VirtualHug is a Twitch emote used to express comfort, support, or affection towards someone in chat. It symbolizes sending a virtual hug to another user, often as a gesture of kindness or empathy.
The VirtualHug emote is a global Twitch emote, meaning it is available to all users on the platform. It was introduced by Twitch in 2020 as part of an initiative to promote positivity and support within the community, especially during challenging times such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The emote itself is a stylized heart with a gradient color scheme, representing warmth and inclusivity. It does not originate from a specific streamer but was created by Twitch staff.