Much of the oft-repeated advice for streamers here is based on the false assumption that top streamers are successful because they do the right things and are very good at streaming. Recent leaks from major social media companies have revealed there is a conscious strategy used in choosing who becomes "viral" and it is practically the opposite of what you might think. Among folks in the tech industry, this is all pretty well known by now, and it is an industry-wide phenomenon.

In short, most of the biggest streamers have been elevated to the top of their platforms due to a complete lack of talent. The idea is that it makes the dream of a career in streaming seem more accessible, and essentially it serves as bait for aspirational streamers so that they think success is just as simple as being yourself. You don't need to be able to do voices, carry a tune, put on a comedy bit, or display any other form of showmanship and that you will succeed the most just by "being yourself." This patently absurd idea is repeated time and time again, with people saying the key to success is laziness and lack of talent. Once these folks get the bag, they usually stream less than once per month and put in less effort than ever, because there is no passion or art in "being yourself" but all that is left there is exaggerated drama and outrage bait.

This should probably serve as some consolation to the extreme hard work put in by many Twitch Partners who will always find this top level of streaming to be outside of their grasp. At that level, they aren't there as an entertainer but as an advertisement for the platform that says, "look how much money anyone anywhere can make by simply going live." The creators do not even realize this is how and why they became successful. The truth is that their "blowup" was determined when someone behind the scenes pressed a button to heat them up.

So where do you go from here? I think this is the most helpful piece of advice you can get as a streamer, don't fall into the trap of imitating top level streamers, because they obviously didn't get there based on merit. And now we basically have a smoking gun report proving that they don't. If you're aspirational, look more towards partner level streamers that have an act, or several acts, than the folks who are making millions off of dead air. Don't just sit there "being yourself." That's nothing, that will never work. You wish! To make it you gotta do something, it doesn't matter what. Rapping, riffing on comedy material, singing, magic tricks, gaming at a pro level, grinding as any other entertainer would. Just bring something to the table. Don't let anyone tell you that doing a bit or having a character is going to paint you into a corner and hold you back from success as a top personality streamer who succeeds by "being themselves" - it will never happen! That stuff is a carefully crafted lie, to increase the content generation. Most people, even the public, are finally starting to see through that smokescreen.

Anyway, I hope this helps you out if you're a new streamer, or an old streamer wondering why you aren't progressing towards the top already