Live streams let you watch and interact with creators in real time. You can join from a video watch page and take part in the experience as it happens.
What You Can Do During a Live Stream
While watching a live stream, you can:
- Send messages in Live Chat
- React to what’s happening in real time
- Purchase Super Chats or Super Stickers to highlight your message
- Become a channel member (if memberships are enabled)
- Discover other live streams by swiping or browsing recommendations
Note: Scheduled streams, Premieres, and horizontal live streams may not appear in Shorts feeds.
Watching Live Stream Replays
When a live stream ends, creators may:
- Upload the full replay to their channel
- Post highlights or clipped versions
These replays appear like regular videos on the channel.
Live Chat Overview
Live Chat is where viewers can interact during a stream or Premiere.
Key points:
- Available only on YouTube watch pages (not embedded videos on other websites)
- Lets viewers send messages in real time
- Must follow YouTube’s Community Guidelines
Live Chat Rules
To keep chat safe and usable:
- You can send up to 11 messages every 30 seconds
- Each message has a 200-character limit
- URLs, HTML, and special formatting are not allowed in messages
Some chats may also have restrictions like:
- Subscriber-only chat
- Slow mode or limited messaging
Super Chats & Super Stickers
Some live streams allow viewers to support creators financially through chat:
- Super Chat: Highlighted, pinned messages with colour emphasis
- Super Stickers: Paid animated stickers in chat
These help your message stand out during a live stream or Premiere.
In some live streams, new viewers may see an AI-generated summary of the chat to quickly understand ongoing conversations.
Important notes:
- Based only on public chat messages
- Does not summarize the livestream video itself
- Not available on all streams
- Can be turned off by creators in settings
- May contain inaccuracies since it is experimental
Important Chat Limitations
Depending on the stream settings:
- Some features may be disabled in subscriber-only or restricted chats
- Chat access may vary based on channel settings or moderation level
