If you're looking to grow your audience, especially through live streaming, YouTube Vertical Live Streams could be the answer. While these streams aren't entirely new, YouTube is doubling down on features that enhance them, offering additional benefits for creators who take advantage of this format.
What is a Vertical Live Stream?
Vertical live streams are YouTube's response to the growing trend of 'vertical' live videos, similar to those you may have seen on TikTok. These live streams not only reach your subscribers but also get featured directly in the YouTube Shorts feed. This means that any user scrolling through Shorts could come across your stream. It's a fantastic opportunity to gain extra visibility that typical 'horizontal' streams do not provide.
YouTube has also introduced 'Gifts, Powered by Jewels' – a new way for viewers to support vertical streams through donations. Similar to TikTok's live donation system, viewers can react, express excitement, and participate in real time by sending virtual gifts called "Jewels." We've covered everything you need to know about this feature here.
YouTube's content landscape is always evolving, and getting ahead of emerging trends can be a huge advantage. If you're considering live streaming, trying it in a vertical format might be worth exploring. Test it out, review your metrics, and see if it aligns with your goals.
How to Go Live Vertically on Mobile:
- Tap Create and then Live.
- Tap Edit to enter your live stream details.
- When ready, tap Go Live.
If you want to stream vertically directly from your desktop, you can easily do so using streaming software like OBS, StreamYard, and others. Just switch to a vertical aspect ratio, such as 1080x1920, or select 'Portrait' mode in software like StreamYard. This setup offers a simple alternative to streaming from a mobile device, also allowing more flexibility to add guests, share your screen, and more.
Short-form content continues to seem like it's here to stay. Even if you're not ready to dive into live streaming, staying current with YouTube Shorts and posting regularly can significantly enhance your content strategy. To help you get started, we've created this guide on YouTube Shorts, detailing everything you need to know to maximize your reach and turn casual scrollers into long-term fans.
