In a report published by Safebettingsites, Facebook’s native game streaming platform, Facebook Gaming, has seen a significant decline in viewer numbers in Q1 2022.

These statistics might provide an indicator of wider industry trends to affiliates, gambling companies and streamers themselves.

Viewer numbers for the streaming platform had risen steadily since its inception, from 540 million for Q1 2020 to 1.14 billion for Q4 2021. 

However, recent figures from Q1 2022 showed 804 million viewers, representing a 29.6% decline quarter-on-quarter.

The number of live streams has shrunk alongside viewer numbers, with an 11% decrease from 14 million in Q4 2021. In year-on-year terms, this represents a fall of almost 36% from 19.5 million in Q1 2021. 

The platform's unique channels took a 9.2% dip from 369 million in the Q4 2021 - Q1 2022 period, a 78% fall from 1.54 billion year-on-year.

Additionally, average concurrent viewership saw a fall of 28% from 516,000 in Q1 2021.

"Facebook Gaming, as is the entire gaming sector, is grappling with falling viewership. Many nations have greatly contained the pandemic, allowing people to resume their pre-pandemic lifestyles. As such, many people are cutting down on their entertainment budgets, including gaming,” said Edith Reads, Safebettingsites analyst.

In an effort to bring viewers back to the platform, Facebook is working to clamp down on non-gaming content streamed on the platform, in an effort to ensure “quality experiences” for users.

The company has stated that live gaming remains one of its top priorities.