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How to Blacklist and Ban Specific Words in Twitch Chat Rooms

Key Takeaways:

  • Twitch provides AutoMod, a built-in tool to automatically detect and filter out blacklisted words and phrases in your chat.
  • You can customize AutoMod settings to block specific terms, set moderation levels, and create whitelists for permitted words.
  • Third-party bots like Nightbot and StreamBud offer additional moderation features beyond Twitch’s native tools.
  • Recruiting human moderators from your community is crucial for effective chat management alongside automated tools.
  • Clearly defining and enforcing chat rules helps maintain a positive and inclusive environment for your viewers.

As a Twitch streamer, managing your chat room is essential for cultivating a welcoming and engaging community. While open dialogue is encouraged, you’ll want to maintain control over the language and content shared in your chat. Twitch provides tools to help you blacklist and ban specific words or phrases that violate your channel’s rules or guidelines.

Twitch’s Built-in AutoMod

Twitch’s AutoMod is a built-in moderation bot that automatically scans chat messages and flags potentially offensive or inappropriate content. It uses machine learning to detect and filter out blacklisted words, hate speech, personal attacks, and other forms of harassment.

To access AutoMod settings, log into your Twitch account, click on your profile icon, and navigate to the “Creator Dashboard” > “Settings” > “Moderation” section. Here, you’ll find several options to customize AutoMod’s behavior:

  1. AutoMod Ruleset: This setting allows you to adjust the overall strictness of AutoMod’s filtering. You can choose from four levels, with Level 4 being the most aggressive in flagging potentially offensive content.
  2. Blocked Terms and Phrases: In this section, you can manually enter specific words or phrases you want AutoMod to block. When a viewer’s message contains a blocked term, AutoMod will flag it for your review before allowing it in the chat.
  3. Permitted Terms and Phrases: Use this whitelist to override AutoMod’s filtering for certain words or phrases you deem acceptable in your chat.

AutoMod is an excellent starting point for basic chat moderation, but it may not catch everything, especially slang, non-English words, or context-specific phrases. That’s where additional tools and human moderation come into play.

Third-Party Moderation Bots

While Twitch’s AutoMod is a powerful tool, some streamers prefer to use third-party bots for more advanced moderation features. Two popular options are Nightbot and StreamBud.

Nightbot is a free, user-friendly bot that offers a range of moderation tools, including:

  • Customizable word filters and blacklists
  • Spam protection
  • Timed message deletion
  • Viewer warning and timeout systems
  • Customizable commands and responses

StreamBud is another moderation bot with a robust set of features, such as:

  • Automated moderation for links, caps locks, and spam
  • One-click user moderation (ban, timeout, etc.)
  • Custom commands and timed messages
  • Viewer tagging and permission management
  • Integration with StreamTip for donation tracking

Both Nightbot and StreamBud offer free and paid versions, with the paid versions providing additional features and customization options.

Recruiting Human Moderators

While automated tools are invaluable for basic moderation, they can’t replace the nuance and context that human moderators bring to the table. As your channel grows, it’s essential to recruit trusted members of your community to serve as moderators.

Human moderators can:

  • Provide context-aware moderation, understanding the intent behind messages
  • Engage with viewers, answer questions, and foster a positive community
  • Enforce your channel’s specific rules and guidelines
  • Handle complex situations that automated tools may miss

When selecting moderators, look for individuals who are active in your community, exhibit maturity and good judgment, and align with your channel’s values and goals.

Defining and Enforcing Chat Rules

Effective moderation starts with clearly defined chat rules that set expectations for behavior and language in your channel. Your chat rules should cover topics such as:

  • Hate speech, harassment, and personal attacks
  • Excessive profanity or offensive language
  • Spamming and self-promotion
  • Discussing sensitive or mature topics
  • Consequences for rule violations (timeouts, bans, etc.)

Once you’ve established your chat rules, make sure to communicate them clearly to your viewers. Display them prominently on your channel page, mention them during streams, and have your moderators consistently enforce them.

Maintaining a positive and inclusive chat environment is crucial for building a strong and engaged community on Twitch. By leveraging the tools and strategies outlined in this article, you can effectively blacklist and ban specific words while fostering a space where respectful dialogue can thrive.

FAQ

How do I add words to AutoMod’s blacklist?

To add words or phrases to AutoMod’s blacklist, follow these steps:

  1. Log into your Twitch account and navigate to the “Creator Dashboard” > “Settings” > “Moderation” section.
  2. Click on “Blocked Terms and Phrases.”
  3. Type the word(s) or phrase(s) you want to block in the provided text box.
  4. After entering each term, a popup will appear. Choose either “Private” or “Public,” then click “Add” to save the term to your filtered list.

Can I use wildcards in AutoMod’s blacklist?

Yes, AutoMod allows the use of wildcards in the form of ‘‘ when adding blocked terms. For example, if you enter ‘hate,’ AutoMod will block words like ‘hateful’ and ‘hater.’ Be cautious when using wildcards to avoid unintentionally blocking words you don’t intend to filter.

How do I whitelist permitted words in AutoMod?

To whitelist permitted words or phrases in AutoMod, follow these steps:

  1. Log into your Twitch account and navigate to the “Creator Dashboard” > “Settings” > “Moderation” section.
  2. Scroll down to the “Permitted Terms and Phrases” section.
  3. Type the word(s) or phrase(s) you want to permit in the provided text box.
  4. After entering each term, a popup will appear. Choose either “Private” or “Public,” then click “Add” to save the term to your permitted list.

Can I use third-party bots like Nightbot and StreamBud alongside AutoMod?

Yes, you can use third-party moderation bots like Nightbot and StreamBud in addition to Twitch’s built-in AutoMod. These bots offer additional features and customization options that can complement AutoMod’s capabilities.

How do I recruit and manage human moderators for my Twitch channel?

To recruit human moderators, look for active and trusted members of your community who exhibit maturity, good judgment, and alignment with your channel’s values. Provide them with clear guidelines and expectations, and establish a system for communication and coordination among your moderation team.

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