Creating a Highlight from a Live Stream
YouTube allows you to turn parts of a live stream into a shorter video called a highlight. This lets you quickly share the most interesting moments while streaming or after it ends.
Using Stream Markers
Stream markers help you track important moments during a live stream so you can easily find them later in YouTube Editor.
How to add a stream marker:
- While live streaming, click Insert Stream Marker when something important happens.
These markers will later appear on your editing timeline to help you create highlights faster.
How to Create a Highlight
You can create a highlight either during the live stream or after it ends.
Option 1: During the live stream
- Useful for teams or creators working with editors in real time.
Option 2: After the live stream (most common)
Steps:
- Open YouTube Studio.
- Click Create → Go Live.
- Start or manage your live stream.
- Add stream markers during the stream when needed.
- After the stream, click Create Highlight.
Editing Your Highlight
Once you start creating a highlight:
- Trim the video: Drag the timeline handles or set exact timestamps.
- Mute/unmute audio if needed.
- Add a title, description, and choose privacy settings (public, unlisted, or private).
- Click Create to publish.
Your highlight will be saved and published automatically.
Viewing Stream Performance (Analytics)
YouTube gives you analytics before, during, and after your stream.
During the stream (Live Control Room):
- Live viewer count (concurrent viewers)
- Chat activity rate
- Stream health
- Likes and watch time
- Duration and peak viewers
After the stream:
- Total views
- Watch time
- New subscribers
- Peak concurrent viewers
- Average view duration
- Engagement (likes and reactions)
Mobile Analytics
Android / iPhone:
You can see:
- Real-time viewers
- Chat messages
- Likes
- Stream health
- Post-stream stats like watch time and subscribers
YouTube Studio App Analytics
Shows:
- Average concurrent viewers
- Peak viewers
- Reactions
- Viewer reminders set
Dual Stream Analytics (Vertical + Horizontal)
If you stream in both formats:
- Metrics are combined in Live Control Room
- Vertical-only stats appear 24 hours after stream ends in Advanced Analytics
YouTube Analytics Reports
You can analyze:
- Watch time
- Audience retention
- Demographics
- Traffic sources
- Playback locations
Live streams also include:
- Peak concurrent viewers
- Chat activity
Data is available shortly after the stream ends and can be exported.
Tagging Location on Streams
You can add a location to help viewers discover your content.
How to add location:
- In YouTube Studio or mobile upload flow
- Select or search a location under “Video Location”
This helps your stream appear in location-based searches.
Premieres
YouTube Premieres let you schedule a video so viewers can watch it together live.
During a Premiere:
- There is a countdown
- Live chat is active
- Viewers can set reminders
Afterwards:
- The video becomes a normal upload
- Chat replay is available
- Analytics are added to YouTube Studio
DVR Feature
DVR lets viewers:
- Pause live streams
- Rewind
- Resume from where they left off
You can turn DVR on or off in stream settings.
Live Redirect
You can send viewers:
- From a live stream → to a Premiere
- Or from one live stream → to another creator’s stream
This helps boost engagement across channels.
- Stream markers = bookmarks during live streams
- Highlights = edited clips made from streams
- Analytics = performance tracking
- Premieres = scheduled “live-like” video launches
- DVR + redirects = control viewer experience
