xQc exposes viewer botting on Twitch, claims agencies inflate numbers for ad revenue

Twitch recently rolled out updates targeting viewbotting fake viewership created by scripts to inflate stats. One of the platform’s biggest names, xQc, didn’t just note the change; he shone a light on what he sees as deceptive practices by certain talent agencies and streamers.

In a widely shared post, xQc called it fraud: when agencies profit from padding their streamers’ view counts, they’re selling inflated ad packages. That game not only cheats the system, but it sidelines legitimate creators. And now, due to Twitch’s new crackdown, the truth is getting harder to hide.

Viewer Botting on Twitch: What’s Going On?

xQc’s post struck a chord after Twitch unveiled stricter anti-botting tech. The platform confirmed that it has improved its ability to identify fake engagement, meaning view counts should now more closely reflect real viewers. As a result, streamers like Asmongold, xQc himself, and Mizkif reportedly saw sharp drops in their numbers.

That drop-off is what really gave xQc leverage. He argued that some agencies deliberately inflated their streamers' viewership to make ad packages look more lucrative, amounting to straight-up fraud.

The post went viral because xQc didn’t just express frustration; he offered visible context. He pointed to a pattern: agencies take a cut from ad revenue tied to view counts. By propping up those numbers, they stand to make more while drowning out smaller streamers. It’s a system built to benefit the already-advantaged.

The timing also helped. Twitch’s new enforcement made people pay attention, as evidenced by declining viewership across big channels. Suddenly, xQc’s accusations looked like more than just hot takes; they aligned with real, measurable shifts in the platform.

Felix "xQc" Lengyel is one of the most prominent creators known for cutting commentary and having an enormous following. In April 2025, he specifically called out associates of Kai Cenat (namely Reggie and RaKai), accusing them of viewbotting after tracking their meteoric jump from around 1,000 to 60,000 viewers in a short span. He was emphatic: “From a 1K Andy to 20K overnight… they’re botted out the wazoo.” When pressed, he added that what looked like raises were probably orchestrated by agencies pulling strings behind the scenes.

Some investigations backed up his concerns. Many users flagged channels with massive viewer spikes yet minimal chat engagement, classic signs of botting.

xQc’s viral post wasn’t just online drama; it was a symptom of a bigger issue plaguing live streaming. With Twitch now actively purging fake engagement, the platform is moving toward more transparency. If agencies are indeed gaming the system, full exposure (and eventual reform) may finally be in sight. For small streamers, especially, that could be the chance in the spotlight they deserve.

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