Twitch Categories Scraper 🎮

What does Twitch Categories Scraper do?

Twitch Categories Scraper collects structured category data from the Twitch Directory. Enter the main directory URL or a public Twitch directory collection URL, choose how many unique categories you want, and receive records with category names, slugs, viewer counts, tags, artwork, and direct Twitch URLs.

The dataset is useful for Twitch market research, gaming trend analysis, creator planning, sponsorship research, category monitoring, and dashboards that need repeatable snapshots of Twitch demand.

Why use Twitch Categories Scraper?

• Find categories with active audiences - Compare current viewersCount values across Twitch games, topics, and other directory categories.
• Research niches before publishing content - Use category names, tags, and viewer activity to identify areas worth testing.
• Monitor changes over time - Schedule recurring runs and compare datasets to see how category interest moves.
• Start with a public Twitch URL - Use the standard Twitch Directory or a directory collection as the run input.
• Export ready-to-use datasets - Download JSON, CSV, Excel, XML, and other formats supported by Apify.
• Connect to your workflow - Send completed runs to Google Sheets, webhooks, Make, Zapier, dashboards, or your own application through the Apify API.

What data can you extract from Twitch Directory?

Each dataset item represents one Twitch category. Empty values are omitted when Twitch does not provide them for a category.

Field	Type	Description
categoryId	String	Twitch identifier for the category.
slug	String	URL-friendly category slug.
name	String	Public category display name.
internalName	String	Category name supplied by Twitch as an alternate name value.
url	String	Direct Twitch URL for the category.
avatarUrl	String	Category artwork or thumbnail URL when available.
viewersCount	Number	Current viewer count associated with the category.
originalReleaseDate	String	Original release date when Twitch provides it.
tags	Array	Content tags, including tag IDs and localized names when available.
trackingId	String	Optional source tracking value retained for record provenance.
cursor	String	Optional source cursor associated with the category record.
source	String	Identifies whether the item came from the Twitch directory or a collection.
sourceUrl	String	Twitch URL used for the run.
collectionSlug	String	Collection identifier when a collection URL was used.
scrapedAt	String	UTC timestamp showing when the record was saved.

How to scrape Twitch category data

1. Open Twitch Categories Scraper on Apify.
2. Enter https://www.twitch.tv/directory, or paste a public URL such as https://www.twitch.tv/directory/collection/gaming-streams.
3. Set results_wanted to the maximum number of unique category records to save.
4. Add an optional Apify Proxy configuration if your workflow requires one.
5. Start the run and review the dataset preview.
6. Download the results or connect the dataset to your next workflow.

The standard directory URL is the easiest starting point. Collection URLs are useful when you want to begin with categories grouped by a Twitch collection. If a collection contains fewer unique categories than requested, the run can add directory categories to help reach the requested result count.

Input Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Default	Description
startUrl	String	No	"https://www.twitch.tv/directory"	Public Twitch Directory URL. Supports the main directory and /directory/collection/{slug} URLs.
results_wanted	Integer	No	20	Maximum number of unique category records to save.
proxyConfiguration	Object	No	Not set	Optional Apify Proxy settings, such as useApifyProxy and apifyProxyGroups.

Usage Examples

Basic Directory Extraction

Collect 20 categories from the default Twitch Directory.

{
  "startUrl": "https://www.twitch.tv/directory",
  "results_wanted": 20
}

Twitch Collection Research

Start with a public Twitch collection and request a larger category dataset.

{
  "startUrl": "https://www.twitch.tv/directory/collection/gaming-streams",
  "results_wanted": 80
}

Larger Scheduled Run with Proxy

Use an Apify residential proxy group for a recurring run that collects more records.

{
  "startUrl": "https://www.twitch.tv/directory",
  "results_wanted": 120,
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": true,
    "apifyProxyGroups": ["RESIDENTIAL"]
  }
}

Sample Output

This example shows one category record from a standard Twitch Directory run.

