewers. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, do not be afraid to ask your existing mods to help out with the chat.
• Have Fun: Most of all, be excited and have fun. Raids should be a fun experience for all involved.
• Don’t Change What You Are Doing: If you’re in the middle of something when you are raided, you do not need to suddenly change what you’re doing just because a raid came in. If you were in the middle of playing a competitive game or story event, keep doing that. Acknowledge the raid and carry on.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are some common issues you might encounter during raids and how to address them:

• Raid Fails to Initiate: If the raid doesn’t seem to be working, double-check the streamer’s username and ensure they are actually live. Try refreshing your browser or closing and reopening your Twitch client. If it persists you can reach out to Twitch support for additional help.
• Viewers Don’t Join the Raid: Sometimes, viewers might be hesitant to join raids if they don’t know what to expect. Be clear in your instructions and encourage them to click the join button. Sometimes they might not see the button to join the raid. Remind them that is what it’s for.
• Negative Chat Behavior: If your viewers or the raided streamer’s viewers engage in negative or toxic behavior, address it quickly and firmly. Remind your viewers of your community guidelines and consider using moderation tools to manage the chat.
• The Streamer is Offline: If you try to raid and the streamer is offline, the raid will fail. Always make sure they are online and live before attempting the raid.
• You have Raided the Wrong Streamer: If you’ve accidentally raided the wrong streamer, apologize in chat and make sure to raid the correct one next time.

Conclusion

Raiding on Twitch is a fantastic way to support other streamers, build your community, and create positive experiences for everyone involved. By understanding how raids work, planning ahead, and following these best practices, you can make your raids meaningful and impactful. Remember, raiding is about building connections and supporting the Twitch community. Now that you’re equipped with this comprehensive guide, go forth, start raiding, and spread the positivity!

Happy raiding!