Yes, I'm aware: per the recycling policy on the website, "Once you have changed your name, the abandoned usernames will be held by Twitch for a minimum of 6 months"

But they're clearly not being recycled. I've been waiting on an old name since the policy was announced, and it had already been changed for at least a year when it was. I had changed it as part of an effort to rebrand some aspects of creation, which has changed directions since then.

Six months is absolutely a reasonable amount of time, but these names are clearly not being recycled. If you're not going to recycle them in a timely manner, please allow us some manner to request old names if available rather than telling us you can't help and we just have to wait when asked.

Reduce the amount of cooldown after a name change, I have had to wait for 6+ months to get my name changed after I accidentally changed my name. I didn't get a reply from support after 6 months either, so I had to wait it out.
Even when you change your name you might not even be able to get the name back, which is ridiculous in my opinion. Having to wait 6+ months to get your name back and yet not be able to get it is something that needs to be changed when I accidentally changed my name the Twitch.tv website crashed at the time and that's why I had to refresh the site and then it was logged into the wrong account, so it changed my name on my main account and not my alt. Therefor stuff like this should be reduced so it won't happen to anyone again.

Here's an idea. Actually recycle the inactive user names like you said you would. I've been on Twitch for 7.5 years now WITHOUT my correct handle because someone with 1 follower is "using" it. As long as my fans are searching for my page this account will be "active" because it's getting traffic from my followers. PLEASE allow attention to this and other cases like this instead of sending generic response as if we didn't already research why this is happening. As a 7.5 year Twitch streamer it's crazy to me that myself and others are still waiting for our correct handles because some inactive account is not being recycled.

Long Story Short: Recycle Usernames

I've seen this requested feature a lot, option to add a display name? (just like with Twitter, there's a display name, and an @username)

Good way to deal with username snipers, generic words & common names such as "Jake" or "Jacob" are already being used of course, but if someone named "Jacob" creates a username such as /Jacob_535455 then it just looks messy for a channel name, so yeah, a display name should be an option too (it's already on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, Steam, you name it, so it'd be a good idea for here too)

For LIVE notifications, it should still say "@Jacob_535455 just went LIVE" (or something similar) to prevent confusion with someone else named Jacob

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 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.. etc 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.

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.

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.

Guys please read all of this and vote if you want this to happen. Much Appreciated.

There is a problem for years with any other TWITCH STREAMER especially who are AFFILIATES that they want a USERNAME of their choice but its been taken and used already by any other viewer who is not a streamer or anything. So, to solve this problem here is an idea and I know we all want this. So the idea is that when somebody SIGNUP on TWITCH they will get a RANDOM USERNAME including of random numbers and random alphabets generated by TWITCH. They are normal account and they can do anything like STREAM or WATCH other STREAMERS but they just have random username and if they STREAM, once they get AFFILIATE then they will have the OPTION to have their own CUSTOM USERNAME of their choosing or liking and this thing also implies on EXISTING ACCOUNTS that are NOT AFFILIATES. This can solve the username not available problem for AFFILIATE STREAMERS. and the VIEWERS who just WATCH other streamers DON'T need a CUSTOM USERNAME because they don't need any kind of visibility or exposure they are on twitch just to watch but a STREAMER who is AFFILIATE need exposure and visibility and a CUSTOM USERNAME of their choice. So please TWITCH make this happen and its a problem for many years and many AFFILIATE STREAMERS are facing this issue including me and all of this suggestion or idea I think is the thing we all need and its a valid idea and I love to hear on this from you guys please TWITCH make this happen. I LOVE STREAMING ON TWITCH. LOVE and THANK YOU TWITCH.

It's 2021 New Era.
Time for Twitch to get out of its thick skin.
All Technical Twitch issues, some 99% of which arise from BOTS accounts.
This is a FAQ last days BOT attacks. and suspect Ddoss.

