Don't Reward 2: Sub Gaming. Self-subscribing or paying friends to subscribe to inflate sub count.

How platforms detect sub gaming:

• Subs paid from the streamer's own account or close-IP accounts
• Subs with no chat activity, no follow date, no profile activity
• Sudden sub spikes during low-engagement broadcasts
• Pattern of subs that immediately cancel at month-end without renewal

Why it doesn't work: sub count alone is not a major ranking signal in 2026. The algorithm cares about follow-to-sub conversion rate, sub renewal rate, and sub-to-engagement correlation. A high sub count with low engagement looks suspicious to the filter layer.

What to do instead:

• Build organic sub conversion (covered in Signal 6 of Module 2)
• Create sub-only content that demonstrates clear value
• Reward engaged chatters with sub-tier shoutouts
• Run sub-train moments during emotional highs

The discipline: chase organic sub growth, not inflated count. Algorithms reward conversion mechanics, not vanity numbers.