Despite the many streaming applications available, YouTube still stands tall as one of the best. It’s profitable, letting you keep up to 70% of the ad revenue. It also gives you many more ways to monetize your channels, such as getting super chats, brand endorsements, and even donations.
The best part? It has billions of users that your stream can get watched by if you do live streaming on it correctly. How to go Live On YouTube whether you are arranging a charity, promoting your brand, playing a game, or simply making a tutorial? We’ll guide you through the steps to go live on YouTube using different software, covering everything from meeting the requirements to choosing the right
What is YouTube Live
When the craze of live streaming increased and platforms like Twitch, Kick, and Trovo came in, YouTube also considered launching its own live streaming feature. Finally, in 2011, YouTube Live was launched, and it didn’t take long to win people’s hearts. What made it stand out is that it didn’t focus on any specific category and limit your audience like Twitch or Kick.
It lets you broadcast any type of content, whether playing a game, creating a tutorial, lifestyle vlog, a live concert, conducting interviews, or anything else that you’re interested in. YouTube Live isn’t available to all YouTube channels; it’s only available to the Verified ones.
Benefits of Going Live on YouTube
Many benefits of streaming on YouTube make it the best streaming platform in 2025:
1. Connect With Your Audience Instantly
Live streaming on YouTube helps you connect with your audience in no time. You can answer their questions, reply to their comments in real-time, and build a strong relationship. This also makes your viewers feel involved in your content and keeps them returning to your YouTube videos.
2. Boost Your YouTube Rankings
Live streaming on YouTube lets you complete your 4,000 watch hours on your channel to meet the eligibility criteria of the YouTube Partner Program. Since the live streams are long and keep the users engaged longer, your watch hours increase quickly.
3. Strengthen Your Community
By streaming consistently, you help your viewers engage with one another and with you, which will keep them returning to your stream. They’ll interact with your content, share your channel, and become your loyal fans.
4. Make Money While Streaming
Unlike other streaming platforms, which keep huge chunks of the profits, YouTube lets you keep 70% of the ad revenue and keeps only 30%. There are lots of other ways, like brand endorsements, super chats, or donations, to earn money as a live streamer on YouTube.
5. Promote Your Brand or Business
Since YouTube has such a huge audience and also its algorithms push the streams with good engagement ahead, you get to promote your brand or business to a wide audience. Whether you’re promoting somebody else’s brand or yours, you’ll get recognised by many people.
6. Reuse Content for More Reach
Whatever livestream you do gets converted into a video that keeps generating views for you and growing your channel even when you’re not around. You can also pick out the highlights of the videos into small clips and then post them on other social media to enhance your channels’ awareness even more.
Requirements to Go Live on YouTube
There are many ways to go live on YouTube easily, but first, make sure that you meet the requirements for YouTube live streaming.
- Verified Account – Your YouTube account must be verified via text or voice call.
- No Restrictions – Your account must be free of live streaming bans in the past 90 days.
- Subscriber Count – If you’re streaming from a desktop or laptop, there are no subscriber requirements, but for mobile streaming, at least 50 subscribers are required.
- Wait Time – Usually, the time needed to activate live streaming for the first time is 24 hours on YouTube.
Gear Needed For Live Streaming On YouTube!
These are the gear needed for Live Streaming On YouTube to engage your audience and keep them hooked to your content.
- Reliable Internet Connection – A stable upload speed (at least 3 Mbps for 1080p) prevents lag and stream interruptions.
- Streaming Software – OBS Studio and other tools let you add overlays, effects, and transitions for a polished look.
- Camera Options – A webcam is an easy plug-and-play choice, but a DSLR can take your stream’s quality to the next level.
- Microphones Matter – External mics provide clear audio, making your voice professional and clear.
- Your Streaming Setup – You can go live from a PC, gaming console, or phone, depending on what type of stream you’re planning.
How to Go Live on YouTube – Simple Steps
Let’s now learn how to go Live on YouTube step by step.
Step 1: Create a YouTube Channel
The first step is to create a YouTube channel you’ll be live streaming on if you don’t already have one. Follow these steps to do that.
- Log in to YouTube with your Google account.
- After signing into YouTube with your Google account, tap on your profile picture and select “My Channel.”
- Click Create a channel > Choose “Use a custom name” for a Brand Account > Follow the prompts to set up.
Step 2: Enable Live Streaming on Your Channel
Live streaming isn’t available by default on your YouTube channel. You need to enable it, and then after 24 hours, it will be enabled. This is how to enable live streaming on YouTube:
- Log in to our YouTube account first, and then click on the “Create” camera icon at the top of the page.
- Then, hit “Go Live”.
- You’ll now see on-screen instructions to verify your number. So, just follow them.
- When you’re verified, YouTube will now process your request and enable the live streaming feature on your channel within a business day.
Step 3: Choose a Live Streaming Method
You can choose from different types of live streaming methods on YouTube in which you’re comfortable with.
- Mobile Streaming: You can also live stream on YouTube with a mobile phone. It’s the best live-streaming method for people who want to create vlogs, give updates, or just do quick tutorials. But to stream with your mobile phone, you require 50 subscribers.
