Create a live stream via webcam

Webcam is an easy way to go live using your computer, without the need for live streaming encoding software.

How to Create a Webcam Live Stream on YouTube

Subscribe to the YouTube Creators channel for the latest news, updates and tips.

 

1. Make sure that you've enabled your channel for live streaming. Webcam streaming is compatible with Chrome 60+ and Firefox 53+.
2. Sign in to YouTube.
3. In the upper right, click Create   Go Live.
4. From the left menu, select Webcam .
5. Enter a title and description, and select a privacy setting. You can also schedule your live stream for a later date.
   • For users aged 13–17 on YouTube, your default privacy setting is private. If you're 18 or over, your default privacy setting is public. All users can change this setting to make their live stream public, private or unlisted.
6. Click More options  Advanced settings for more settings.
7. Click Next. Your camera will then take a thumbnail.
8. Make sure that you've chosen the correct webcam and microphone.
9. Click Go live.
10. To manage your stream, like add tags, change monetisation and chat settings and more, click Edit. You can change these settings at any time, whether your stream is live or not.
11. When you've finished streaming, click End stream at the bottom. All streams under 12 hours will be automatically archived. You can access previous, current and upcoming streams in the Live tab.

Note: To access or launch a scheduled live stream, go to the Live Control Room and select Manage.

Add a trailer to your live stream

Get your audience excited about your scheduled live stream by showing a trailer. Your trailer will play for viewers on the watch page before the live stream starts. 

Trailers can only be played on streams scheduled from the 'Manage' tab in the Live Control Room.

1. Upload your trailer to your YouTube channel like you would with a regular upload.
2. Go to YouTube Studio > Go live.
3. Create a scheduled live stream or choose a scheduled stream from the 'Manage' tab.
4. In the top-right corner, click Edit.
5. Click Customise.
6. Under 'Trailer', click Add.
7. Choose your trailer video.
8. Click Save.

Eligibility

This feature is available to creators that have more than 1,000 subscribers and no Community Guideline strikes. 

 

Requirements

• Video type: Use any YouTube supported video type.
• Video length: 15 seconds–3 minutes.
• Aspect ratio and resolution: We recommend using the same aspect ratio and resolution as the premiering video.
• Audio and video rights: Make sure that the trailer does not infringe on other content.

Make sure that there's no content that will violate our Community Guidelines.

Manage live streams

From the YouTube Studio dashboard, you can access current, upcoming and past live streams. Here's how:

1. Go to YouTube Studio or studio.youtube.com.
2. From the left-hand menu, select Content.
3. Click the Live tab.
   • Live now: Videos that are currently live streaming.
   • Upcoming: Videos that have yet to stream but are scheduled to be at a certain time.
   • Live replay: Videos that have already live streamed.

You can also access and launch scheduled live streams in the Live Control Room.

1. From the left-hand menu, select Manage.
2. Click on the scheduled live stream that you'd like to launch.
3. Click Go live.