Free inactive usernames after a time period.
We’re reviewing this. Curious how long you think would be ok.
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Zacatecatl commented
I completely agree, the recycle program needs a massive overhaul.
There are far to many people waiting on unused usernames that are not released in a timely fashion. I'm going to post this both in an existing request and make a new one. Hoping it some how bumps the issue.
I have been watching two names for years now. One is simply completely inactive with zero information on the profile and has never followed anyone, for years. That account also has never responded to private messages to even suggest someone logged in. **** I'd buy their account name from them if there was anyway I could contact them.
The other has the "Unless you have a time machine." message and may be an old twitch staff, or previous partner, but i have no way of knowing that. Can't they supply some reason to why I can't change to that name?
Such as: "This username is unavailable and is exempt from the recycle program"
Then in the FAQ they can just state the names that fall into this category are the old staff, partner.. ect names. So we know we won't get it. Transparency! And it wouldn't be difficult, Twitch I'm sure already has a list of names it will not release in its database, just tell us why. What is the point behind all the secrecy? This isn't some massive company top secret policy gaining them millions, its the exact opposite. Dead names don't make them money and only cost Twitch storage space.
I would like to suggest that there be way when we go to change our name and it says its "unavailable" for name change, that we can request a flag on it. That it can then be checked for activity and if it is actually inactive within the username recycle programs guidelines it can be put in an upcoming recycle. I'm sure this can be automated, Twitch can see if a name has logged in within six months or a year and if not then flag it, and actually do this, not like right now where inactive names MAY be recycled but probably won't be in any timely manner.
Inactive accounts under threat of recycle don't have to be deleted, you could just append the name with a bunch of random characters in case the owner comes back and you can be sure to send out multiple emails letting them know what is about to happen if they don't log in. Though this would defeat the purpose of clearing up space due to inactive accounts, at least you wouldn't be worried about someone not returning later because their name is gone (their own fault, not Twitch's or the new name owner).
They should also in some way be required to actually use the name. Why are some names taken but are not in use? Is there protection from possible name sellers? (Not that I've ever seen one for Twitch but its common in other areas, such as website urls, mmos usernames, social media handles) What if someone has taken a name and only logs in once a year on that alt account but that account has zero activity, they don't chat or watch any videos? Is that fair or right? Why is that allowed? Shouldn't that name be available for someone who will use it?
The current system suggests that inactive accounts will be recycled but it could take as little as six months or it could take years. We have no way of knowing when that will be or even if the name we want is eligible for recycle. I had a **** of time just getting twitch to tell me if Curse usernames from when Twitch bought Curse and automatically created accounts for them would be eligible to recycle. I was told all those names have already been recycled, but it took multiple emails and explaining on my end as the twitch staff responding just wanted to send me copy paste responses that never addressed my question.
Of course partners/affiliates and old staff names should be exempt from this to avoid possible fraud/impersonation.
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Zacatecatl commented
I completely agree, the recycle program needs a massive overhaul.
There are far to many people waiting on unused usernames that are not released in a timely fashion. I'm going to post this both in an existing request and make a new one. Hoping it some how bumps the issue.
I have been watching two names for years now. One is simply completely inactive with zero information on the profile and has never followed anyone, for years. That account also has never responded to private messages to even suggest someone logged in. **** I'd buy their account name from them if there was anyway I could contact them.
The other has the "Unless you have a time machine." message and may be an old twitch staff, or previous partner, but i have no way of knowing that. Can't they supply some reason to why I can't change to that name?
Such as: "This username is unavailable and is exempt from the recycle program"
Then in the FAQ they can just state the names that fall into this catagory are the old staff, partner.. ect names. So we know we won't get it. Transparancy! And it wouldn't be difficult, Twitch I'm sure already has a list of names it will not release in its database, just tell us why. What is the point behind all the secrecy? This isn't some massive company top secret policy gaining them millions, its the exact opposite. Dead names don't make them money and only cost Twitch storage space.
I would like to suggest that there be way when we go to change our name and it says its "unavailable" for name change, that we can request a flag on it. That it can then be checked for activity and if it is actually inactive within the username recycle programs guidelines it can be put in an upcoming recycle. I'm sure this can be automated, Twitch can see if a name has logged in within six months or a year and if not then flag it, and actually do this, not like right now where inactive names MAY be recycled but probably won't be in any timely manner.
Inactive accounts under threat of recycle don't have to be deleted, you could just append the name with a bunch of random characters incase the owner comes back and you can be sure to send out multiple emails letting them know what is about to happen if they don't log in. Though this would defeat the purpose of clearing up space due to inactive accounts, at least you wouldn't be worried about someone not returning later because their name is gone (their own fault, not Twitch's or the new name owner).
