Twitch Moderator Roles and Permissions Explained
Lead Moderator adds management powers on top of the regular moderator role, but some actions stay with the channel owner alone.
Is this your situation?
You made someone a Lead Moderator and want to know what they can now do without you. You also want to know which decisions still require you personally.
What it is
Moderators help manage a creator's chat to keep it safe, welcoming, and fun. Lead Moderators can perform all the actions that regular moderators can. Lead Moderators can manage the mod team by adding or removing other moderators. Lead Moderators can add or remove the VIP role for other users. Only the channel owner can add or remove the Lead Moderator, Editor, and Artist roles.
How Twitch handles this
- Lead Moderators can access all channel moderation settings, while regular moderators do not have access to certain settings.
- Private blocked terms remain visible only to the channel owner, even for Lead Moderators.
- Lead Moderators can delete mod comments, including comments made by other lead mods or the channel owner.
- The default badge for lead moderators is the lead mod badge.
- Lead moderators can choose to use the regular mod badge instead of the lead mod badge.
Side by side
| Role | Can do | Cannot do |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Moderator | Moderators help manage a creator's chat to keep it safe, welcoming, and fun. | Does not have access to certain moderation settings. |
| Lead Moderator | Can manage the mod team by adding or removing other moderators. | Private blocked terms remain visible only to the channel owner, even for Lead Moderators. |
| Lead Moderator | Can add or remove the VIP role for other users. | Not stated by Twitch |
| Channel Owner | Only the owner can add or remove the Lead Moderator, Editor, and Artist roles. | Not stated by Twitch |
Common mistakes
- Assuming Lead Moderator can appoint other Lead Moderators Only the channel owner can add or remove the Lead Moderator role.Why it happens: Lead Moderators can manage the mod team by adding or removing other moderators.Already happened: If access may already be lost — Secure a Twitch Account While You Still Have Access
- Expecting Lead Moderators to see private blocked terms Private blocked terms remain visible only to the channel owner, even for Lead Moderators.Why it happens: Lead Moderators can access all channel moderation settings, while regular moderators do not.
- Not noticing a Lead Moderator deleted a comment Lead Moderators can delete mod comments, including comments from other lead mods or the owner.Why it happens: This includes comments made by other lead mods or the channel owner.
If this changes who is in control
If a Lead Moderator's powers feel too broad or too unclear for your channel, review how moderator access is structured. See structuring moderator access for accountability to set clearer boundaries.
Quick reference
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who can be a Moderator | Moderators help manage a creator's chat to keep it safe, welcoming, and fun. |
| Lead Moderator extra power | Can manage the mod team by adding or removing other moderators. |
| VIP role control | Lead Moderators can add or remove the VIP role for other users. |
| Settings access | Lead Moderators access all moderation settings; regular moderators do not. |
| Private blocked terms | Visible only to the channel owner, even for Lead Moderators. |
| Comment deletion | Lead Moderators can delete mod comments, including other lead mods' or the owner's. |
| Role assignment limit | Only the channel owner can add or remove Lead Moderator, Editor, and Artist roles. |
Frequently asked questions
Can my Lead Moderator add another Lead Moderator?
No; only the channel owner can add or remove the Lead Moderator, Editor, and Artist roles.
Can a Lead Moderator remove a regular moderator?
Yes, Lead Moderators can manage the mod team by adding or removing other moderators.
Can a Lead Moderator see my private blocked terms?
No, private blocked terms remain visible only to the channel owner, even for Lead Moderators.
Can a Lead Moderator delete my mod comments?
Yes, Lead Moderators can delete mod comments, including comments made by other lead mods or the channel owner.
Keeping track of who has access
Confusion about who can add, remove, or override a role builds as a channel adds more Lead Moderators and Moderators over time. Delvia gives you one place to see who holds which role on your Twitch channel.
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