How to See How Long You Followed Someone on Twitch
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. You want to know how long you’ve been following a streamer on Twitch. There’s no built-in, glaringly obvious feature within Twitch itself to instantly display this information. However, with a little detective work and leveraging some clever browser extensions, you can uncover this valuable piece of streaming history.
Unfortunately, Twitch does not natively display the exact date or duration you’ve been following a channel. So, you’ll need to rely on external tools or methods. The most common and reliable approach involves using third-party browser extensions designed for Twitch enhancements. These extensions tap into Twitch’s API and often provide the functionality you’re seeking, alongside a host of other useful features.
Diving Deep: Browser Extensions and Their Magic
The key to unlocking your follow history lies in browser extensions. Several reputable extensions are available that enrich your Twitch experience, and many of them include follow-age tracking. Here are a few options:
1. Twitch Chat Stats
This extension is very useful to track different statistics on Twitch and it shows you how long you’ve been following a Twitch user. If you don’t have it, you can install it from the Chrome web store or Mozilla Firefox Add-ons.
Once you have installed it, go to the Twitch channel you want to know how long you have followed. Once you are in the channel, click the extension icon in your browser and select “Follow Date”. This will show you a message with the date you followed the user.
2. Other potential Extensions.
Other extensions might offer similar functionalities, such as:
- BetterTTV (BTTV): A popular choice known for its enhanced emotes, BTTV sometimes includes follow-age tracking, though its feature set can vary with updates.
- FrankerFaceZ (FFZ): Similar to BTTV, FFZ focuses on emotes but might also offer additional information about your Twitch activity, including follow details.
Important Note: Before installing any browser extension, do your due diligence. Check reviews, ratings, and developer reputation. Ensure the extension is from a trusted source to safeguard your privacy and security. Permissions are important; be aware of what data the extension requests access to.
How to Use a Browser Extension to Check Follow Age: A General Guide
While the specific steps might differ slightly depending on the extension you choose, the general process is as follows:
- Install the Extension: Go to the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, or the extension’s official website and install it.
- Activate the Extension: In your browser, enable the extension. You might need to refresh your Twitch page for it to take effect.
- Navigate to the Channel: Go to the Twitch channel of the streamer you want to check.
- Locate the Follow Age Display: The extension will usually add an element to the channel page, often near the follow button or within the channel’s information section, displaying how long you’ve been following. You might need to hover over a specific icon or text to reveal the information.
- Enjoy Your Streaming Nostalgia: Now you can see exactly how long you’ve been part of that community!
Alternative Method: Manual Calculation (The Hard Way)
If you’re hesitant to use browser extensions, or if they’re not working as expected, there’s a very tedious workaround – checking your Twitch email history.
- Search Your Email: Search your email inbox (the one associated with your Twitch account) for keywords like “Twitch follow” or “[Streamer’s Name] follow.”
- Locate the Confirmation Email: When you initially followed a channel, Twitch likely sent you a confirmation email. If you can find this email, the date on the email is the date you followed the channel.
- Calculate the Duration: Once you have the follow date, you can manually calculate the duration between that date and the current date. Online date calculators can assist with this.
This method is time-consuming and relies on you not deleting the original confirmation emails. It’s generally not the recommended approach, but it’s an option if other methods fail.
Why Doesn’t Twitch Have a Native Feature?
That’s the million-dollar question! Twitch’s user interface and feature development seem to prioritize other aspects of the streaming experience, such as discovery, monetization, and community engagement. Showing follow duration likely hasn’t been deemed a high-priority feature, although many users have requested it.
FAQs: Your Burning Twitch Follow-Age Questions Answered
1. Is it safe to use browser extensions to check my follow age on Twitch?
Generally, yes, if you choose reputable extensions from trusted sources. Always research an extension before installing it. Read reviews, check the developer’s reputation, and be mindful of the permissions the extension requests. Avoid extensions that seem suspicious or ask for excessive data access.
2. Will the streamer know I’m using an extension to check how long I’ve followed them?
No, the streamer has no way of knowing you’re using an extension to check your follow age. This information is client-side, meaning it’s processed on your browser and not transmitted to the streamer or Twitch.
3. Can I see how long someone else has followed a channel?
No, unfortunately. These methods only reveal how long you have followed a channel, not how long other viewers have been following. That information is private to each individual user.
4. What if the browser extension isn’t working?
Several factors could cause an extension to malfunction. First, ensure the extension is enabled and up-to-date. Clear your browser cache and cookies, as these can sometimes interfere with extension functionality. If the problem persists, try disabling other extensions to rule out conflicts. Finally, contact the extension developer for support or consider trying a different extension.
5. Does Twitch have an API that allows developers to access follow dates?
Yes, Twitch has an API that allows developers to access certain user data, including follow relationships. Browser extensions leverage this API to retrieve and display your follow age. However, the API’s capabilities and terms of use are subject to change.
6. Will Twitch ever implement a native follow-age feature?
It’s impossible to say for sure. Twitch’s roadmap and feature priorities are closely guarded. However, given the frequent user requests for this feature, it’s possible that Twitch will consider implementing it in the future.
7. Are there any mobile apps that can check follow age?
Some third-party mobile apps exist that integrate with Twitch, but their functionality and reliability can vary. As with browser extensions, exercise caution and research any app before installing it. Be especially wary of apps that request excessive permissions or have poor reviews.
8. What happens if I unfollow and then refollow a channel? Will it reset my follow age?
Yes, unfollowing a channel and then refollowing it will reset your follow age. The extension or method you use will then display the duration of your current follow relationship, not your previous one.
9. Can I use these methods to see how long I’ve been subscribed to a channel?
Not directly. Follow age and subscription duration are separate metrics. While some extensions might offer subscription tracking, the methods described in this article are primarily focused on follow age.
10. Is there a way to see a complete history of all the channels I’ve ever followed?
Unfortunately, Twitch does not provide a comprehensive list of every channel you’ve ever followed. You can only see your current follows.
11. Why is my follow date showing up as “null” or “unknown” even with an extension?
This can happen for a few reasons. The extension might not be properly configured, the Twitch API might be experiencing issues, or your account data might not be accessible. Try refreshing the page, restarting your browser, or contacting the extension developer for assistance. Also, ensure the extension is compatible with the current version of Twitch.
12. Will using these methods violate Twitch’s Terms of Service?
Using browser extensions to enhance your Twitch experience is generally permitted, as long as the extensions don’t violate Twitch’s Terms of Service. Avoid extensions that automate actions, engage in malicious behavior, or collect excessive user data without consent. Always use extensions responsibly and ethically.
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