They should also in some way be required to actually use the name. Why are some names taken but are not in use? Is there protection from possible name sellers? (Not that i've ever seen one for Twitch but its common in other areas, such as website urls, mmos usernames, social media handles) What if someone has taken a name and only logs in once a year on that alt account but that account has zero activity, they don't chat or watch any videos? Is that fair or right? Why is that allowed? Shouldn't that name be available for someone who will use it?
The current system suggests that inactive accounts will be recycled but it could take as little as six months or it could take years. We have no way of knowing when that will be or even if the name we want is eligible for recycle. I had a **** of time just getting twitch to tell me if Curse usernames from when Twitch bought Curse and automatically created accounts for them would be eligible to recycle. I was told all those names have already been recycled, but it took multiple emails and explaining on my end as the twitch staff responding just wanted to send me copy paste responses that never addressed my question.
Of course partners/affiliates and old staff names should be exempt from this to avoid possible fraud/impersonation.
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derzwo commented
how long review?
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rockqkun commented
bump
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ricewzrd commented
Keeping it alive.
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Some1_Online commented
I don't think Twitch reads this anymore. It's just an outlet to make us feel like we're being heard. It's been five years since they last replied; well over 1825 days.
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TimIox commented
This feature has be announced in 2018 and Twitch still haven't started doing this since then. Inactive accounts are not being recycled and its annoying to see someone else have a username you want, but have completely forgotten about their Twitch account years ago. Please Twitch, fix this already.
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omnigametv commented
I just also entered a case about this. Seems like system is flawed due to how long it takes to get your username changed. We should especially be able to more easily rebrand as partners and affiliates. If we own both accounts or the username has been put into the pool for recycling.
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Xavier commented
This is still a thing? Why not make it 6 months, and give us active users the names we want so we can stay here.
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DisguisedHamburger commented
You guys first need to check if the account is active, if isnt then in aprox 1 year from their last log on their account is gone
then you will have to wait 6 months for that username to be recycled, basically the waiting time is 1 year and 6 months in a perfect world -
saddboi commented
Every good username shows this: "Sorry. Unless you’ve got a time machine, that content is unavailable"
Please FREE all those millions of good usernames that give you 0 traffic to your website. Dont force us to register dumb looking usernames with numbers and underscores.
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murderbits commented
I created an account many years ago using my real name. A first name that literally only about 36 people on the planet have. Damned if I can figure out my credentials or the address that was used. It'd be wonderful to have that account recycled so I can pick it back up.
That said, it should be a very generous time period and a notification should be sent to the address on the account something like 90, 60, 30, 7, and 1 day before killing the account. There should also be an option to mark an account as "deceased" or something, so that the account can't just be recycled if the person has passed away (imagine if your entire identity online is usurped by someone some day, simply because you passed). It'd also be great to designate a backup emergency person who can be notified after a lot of inactivity that can be granted a method to access the account on behalf of the user (just like Google and other services do).
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feamebd commented
Twitch's "recycle" policy is misleading and they're not true to their words.
I've been waiting 6 years to claim my old account's usenrame. According to the recycle policy, it says it'll take 6 months to 1 year before inactive usernames can be reclaimed by somebody else.
I can't be the only one who's been waiting to reclaiming usernames??????????
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feamebd commented
I've been waiting 6 years
Twitch are liars because they don't stick to their policy.
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feamebd commented
Twitch's "recycle" policy is misleading and they're not true to their words.
I've been waiting 6 years to claim my old account's usenrame. According to the recycle policy, it says it'll take 6 months to 1 year before inactive usernames can be reclaimed by somebody else.
I can't be the only one who's been waiting to reclaiming usernames??????????
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Salvision commented
I'm still waiting for my username for over 6 months
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wiiMoon commented
Please change this policy or make it easier to reclaim names that are locked up.
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Anonymous commented
Been waiting almost 2 years for the username I want to free up. And for an entire year it has displayed the "Unless you have a time machine" error indicating that it has been put on the list for recycle but still hasn't been.
I would honestly pay actual money to have the username free up at this point because I am getting sick of waiting. -
Anonymous commented
Waiting for almost 3 years for a username - he follows one accoutn (justin) and doesn't seem to do anything in the platform ever since.
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Michael commented
The username feature should allow the swapping of two usernames on accounts you own. I pocketed a username years ago, just to find out I cant ever use it without risking it being taken by somebody else once it becomes free.