Tactic 5: Strategic Raiding. Peer-size raids strengthen your network signal and build the relationships that compound discovery.

The peer-vs-slightly-smaller logic:

• Raiding peers (within 2x your CCV): reciprocal — both audiences benefit. The signal weights moderately.
• Raiding slightly smaller (50-70% of your CCV): highest network signal. The smaller streamer thanks you publicly. Builds long-term reciprocity. Algorithm weights this favorably as community-building.
• Raiding much smaller (under 50%): diminishing returns. The smaller streamer doesn't have enough audience to reciprocate meaningfully.
• Raiding much larger (above 2x your CCV): one-way audience transfer. Algorithm reads as low-quality network signal because the relationship can't reciprocate.

The strategic pattern:

• End every stream with a raid (one tier smaller)
• Build a roster of 5-10 peer streamers in your raid rotation
• Raid the same streamers regularly to compound the relationship
• Avoid raiding the same person multiple streams in a row (algorithm may discount)

Strategic raiding is one of the highest-leverage social signals you can build.