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Twitch Rival Kick is currently grappling with a multi-layered backlash from its community—stemming from a range of issues including the platform’s failure to tackle harmful and derogatory usernames, allegations of view botting by some streamers, and more.
Twitch’s new competitor, Kick
Launched in December 2022, Kick has certainly made waves in the streaming world. Its distinguishing feature, compared to platforms like Twitch, is its more relaxed policies—such as permitting gambling streams.
Furthermore, Kick has been rumored to offer superior revenue opportunities for its streamers than competitors—making it a tempting choice for content creators seeking to earn a living through streaming.
However, despite its triumphs, Kick has faced scrutiny for its handling of particular situations.
The backlashes that Kick is currently facing
Case in point: popular Twitch streamer Hasan Piker criticized Kick for not taking action against Adin Ross—a fellow streamer who had broadcast sexually explicit content on the platform.
As Kick matures, moderation issues have become increasingly apparent. One of the most debated issues is the platform’s allowance for users to create accounts with harmful phrases.
Recently, Kick streamer LtKanada tweeted a screenshot of an account featuring a racist slur in its username—prompting him to call out Kick, insisting that such usernames shouldn’t be permitted.
Although LtKanada enjoys some of his streams on the platform, he believes many concerns need to be addressed. He further added that no creator should endure harassment on any platform, expressing hope that improvements are on the horizon.
Kick is also dealing with backlash due to ongoing view botting issues—previously acknowledged by Trainwreck himself.
While he claimed to be addressing the problem, it seems to persist, as evidenced by Twitch streamer CodyRiffs on April 7.
More and more issues
Initially impressed by the number of viewers on his first Kick stream, Cody later felt disappointed upon realizing that the viewer counts on the platform hold little weight. He concluded that the entire site appears plagued by view botting, and although it was a pleasant sensation at first, it ultimately left him feeling sour.
Kick has faced significant disapproval regarding its handling of username issues as well.
Some streamers have accused Kick of forcing them to change their usernames to benefit larger streamers.
Most recently, streamer Angelina alleged that Kick gave her handle to a more prominent content creator without her consent—fueling further indignation.
It would be best to just give it another shot
While it’s undeniable that these issues demand urgent attention, it’s important to remember that Kick is still a relatively new platform.
If criticism is taken seriously, it can serve as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
Embracing feedback and implementing changes can not only resolve specific problems but also bolster the overall reputation and success of the platform.
Otherwise, it could severely worsen the situation.
Just like how Twitch is yet to give a statement regarding their new sponsorship system that many streamers didn’t approve.