Twitch management Its Thick headlines Don't leave any suggestion through their thick skin. and deny well-meant security to streamers and viewers. to build in.

now talking takless
Foreword bots.
- Spam bots.
- FOllow bots.
- Hostbots.
- Scam bots.
Started last weeks before Christmas. attacks from bots.
and server problems worldwide on Twitch. and DDos attacks.
(ddoss I suspect also comes with bots)
We streamers are **** off

Two years ago by Email I submitted a proposal to Twitch HQ usa.
Until now Jan 2021, twitch has done nothing with this. and the problems only increase.
We strarmers suggested some very good protections.
For new Accounts and existing accounts.

1- Max three accounts per user language.
2- Name, address, zip code, ect and telephone number required.
3- Passport or driver's license must be over 18 years old.
3A- As soon as this is checked in waiting room open account access. As soon as the authenticity of an account is proof.

Through Control passport, Driver's license or other legal. That a person is real. and not a bone. ect. Why? Below the following example

After checking for Viewers as streamers ids.
Can twitch do more when abused

• Ban on IP address


• Ban on Name address ect


• Ban on thier Computer and mobile phone (SMartphone) software operating system DNA tel DNA code


• Ban in Thier PC(Computer DNA)
  Exemple GPU serial nr chip ect CPU chip, Main board dna ect ect.


• every PC or smartphone have Unique DNA serial numbers and bios and so on.


• VPN ban

Why?
Why work like this?
Ban on only E mail or and Ip is insufficient.
You create new free Email or VPN ip ect.

It only helps to banish like more game makers already do.
on everything ips and well known vpn ips, besides pc bios chip, cpu / gpu chip ect.

Now it becomes a very expensive joke for scamers, bots, Trolls ;-)
they can buy new tel or pc laptop, ipad ect. haha.
If they think they are screwing up other streamers and their viewers, this becomes very expensive.

Ban on everything you can from IP to control system and CHIPS DNA IDs, including thier name, address, IDs.

just look after account numbers, How many accounts there are. what's the use of FAKE accounts. by viewers to increase a streamer Followers numbers ??? A streamer wants real people in chat and as a follower FAQ I mean the serious streamers they want to see through an honest followers FAQ.

Twitch can ban perma ban on IP / EMail.
This has little effect, they create vein Email address and vpn ip.
and spam, bones scam again.

Twitch needs to get out of its thick skin and bless Enough is Enough. We let our streamers and viewers break their day. But we at Twitch also mess up our servers bandwidth due to trolls bots, scam bots, follow bots, hostbots ect. fake accounts.
Ultimate Protection 2021 and beyond Is more important than ever.
Twitch can secure a lot more than they do. Kixeye game bans on everything above mentioned. DNA gpu / cpu ect. Why not Twitch?

Twitch underestimates the problem.
Twitch Underestimated Serious streamers have the power.
No streamers No Twitch. We streamers spend so much money on Twitch from subs bits ect. 50% That they build in good security control system and ban system.

What can you do as a streamer?
- all on the same side against Twitch
- vote on our proposed new ban system
- New account registration.
- Old existing accounts confirmations
- Not active accounts can be removed for up to 24 months or invisible.
- Ban channels can no longer look after a streamer.
For example if facebook / Instagram / Twitter already do.
They no longer see a streamer's contact, as if the account no longer exists.
Streamers continue to progress hand in hand for better collaboration and protections.

Streamers and viewers partnered with Twitch to create fair and fun-filled streams. But knowing Twitch, they don't do anything about it like they have for years. Yes BAN they don't see your chat anymore. thats all

2021 new paradime new rules
2021 new ban system
2021 new signups accounts and old accounts coontroll on Legit

2021 new paradime for every serious viewer streamers.

Translate Dutch - ENG by google. sorry for mistakes ect.
Cheers from
Twitchtvfalcons german / eng
Twitchtvblauwborst Dutch only
livedtfc community
Happy new year and hope on beter times on Twitch