{
  "categoryId": "509658",
  "slug": "just-chatting",
  "name": "Just Chatting",
  "internalName": "Just Chatting",
  "url": "https://www.twitch.tv/directory/category/just-chatting",
  "avatarUrl": "https://static-cdn.jtvnw.net/ttv-boxart/509658-285x380.jpg",
  "viewersCount": 131692,
  "originalReleaseDate": "2011-09-27T00:00:00Z",
  "tags": [
    {
      "id": "2610cff9-10ae-4cb3-8500-778e6722fbb5",
      "localizedName": "IRL"
    }
  ],
  "trackingId": "a2c4fb59-fa29-4a00-b6de-954b6ae4756c",
  "cursor": "eyJzIjoxLCJkIjpmYWxzZSwidCI6dHJ1ZX0=",
  "source": "twitch_directory",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.twitch.tv/directory",
  "scrapedAt": "2026-08-13T10:00:00.000Z"
}

Collection runs can also include collectionSlug, while source identifies the source type for each record.

Tips for Best Results

• Test with 20 records first - Confirm the fields and workflow before increasing the requested volume.
• Use a complete public URL - Keep the Twitch hostname and directory path in the value of startUrl.
• Use collection URLs for focused research - A collection can give your run a more specific starting point than the general directory.
• Schedule snapshots for trend analysis - Viewer counts change, so recurring runs are better than a single snapshot for measuring movement.
• Expect optional fields to vary - Artwork, release dates, tags, tracking values, and collection values may be absent for some records.
• Review the dataset before automation - Check a small run before sending data to a dashboard, spreadsheet, or downstream service.

Integrations and Export Formats

• Google Sheets - Maintain a category tracker and compare scheduled snapshots.
• Airtable - Store searchable category records with viewer and tag fields.
• Webhooks - Notify another service when a run completes.
• Make or Zapier - Trigger alerts, reports, or follow-up tasks from new datasets.
• Apify API - Start runs and retrieve dataset items from your own application.
• JSON, CSV, Excel, and XML - Export the data for code, spreadsheet, reporting, and integration workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Twitch URLs can I use?

You can use the main Twitch Directory URL or a public directory collection URL such as https://www.twitch.tv/directory/collection/gaming-streams. The default input is the main directory.

How many categories can I collect?

You can set results_wanted to the maximum number of unique category records you want saved. Start with a smaller value for testing, then increase it for research or scheduled collection.

Does the Actor include viewer counts?

Yes. Each category normally includes viewersCount, which represents the viewer count available when that record is collected. Viewer numbers can change between runs.

Does a collection URL limit the output to that collection?

No. The run starts with the collection when possible, then can add directory categories if the collection does not provide enough unique records for the requested amount.

Why is a field missing from a record?

A field can be missing when Twitch does not publish that value for the category or source. Empty values are removed from the dataset to keep records clean.

Can I schedule Twitch category monitoring?

Yes. Create an Apify schedule to run the Actor hourly, daily, weekly, or at another interval, then compare the resulting datasets over time.

Can I export the results to CSV or Excel?

Yes. Apify datasets can be downloaded as CSV, Excel, JSON, XML, and other supported formats.

Is collecting Twitch category data legal?

You are responsible for complying with Twitch terms, applicable laws, privacy requirements, and any restrictions that apply to your intended use. Collect and use public data responsibly.

Related Actors

For broader audience and gaming research around Twitch categories, these Shahid Irfan Actors may also be useful:

• YouTube Comments Scraper - Collect comments and engagement signals from gaming or creator videos.
• Reddit Community Scraper - Research communities and discussions related to games, creators, and streaming topics.
• Instagram Post Comments Scraper - Analyze audience discussion and engagement around creator or gaming content.

Support

For issues, feature requests, or custom data requirements, use the Issues tab on the Actor page or contact the developer through Apify.

Legal Notice

This Actor is intended for legitimate collection of publicly available Twitch category data. Users are responsible for complying with Twitch terms of service, applicable laws, privacy rules, and third-party intellectual property rights.