seeders

Seeders are participants in peer-to-peer file sharing networks who have obtained a complete copy of a file and continue to upload pieces to other peers. In contrast, peers who are still downloading or only partially have data are known as leechers or downloaders. Seeders contribute to the distribution and availability of files within a swarm, making it possible for others to complete their downloads even if the original source is unavailable.

In BitTorrent-style networks, files are divided into pieces and distributed among peers. Seeders provide the missing pieces to requesting peers, helping to keep the swarm healthy and efficient. The performance of a download depends on the number of seeders and their upload bandwidth; a larger, well-seeded swarm generally yields faster and more reliable transfers. Swarm dynamics are influenced by factors such as seed uptime, network locality, and the proportion of seeders to leechers.

Metrics and practices related to seeding include the seeding ratio, which compares the amount uploaded to the amount downloaded, and the intended seeding duration or uptime. Many communities encourage or require users to seed after downloading to maintain file availability. Seedboxes or dedicated clients are sometimes used to improve seeding efficiency, while some trackers implement minimum ratio policies as a condition of continued access.

Legal and ethical considerations vary by jurisdiction and content. Seeding copyrighted material without authorization can implicate copyright laws in many regions. Community guidelines and legal norms often shape seeding practices and expectations within peer-to-peer networks.