Frequently Asked Questions
In-depth answers about BadgeAlerts, Twitch badges, emotes, data sources, and the schedule.
What are global badges?
Global badges are official Twitch badges that anyone can earn by watching, subscribing, or participating in specific events (e.g. TwitchCon, recaps, game launches). They appear next to your username in chat and are different from channel-specific subscriber or bits badges. Browse every global badge, including claim windows and history, on our Badges page.
What are global emotes?
Global emotes are official Twitch emotes available to all users. They can be animated or static and are often tied to events, partnerships, or platform campaigns. They are separate from channel emotes (subscriber, follower, etc.). Explore the full directory on our Emotes page.
How do I claim badges and emotes?
Claim windows and instructions vary by badge and emote. Check the Schedule for current and upcoming claim periods, and open any badge or emote page for “How to Claim” details. You can also browse all badges on the Badges page and filter or sort by date. Some require watching a channel or category for a set time; others are tied to subscriptions or events.
What is the Schedule?
The Schedule shows badges and emotes you can claim now or in the next 30 days, with date ranges and links to each item. You can view it on the Schedule page and subscribe to the calendar feed (e.g. in Google Calendar or Outlook) so claim windows appear in your calendar and you don’t miss a window.
Why are some badges and emotes limited-time?
Twitch runs many campaigns and events (e.g. TwitchCon, game launches, recaps) that have fixed start and end dates. The badges and emotes tied to those events are only claimable during that window. Limiting them keeps the rewards tied to the event and gives viewers a reason to tune in during the period. We surface those windows on the Schedule and on each badge or emote page so you know when to claim.
Do removed badges or emotes ever come back?
Sometimes. Twitch can retire a global badge or emote (we track these as “removed” and show them in our “Show removed” filters). They occasionally return for a new claim window or event; when they do, we update the schedule and claim info. There’s no guaranteed pattern — the best way to stay informed is to check the Schedule and our blog for announcements.
Where does BadgeAlerts get its data from?
We use Twitch’s official APIs (Helix and related endpoints) for global badges and emotes, TwitchTracker’s API for channel-level stats (e.g. 30-day analytics), and Potat (potat.app) for leaderboard user counts. We store and refresh this data so we can show history, claim windows, and “first seen” / “removed” dates. Claim date ranges and “How to Claim” text are maintained by our team based on Twitch announcements and event details.
How often is the data updated?
Badge and emote lists are refreshed on a regular schedule (e.g. every few hours) so new additions and removals are detected quickly. The Schedule and claim windows reflect the latest data we have. Leaderboard user counts come from a separate snapshot that updates periodically. If you don’t see something yet, it may have just been added; try refreshing later.
What is the Leaderboard and how is it calculated?
The Leaderboard shows the most-used global badges on Twitch, with user counts indicating how many accounts have that badge. The counts come from aggregated snapshot data (we don’t have access to individual account details). It’s a useful way to see which badges are most popular and to compare rarity.
Why don’t I see a badge or emote on my account?
If you claimed during the window but don’t see it: make sure you’re looking at the correct badge set (some have multiple versions). Our Collection page shows badges we detect on your Twitch account after you log in. If a badge is missing there, it may be a delay in Twitch’s systems, or the badge might be channel-specific rather than global. Double-check the claim instructions on the badge’s page on BadgeAlerts.
Does BadgeAlerts include subscriber or channel-specific badges?
We focus on global badges and emotes — the ones anyone can earn from events, recaps, or platform campaigns. Subscriber badges, bits badges, and channel-specific emotes are not in our global directory. For those, check the channel’s page on Twitch or our Channels section for channel-level info where applicable.
What are “removed” badges and emotes?
“Removed” means Twitch has retired that badge or emote from the global set — it’s no longer claimable and may no longer show in chat for new users. We keep a history so you can still view them and see when they were removed. On the Badges and Emotes pages you can turn on “Show removed” to include these in the list.
How do I track my collection?
Log in with Twitch to see badges you’ve earned in one place. Your Collection lists global badges we detect on your account. Manage notification preferences and other settings in your Dashboard. We only read your public Twitch profile and badge data; we don’t post or change anything on your account.
Is BadgeAlerts affiliated with Twitch?
No. BadgeAlerts is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Twitch. We use Twitch’s public APIs and data to build a discovery and tracking tool for the community. All badge and emote assets and claim rules are determined by Twitch. Our descriptions and “How to Claim” info are written by us to help you find and claim them.