- Encoder Streaming (Streaming Software): You can also go live with any of your favorite encoder software, such as OBS Studio, Restream, Streamlabs, etc. If you’re a professional streamer with multiple cameras, overlays, or screen sharing, then this method is your way to go.
- Webcam Streaming: Streaming with a webcam on YouTube is the quickest and easiest way to go live.
Step 4: Going Live On YouTube On a Mobile Phone
If you don’t have a hefty streaming setup, it’s okay. Take these steps to go live on YouTube with a smartphone.
- Open YouTube and click the “Create” button, which will be the camera icon.
- Select “Go Live.”
- Next, enter a title and choose your stream’s privacy setting: Public, Unlisted, or Private.
- Click “More Options” to add a description. Try to make it relevant to your stream and use appropriate keywords to improve its visibility.
- You can click the “Show More” button to adjust the settings, such as the live chat, monetization, or audience restrictions.
- Then, click “Next” to upload your thumbnail.
- To share your stream on social media, hit “Share” and copy the link.
- Finally, hit “Go Live” to start streaming on YouTube with your mobile.
Step 5: Going Live On YouTube With Encoder Software
Follow these steps if you want to go live on YouTube with OBS Studio or any other encoder software, such as Restream, StreamLabs, etc.
- Open up your YouTube and then hit the “Create” button> “Go Live” as you did above.
- Then, you’ll get access to Live Control Room. If you want to start streaming immediately, click on the “Stream” tab.
- You can also schedule your YouTube stream if you want it. In settings, choose the “Manage” tab and then click “Schedule time.” You can reuse the previous stream settings or create the ones.
- If this is your first stream, configure your settings and click “Create Stream.”
- Open your streaming software (OBS Studio, Streamlabs, or XSplit) and go to the settings.
- If your software has a YouTube option, select it. Otherwise, return to YouTube, copy your stream key, and paste it into your encoder.
- Set up your audio, video, and any additional elements in your encoder.
- Click “Start Streaming” in your encoder, and you will be live on YouTube.
Step 6: Going Live On YouTube With a Webcam
You can also go live with your Webcam on YouTube from your desktop. But remember that this isn’t the most advanced way of streaming, and it doesn’t give you any advanced customizations. This is the best way to go live on YouTube with a Webcam.
- Sign in to YouTube and click the “Create” button.
- Select “Go Live.”
- Click on the “Webcam” tab.
- Enter a title, description, and privacy settings for your stream.
- Choose whether the video is made for kids or not.
- Your webcam will take a snapshot of the thumbnail.
- Click “Go Live,” and you’ll be live streaming on YouTube with your Webcam.
Step 7: Test Everything Before You Go Live
A lot of novice YouTube streamers make the mistake of going live without testing their stream. This way, they end up going live with bad or destroyed audio and bad video quality without even knowing that they are leaving a wrong impression on their audience. Therefore, test the following things before you hit “Go Live” on YouTube.
- Internet Speed: Check if you have a stable internet connection with a good upload speed for streaming. Close any unnecessary applications on the device to keep the internet connection stable.
- Equipment Check: Test your microphone, camera, and any other hardware that you’re using to ensure that they’re working fine before you go live. You can test these by setting your stream to Private.
- Content Preparation: If you have a script to follow or you’re collaborating with any other YouTubers, make sure that they’re on the same page. Also, keep your script in front of you so that you don’t forget it. You can also create an outline of the whole stream so that you can refer to it quickly.
Best Tips For Live Streaming On YouTube!
If you want to get the most out of your live streaming on YouTube, then follow these tips:
- Engage with Viewers – Use live chat, call out names, answer questions, and keep them involved.
- Promote Beforehand – Share your stream on social media and use YouTube’s community tab.
- Use Quality Gear – A good mic, camera, and lighting keep viewers from clicking away.
- Have a Loose Plan – Outline key points but stay flexible for spontaneous moments.
- Check Analytics – See what worked when viewers dropped off, and improve next time.
- Make It Worth Watching – Ensure your stream is fun, useful, or engaging to keep people coming back.
FAQS
How to do a live on YouTube?
To go live on YouTube, open YouTube on your desktop or mobile, click “Create” > “Go Live,” set up details, and stream.
Do you need 1,000 subscribers on YouTube to livestream?
No, as YouTube no longer requires you to have 1,000 subscribers to do live streaming. Just verify your account to live stream from any device.
How do we live on YouTube?
Go live by verifying your account, accessing YouTube Studio’s Live Dashboard, configuring settings, and starting the stream.
How many subscribers do I need to go live on YouTube?
You need 0 subscribers to live stream on YouTube after account verification. Get verified and start streaming.
Final Words
How to go live on YouTube? Go to YouTube Studio (or open the YouTube app on mobile, streaming software, or a gaming console) > Click “Create” (or tap “+” on mobile, enter the stream key in software, or link your account on a console) > Select “Go Live” > Adjust your stream settings > Start streaming.
If you’re using OBS Studio, Restream, or Streamlabs, ensure you have a quality mic, webcam, and stable internet. Before you go live, test all the devices, streaming quality, audio, and internet connection. This will help you be fully prepared for Live streaming and nail it.