Getting the Most from Raids
- Why you've been raiding wrong, how to do it correctly to get maximum benefit.
- PUBLISHED: 27-June-2025
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What is Raiding and Why Do We Raid?
Raiding on Twitch happens when you finish your stream and send all your viewers to another streamer so they can continue watching. YouTube has its own version called redirect, but it’s not as well known, and most streamers just say goodbye and end the viewing experience.
On Twitch, raiding lets you keep the viewing going and gives your community a chance to meet new people.
I always recommend raiding, no matter how big or small the raid is. It extends the experience for your viewers. Even if you have to raid and run, it’s still worth doing.
Beyond benefiting your viewers, raiding also creates networking opportunities for you. Many streamers like to follow those who raid them, and some will even return the favour. This can be great for your growth and content. Plus, it’s simply a nice gesture to pass on your viewership to someone else.
What People Usually Do and Why It’s Wrong
Most people raid the same streamers over and over, usually people they know or who already know them. You’ll often hear something like, “Let’s go see XYZ, they’re good peeps.” That’s nice, and it makes sense because you’re sharing the love with someone familiar. It’s also safer because you trust them with your community.
One of the main points of raiding is networking and meeting new people. Raiding someone who already knows you does neither. After you’ve raided someone a few times, you’ve likely gotten all the benefit you’re going to get. If they haven’t followed you or returned a raid by now, they probably never will.
At that point, raiding them isn’t doing much for you. Sure, it gives your viewers somewhere to go, but you’re not growing from it.
What You Should Do Instead
So, how do we get the most out of raids? The answer is simple: raid people you don’t know. There are a few ways to find them:
- Ask chat for suggestions — viewers are usually happy to recommend someone new.
- Browse the category you’re streaming in. This helps build connections with peers who share your content space.
- Browse via tags to find people with shared interests or vibes.
Raiding someone unfamiliar has its risks, but since raids already have high drop-off rates, I wouldn’t worry too much. Your community will likely make up their own minds and leave if it’s not a good fit.
Final Thoughts
I’m not saying you should never raid people you know. I still do occasionally, I call them “easy raids” I don’t have to introduce myself, and I can just raid and go. I often do this if the stream has gone longer than expected or I’m too tired to engage properly. Sometimes if a friend is doing a charity stream, a subathon, or celebrating something special, raiding them is still perfectly fine.
However… If you want to grow, or if you see Twitch Partner in your future, then expanding your reach is essential. There are many factors that affect growth, but raiding new people is one of the simplest and most effective tools you have.
Personally, I often raid into the streamerbot tag or, more recently, the godot tag, because that is the core of my content so it allows to build a connection.
You still have to do what feels right for you. The most common excuse I hear is, “What if they’re not a nice person?” Or, “I don’t like choosing someone.” To me, those just sound like excuses. In all my time doing this, I’ve never had a truly bad raid and if a raid doesn’t go well, just don’t return your community will likely do the same.
As for picking someone, don’t overthink it. Maybe just choose someone around your view count, if you don’t like “raiding up”, whose stream looks good. The best advice I can give is this: the first person you see and think, “They don’t look too bad,” raid them. If you start weighing up too many maybes, you’ll hesitate. Just pick someone, raid, and move on.
The more you do it, the more confident you’ll become. I used to get really nervous, but now I just raid. And I’m happy to share how I found that stream to build the connection.
So get out there… Happy Raiding!