I'm Only Sleeping Category on Twitch Grows to 62M in 2022

The Twitch category originally titled I’m Only Sleeping, a 2005 point-and-click adventure game, has evolved into a prominent hub for streamers broadcasting themselves while they sleep. This shift in usage has driven massive viewership growth, with the category expanding from 123,000 hours watched in 2020 to 62 million hours by the end of 2022. This represents a 189% increase from the 22 million hours recorded in 2021 alone.

The surge in popularity is largely attributed to the rise of "subathons," a trend popularized by high-profile streamers like Ludwig Ahgren. These marathon-style events, which can last for days or weeks, involve continuous 24-hour broadcasting to maximize subscriber and follower growth. As these creators maintain constant camera coverage, the I’m Only Sleeping category emerged as the de facto label for periods when the streamer is inactive or asleep.

Despite the unconventional nature of the content, the practice remains a viable engagement strategy. Streamers often integrate interactive elements, such as donation-triggered alerts that produce loud noises or videos to disrupt their sleep, which incentivizes viewer participation and financial support. While the category was never intended for this purpose, it has become a significant niche within the platform, demonstrating how creator-led trends can fundamentally alter the usage and metrics of established streaming categories.