Why Did Twitch Delete All My VODs? Understanding Twitch VOD Deletion Policies

Let’s get straight to the point. Your Twitch VODs (Videos on Demand), the recordings of your past broadcasts, likely disappeared because of one or a combination of these factors: Twitch’s VOD storage limits, DMCA takedown requests related to copyrighted music, or manual deletion either by you or someone with access to your account. Twitch maintains VODs for a limited time, depending on your account status. Regular broadcasters have their VODs stored for 7 days, while Twitch Affiliates might get 14 days. Twitch Partners, Prime Gaming users, and Twitch Turbo subscribers enjoy a longer 60-day storage period. Once this period passes, VODs are automatically deleted to free up storage space. However, DMCA takedown notices are a major culprit lately. Twitch has been actively enforcing copyright policies, deleting VODs and clips that contain copyrighted music, regardless of the storage period. It’s also possible, though less likely, that you (or someone with access) inadvertently deleted the VODs. Let’s delve deeper into these reasons and what you can do about them.

Understanding Twitch’s VOD Retention Policy

The core reason for VOD deletion is storage constraints. Twitch hosts millions of hours of content, and storing everything indefinitely would be impractical. Therefore, they implement a tiered system based on account status:

• Regular Broadcasters: 7 days of VOD storage.
• Twitch Affiliates: Often offered 14 days of VOD storage (check your specific Affiliate agreement).
• Twitch Partners, Prime Gaming & Twitch Turbo: 60 days of VOD storage.

After these periods, VODs are automatically removed. It’s crucial to understand your account’s retention period and proactively manage your content. If you want to keep a broadcast, you must download it or create a Highlight (more on that later) before it expires.

DMCA Takedown Notices and Copyrighted Music

In recent years, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) has significantly impacted Twitch. Twitch must comply with DMCA regulations, which means removing content flagged for copyright infringement. The primary trigger for these takedowns is copyrighted music played during your streams. Even if you have a music subscription (like Spotify or Apple Music), that doesn’t grant you the right to broadcast it publicly on Twitch.

If Twitch receives a DMCA takedown notice related to your VOD, they will likely remove the VOD entirely. In some cases, they might even mute the audio of the VOD to comply with the notice. Multiple DMCA strikes can lead to account suspension or even permanent ban.

Accidental or Intentional Deletion

While less common, it’s possible that your VODs were deleted manually. Anyone with access to your Twitch account can delete VODs through the Video Producer dashboard. If you suspect unauthorized access, change your password immediately and enable two-factor authentication (2FA). You might have deleted it accidentally, so always double check.

Solutions and Prevention

So, what can you do to prevent your VODs from disappearing?

• Download Your VODs: Before they expire, download the VODs you want to keep. Use the Video Producer dashboard to find the download option.
• Create Highlights: Highlights are shorter clips extracted from your VODs. These are saved permanently on your channel (unless you delete them). Creating highlights of your best moments ensures you always have a record of your content.
• Use Copyright-Free Music: The best way to avoid DMCA takedowns is to use copyright-free music in your streams. There are many services and libraries offering royalty-free music for streamers.
• Mute Audio Tracks: If you must play copyrighted music, consider using a program like OBS Studio to separate your audio tracks. This allows you to mute the music track in your VODs while still hearing it during the live stream.
• Review Twitch’s DMCA Guidelines: Stay up-to-date with Twitch’s DMCA policies to ensure you’re compliant.
• Check Your VOD Storage Period: Verify your account status to understand how long Twitch stores your VODs. Upgrade to Twitch Partner, Prime Gaming, or Twitch Turbo for longer storage.
• Enable 2FA: Protect your account from unauthorized access by enabling two-factor authentication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Twitch VOD Deletion

Here are 15 common questions about Twitch VODs and their deletion:

1. How long do Twitch VODs last for regular broadcasters? Regular broadcasters have their past broadcasts saved for 7 days before being deleted.
2. How long do Twitch Partner VODs last? Twitch Partners have their past broadcasts saved for 60 days.
3. Why did Twitch delete my VOD even though it was less than 7 days old? The most likely reason is a DMCA takedown notice due to copyrighted music.
4. Can I recover deleted Twitch VODs? Unfortunately, once a VOD is deleted, it cannot be recovered. This is why downloading or creating highlights is so important.
5. How do I download my Twitch VODs? Go to your Video Producer dashboard, find the VOD, click the three dots, and select Download.
6. What are Twitch Highlights? Highlights are shorter clips created from your VODs that are permanently saved on your channel.
7. How do I create a Twitch Highlight? Go to your Video Producer dashboard, find the VOD, and click the “Highlight” button. Select the sections you want to include and create your highlight.
8. What is a DMCA takedown notice on Twitch? A DMCA takedown notice is a legal notice sent to Twitch by a copyright holder claiming that your content infringes on their copyright.
9. What happens if I get multiple DMCA takedown notices? Multiple DMCA strikes can lead to account suspension or even a permanent ban from Twitch.
10. Can I use copyrighted music in my Twitch streams? Technically, no. Using copyrighted music without permission violates copyright law and can result in DMCA takedown notices.
11. Where can I find copyright-free music for Twitch? There are many services and libraries offering royalty-free music for streamers, such as Pretzel Rocks, StreamBeats, and Epidemic Sound.
12. What is the best way to avoid DMCA takedowns on Twitch? The best way is to use copyright-free music or mute audio tracks in your VODs.
13. Does Twitch automatically delete accounts that are inactive? Twitch removes accounts that are no longer active, meaning, there is no viewing or login activity associated with the account for at least 12 months.
14. How do I turn off auto raid on Twitch? Go to Creator Dashboard. Click Settings > Stream in the Creator Dashboard. Scroll down to reach the Raid section. Toggle between Allow raids from channels that meet the following requirements or Deny all raids.
15. How do I check my Twitch VOD storage period? Your VOD storage period depends on your account status. Regular broadcasters get 7 days, Affiliates may get 14 days, and Partners, Prime Gaming & Twitch Turbo users get 60 days. This is usually outlined in your account agreement.

Navigating Twitch’s policies can be tricky, but understanding the VOD deletion rules, DMCA guidelines, and your account’s specific retention period will help you protect your content and avoid unwanted surprises. Remember to always download your VODs and create highlights of your best moments!

If you’re interested in further exploring the intersection of gaming, learning, and culture, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.