The rise of live streaming platforms creates new ways for people to connect with one another. In 2022, I started data collection for my doctoral research which looks at the relationships between streamers and their viewers on the platform Twitch. Initial data collection for this research involved ‘lurking’ on Twitch, watching streams, taking detailed notes, and being counted amongst the anonymous viewers, without actively participating. I then conducted 32 semi-structured interviews with streamers who identified as women or as non-binary, aged between 18-40 years old, and predominantly from the UK and the USA. Participants were recruited using Twitter (now X) and were found through my tweet advertising the research, which gained significant traction, or from direct messages to participants. The participants had a range of followings, from 41 followers to 40,000 and streamed content including gameplay, music, cosplay, and conversation streams. An important finding was that that the provision of support and care forms an important practice in building intimacy in these relationships (Jamieson, 2011). Whilst streamers are often seen as the entertainers and viewers as the audience, a space for care and connection can be created during their real-time interaction using the chat feature.

All the support that happens on Twitch is completely mediated by technology. Unlike in-person relationships, in which you might offer a hug or cook a meal for a friend going through a tough time, support on Twitch is intangible. Instead, it is made up of words on a screen and voices over a microphone. Yet, the quality of the interaction—whether it is giving advice, sharing a joke, or simply being present— indicates that the intention is to grow and build the relationship. At the same time, streamers and viewers both adhere to certain boundaries of what they feel comfortable sharing, especially considering the size of the audience, that can number in the hundreds or thousands.

One of the ways in which intimacy develops between streamers and viewers is through the exchange of personal stories and emotional support. By sharing experiences—whether that is a tough day at work, a personal struggle, or simply day-to-day thoughts—streamers open up a dialogue with their audience. The chat allows viewers to respond immediately, typing out messages of comfort, advice, or acknowledging what the streamer is going through. Despite being physically distant, this real-time interaction creates an atmosphere of bringing people closer, creating a community that feels emotionally connected to each other. Viewers often engage with a streamer’s disclosures by sharing their own experiences in the chat. Some viewers may be responding to the fact that acts of mutual self-disclosure (Derlega and Grzelak, 1979) foster closeness and when a streamer opens up about their life, viewers are prompted to do the same.

However, such disclosures lead to challenges. Although viewers can share their thoughts in the chat, it does not necessarily mean the streamer will always see or respond to them. Streamers, especially those with large followings, often face a flood of comments, and it is simply impossible to acknowledge every message. For example, a streamer might have hundreds of viewers all typing at once, making it easy for some messages to get lost in the flow. This may result in viewers who feel like they know the streamer well but are not as fully recognised in return. The asymmetry in streamer-viewer relationships is captured by Twitch streamer Robin who said, “I feel like they know me, and I know them to a certain point, but I am the only one with the mic turned on.” Even though streamers may not always engage directly with every comment, viewers often step in to support each other. If a streamer misses a message, the chat community is quick to pick up the conversation, offering words of encouragement or empathy. This collective interaction builds the sense of the stream as a community.

Even though it is happening across screens, the support on Twitch can replicate the everyday gestures of care we would offer to our friends and family. Take the example of streamer BoopCreate, who gave a verbal shout-out to a viewer who was working gruelling 80-hour weeks. Although BoopCreate’s primary focus was on gameplay, her quick response was likely to make the viewer feel seen and cared for. Meanwhile, other viewers in the chat jumped in to continue offering support, demonstrating how Twitch communities can offer collective care.

The concept of providing care in the Twitch community can be seen in the streams of Erin, who has a chronic illness. Erin, who identifies as a “spoonie” (a term used by people with chronic illnesses to describe their fluctuating energy levels), has found a way to keep their viewers engaged in their health and wellbeing, using a visual cue during her streams called a ‘spoon check’. She starts each stream with a set number of spoons, shown as spoons on the screen, which represent her energy for the day, with viewers using accrued channel points to ask for spoon checks. This creates an ongoing dialogue about her health, with viewers checking in on her and reminding her to rest if her spoons are running low. In return, Erin feels supported and cared for by her community, even though the interaction is entirely digital.

However, not every streamer experiences such positive reciprocity. Some, like Laura Cress, have found that while viewers are comfortable sharing their problems, it can be difficult to respond appropriately since she does not always know what is going on in their personal lives. For her, there is a fine line between offering care and feeling out of her depth. This speaks to the complexity of these online relationships, where the level of emotional intimacy might not always be balanced.

At the same time, there are moments when streamers themselves seek support from their community, only to be met with silence. For example, Alice, another streamer, shared a personal experience about her grandfather who passed away shortly before her stream had started. She expected her viewers to respond and offer support, but instead, she was met with no reaction in the chat. This lack of engagement left Alice with feelings of rejection (Derlega, 1984), underscoring how fragile these relationships can be when there is an imbalance in emotional exchange.

The relationship between streamers and their viewers offers an interesting and complex dynamic of reciprocity, support, and sometimes, disappointment. While not every interaction may lead to a deep connection, the opportunity to exchange care and support—despite the physical distance—shows how digital spaces can foster meaningful connections and build a sense of belonging among viewers.