Twitch removes ‘shoutout’ option for refunding subs after streamer backlash
Twitch has removed an option users could give as a reason for refunding their subscription to a channel, after streamers said it would encourage trolls to sub just for a shoutout, before canceling.
Streamers on Twitch thrive off of ads and subscriptions to make a living. While there are ways for fans to get around the former, the latter is purely optional yet prime for abuse.
Anyone who has ever watched a Twitch stream probably knows that when a streamer gets a subscription, they get out of their way to thank the viewer in some capacity and recognize the fact their content was deserving of a few bucks.
Look, I understand having a quick refund option could be important if you accidentally gift the wrong amount of subs or hit the 3/6 month option instead of 1. I do get that
But why feed the trolls????
— TinyTrees 🌲 (@TinyTreesTV)July 16, 2025
Viewers could select “I just wanted to get a shoutout” as their reason for canceling a subscription.
“Here ya go trolls, here’s another zero-cost way to troll the streamer,” she remarked on the new option. “One step forward, two steps back.”
“Look, I understand having a quick refund option could be important if you accidentally gift the wrong amount of subs or hit the 3/6 month option instead of 1. I do get that,” she further added. “But why feed the trolls?”
Update, March 10: Twitch has responded to concerns around this refund option, and are removing the shoutout option.
— Twitch Support (@TwitchSupport)July 16, 2025
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Twitch users are still able to refund subscriptions shortly after purchasing them, although it does not apply to gifted subs.
