Chat logs are an invaluable source of information for a streamer. Their value extends beyond merely holding a conversation with viewers during the stream. There is much to be found that can assist the streamer in enhancing their brand or content.
Key Takeaway
You can also gain valuable insights into your audience and receive feedback about your game. Additionally, you can identify any individuals who may be spoiling the experience and take necessary precautions if needed.
Let’s discuss how to access and manage Twitch chat logs!
Table of Contents
Ways to Check Twitch Chat History
You can access the Twitch chat history in several ways, each offering different options and search scopes. While none of these methods is perfect, they all have their advantages. You can select the one that best meets your needs.
1. Twitch Chat Logs by User
The User Search Command is a straightforward search that requires you to enter only the username of the user you wish to check in the chatbox of your channel. The command is /user (instead of the word ‘user’, type the name of the viewer you want to locate). You will receive several pieces of information about the user:
If the moderator has removed some comments from the user in question, those comments will not appear here. Therefore, if you are using this method to determine why someone was timed out or banned, you can find the time when that occurred and then refer to the chat in the VOD to view the deleted content.
2. Review the Entire Chat – VOD
The complete Twitch watch history, including the full chat, is accessible through the Video on Demand archive. When this tool is activated, it captures everything that occurs during your stream. Currently, this is the only method to view the entire chat log, including comments that were deleted during the stream.
If a problematic incident occurred in the chatbox during your stream and the moderator removed the offensive messages, you can review them by accessing the Twitch view history on VODs. The downside is that you must watch the entire video to locate the specific moment you need, so it would be helpful to have an estimate of the approximate time.
You should not procrastinate in using this method, as these videos are not available for an extended period. For partners, they are accessible for 60 days; for affiliates, for two weeks; and for non-affiliates, only for a few days.
3. Third-Party Programs for Twitch Chat Logs
The chat log tools available on Twitch are limited, prompting many streamers to opt for third-party programs. Some of these programs are open-source, while others require payment. They offer a range of features, but not all of them retain the entire chat log, so be sure to verify this aspect when selecting a program.
One of the most popular log viewers used by Twitch streamers is the Chatty software. It is open-source, making it free to download. It offers many useful features for streamers and moderators to monitor and manage the chat. It retains logs for several weeks, although this must be configured. One way to avoid losing this data is to save the chat history from Chatty to your computer.
4. Chatbot
This is an excellent method, likely the simplest, for keeping track of your chatbox. The chatbot software can moderate the chat by removing comments containing words from a list that you create. It can post timed messages or greet newcomers. Additionally, it can save the log, allowing you to browse through it or locate a specific comment you need.
It is essential to understand that this bot must be activated for each chat, and it cannot be utilized in chats where it has not been activated.
One of the most popular Twitch chatbots is the Nightbot, which offers a diverse range of outstanding features:
5. Moderators Can Review Twitch Chat Logs
Checking the Twitch message history is not limited to the streamer; moderators can also do it. A streamer can access the moderator view and locate a specific user in the following way. These two are the only Twitch chat viewers who can review chat logs for a stream.
At the bottom of the screen, click the sword icon to access the Moderator’s View. Here, you can select a user and view information about their chat activities, including whether they have been banned or timed out, any comments made about them by other moderators, their chat history, and more.
Deleting Twitch Logs
Twitch logs can be easily deleted. If they do not contain anything useful or are filled with inappropriate content, you can remove the entire chat and be finished with it. The steps are straightforward. Please note that you will need to be in moderator mode to do this.
Moderating a Chat
You can appoint someone to be your chat moderator during your stream. This person’s responsibility is to monitor the chat, answer questions related to the game, and take appropriate actions if someone misbehaves. Moderators are essential because you cannot play the game and monitor the chat simultaneously. Their role is to serve as your substitute in that regard.
There are even bots that can perform a variety of actions. Some of these include responding to gaming questions with preset answers, posting promotional links in chat, monitoring chats for banned words, and more.
However, when there are more than a few people chatting, it becomes nearly impossible to follow every single line, especially while you are playing a game. This is why accessing chat logs after a stream is important.
One important note: you should NEVER post the Twitch chat logs online for public viewing. This violates the Twitch Terms of Service, and you could face serious consequences. The reason for this is data privacy.
Until May 2020, there was a tool called OverRustle that stored chat logs. It was accessible to anyone. However, Twitch changed its policy, making it illegal to post chats publicly, which led to the discontinuation of this tool.
In the following sections, learn all about Twitch chat logs: why you should check them periodically and how you can review them. The conclusion will address some common questions people have about this topic.
Reasons for Reviewing Twitch Chat Logs
Reviewing the Twitch chat log history can be a tedious task. Often, it is. However, there are several reasons why you should examine them periodically. Read on to determine whether they are worth your time.
1. Understand Your Audience
By analyzing the comments from your viewers, you can determine the type of content they enjoy, identify which parts of the stream they found uninteresting, and recognize what they found entertaining. You can use this information to enhance your future streams.
2. Obtain feedback and collaboration opportunities
You may also receive direct feedback about your channel, brand, or playstyle from your viewers. Smaller channels might also get collaboration offers through this method, which you definitely don’t want to miss.
3. Stay updated with the inside jokes of your community
Your regular followers create a small community of Twitch. Over time, they become familiar with one another, communicate increasingly, and it becomes inevitable that inside jokes and memes will emerge. Reviewing the Twitch chat logs will help you stay informed about them, and you can (and should) use this knowledge to connect with your audience.
4. Analyze Punishments
It is possible that someone was banned when a time-out would have sufficed, or vice versa. If a user contacts you about this and you review the events leading up to the disciplinary action, you can rectify the situation. Additionally, a moderator might misuse their authority and penalize a user for personal reasons, which you can help prevent.
5. Ensure TOS is not violated
Twitch has a strict Terms of Service designed to prevent offensive and abusive behavior. However, it is the responsibility of streamers and moderators to enforce these rules. If individuals misbehave in your channel, you risk getting banned. Therefore, it is essential to learn the rules thoroughly and ensure they are adhered to on your channel. Additionally, it is important not to overlook insulting comments, as doing so may lead your viewers to believe you agree with them, potentially causing them to leave your channel.
6. Discover Banned Users
Since Twitch accounts are free, banned users can create new accounts to re-enter your channel. If you encountered issues with someone, you may want to review your Twitch chat records for similar names or writing styles to ensure that a toxic user hasn’t returned to post inappropriate comments again.
Identify who is loyal to your channel. By reviewing a chat log, you can also see the users who are most active in your community, which can be used to offer praise or rewards.
Conclusion
This text serves to present some fundamental concepts related to Twitch chat logs. First, you can read about the reasons why it is beneficial to check your log periodically.
The next section discussed five methods for accessing the Twitch chat archive. Following that was a brief guide on how to delete a chat log that you no longer need.
Ultimately, some of the pressing questions about the topic were addressed. I hope you found the text helpful. Enjoy chatting and reviewing your conversations.
Related: Twitch Chat Rules – Top Basic and Custom Chat Rules
