How to Go Live on TikTok on PC
You can use TikTok Live on your PC to stream gaming and other content.
- TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms and is well known for its short-form video content.
- The TikTok Live feature allows its community members to stream to their audiences live through their phones.
- This guide will show you how to go live on TikTok from a Windows computer.
TIkTok has gained an immense amount of popularity over the years and has evolved to become an entire social media platform. One of TikTok’s most popular features is its TikTok Live Studio, allowing creators to go live and directly stream from their app. Although most of them will stream through their phone, it’s also possible to stream on their platform through your PC, opening up tons of content opportunities. If you’re interested in livestreaming PC games and other content beyond what your smartphone can handle, then read on for our complete guide to TikTok Live on PC and take your TikTok streams to the next level.
All About TikTok and TikTok Live
Tiktok is a social media platform that allows users to submit short-form (vertical video) content. Similar to platforms like Instagram and YouTube, TikTok uses a recommendation algorithm to present content to their users’ homepages, also known as a “For You Page.” Before it was TikTok, the app was known as “Musical.ly” and was operating as its own social media service. It was then acquired by ByteDance and changed its name to TikTok. It has since grown to become one of the most popular platforms and apps in the world.
Although TikTok is mostly known for its pre-recorded short-form video content, one of its features, TIkTok Love, adds an extra layer of interactivity and engagement to its users. With TikTok Live, users can interact directly with their audience, receive donations and gifts, and promote their own products and services. Users can access live streams in a separate feed on the app, so they can receive recommendations on what live streams they may like, similar to their For You page.
Setting Up TikTok Live On Your PC
If you’ve ever streamed from your PC before, you might be familiar with the streaming software and equipment necessary for regular, long-form streaming. In the case of TikTok, however, there are a few things specific to its application that you’ll need to be mindful of. We’ve covered the basic setup steps below.
Download And Install TikTok On Your Mobile Device
In order for you to go live on TikTok, you’ll need to make sure that you have TikTok installed on your mobile device or PC. The nice thing about TikTok is that it’s accessible through an app or through your web browser. TikTok is available through the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Review Community Guidelines
As with every social media platform, you’ll want to read the community guidelines to see what is and is not allowed on TikTok. These rules apply regardless if you use the live feature or not. Before going live, be sure to read the community guides thoroughly and check that any content you have planned doesn’t go against any of their policies.
Verify That You’re Eligible For TikTok Live
Users who want to use TIkTok Live must meet the minimum eligibility requirements. The requirements are:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- You must have 1000 followers
- Your account must not have been suspended within the last 30 days
- You must not have suspended or revoked access to LIVE
- To receive gifts, you must be at least 18 years old (19 in South Korea)
Meeting these eligibility requirements will give creators access to features like multi-guest hosting, moderation, gifts, and more.
Choose Your Preferred Method For PC Streaming
Streaming on PC has some benefits, one of them being that you can likely use the same streaming software used for long-form content. TikTok also allows you to stream directly from your web browser, where you will be presented with their live center and a producer dashboard (Similar to the interface you’ll find in OBS or Streamlabs.)
If you’d like to use an external application, TikTok also offers its LIVE studio that you can use to fully customize your stream experience.
Best Practices Before Going Live on TikTok
Test Your Equipment
Similar to PC streaming, you’ll want to test out your equipment before going on TikTok LIVE. In addition to your streaming software of choice and your PC, you’ll want to check your phone or other devices you plan on using. Some streamers use additional phones or tablets in case they’d like to see the stream from a user perspective, so make sure those are updated and ready to go. You’ll also want to check your microphone and sound output.
In addition to equipment, you’ll want to test your internet connection. If you’re going to use multiple devices along with your PC, you may want to consider using an ethernet connection to ensure you stay online.
Plan Your Content
Creating a content plan before you start streaming can help you decide how to set up your stream, but it will also let your future audience know what to expect when they go to your page. It’ll also help you build out a consistent stream schedule so people will know when to tune in. While you write out your content plan, it’s also good practice to plan out social media posts so you can share when you’re live to your followers on other social media pages.
Set Up Your Background
Since you’ll likely be using your own webcam or external camera, you’ll want to set up your stream location using whatever you’ll need to make your stream unique to you. Do you plan on decorating it with lights and trinkets? Do you need chairs and tables to display or present items to your audience? This is also the opportunity to set up your equipment, which may include your home Wi-Fi network, stream deck, and more. Have everything that you need all set up and ready to go before you hit that “Go LIVE” button.
Best Practices During Your TikTok Live Stream
Read The Comments
The most direct way to interact with your audience on TikTok LIVE is to read the comments, especially if you are the focal point of your stream. They may ask you questions, request that you do something, or even comment on your stream. Additionally, they could let you know if there were any technical flaws on their end, such as a period of lag during a gaming session or a frozen webcam. However they decide to converse with you, make sure you respond as quickly as you can and continue engaging with them so that they’ll be likely to stay (and follow your account after!).
Keep Track Of Your Alerts
TikTok Live offers the option for viewers to send gifts to the creator, but they also display alerts for new followers, subscriptions, and even custom actions (similar to Twitch alerts). As you continue interacting with your audience and streaming your content, you’ll want to keep up with the alerts that display on your stream. Chat messages can go by really fast and alerts don’t stay on for long, so you’ll need to stay on top of it if you want to retain your audience!
Focus on Your Content, Not The Numbers
Your content is what will ultimately attract new and returning users to your stream. As they do so, the viewer count will go up and down depending on who’s currently viewing your broadcast. Remember that the view count can change for a number of reasons — some people are busy during your stream time, or maybe other people may be leaving briefly and will come back. Whatever the case, it’s important to focus on the content you’re streaming rather than just looking at the numbers. As you figure out what you enjoy streaming, you’ll be more consistent and your numbers may reflect that.
Best Practices After Streaming on TikTok Live
Check Your Stream Stats
After your stream, you’ll be able to access your stream stats via the LIVE center. These stats include, but are not limited to, total views, number of gifts, and new followers. You’ll want to look at these numbers and keep track of them over time as you continue to stream. It can serve as invaluable information that you can use to help improve your streaming experience.
Ask For Feedback
Surveys, stories, and even newsletters are just a few ways that you can ask your audience about how to improve your live streams. Stream stats can help you by giving you the numbers, but the best type of feedback is from the people who view your streams in the first place. For more consistent feedback, it might be good to ask your viewers before, throughout, and after your stream so that you can get their input immediately.
Plan Your Future Content
Based on the input you’ve received from your stream stats and your audience feedback, you’ll want to implement that into your content plan well before your next streams. Adjusting your stream schedule, assigning different content to different days, and even planning little events are things that you can do to keep your streams fun and fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions About Going Live On TikTok On PC
What can I stream on TikTok Live?
The possibilities for what you want to stream on TikTok are endless. Most creators use it for livestreaming themselves on their phones to talk to their audience, but you could also stream content alongside yourself. From video games to art to even your small business storefront, you’re able to stream whatever you can capture on your camera. Just be sure it aligns with TikTok’s community guidelines.
Can I make money on TikTok Live?
Yes, you can receive gifts (donations) from your audience and make money from them directly. You can also participate in the Creator Rewards Program and get paid through your short-form content. Keep in mind that monetized videos must be high-quality original content and must be at least one minute long.
What happens if I break TikTok’s community guidelines?
Content that is in violation of TikTok’s community guidelines will be reviewed by its Trust and Safety team to determine the best possible course of action. Consequences include, but are not limited to, demonetizing the video, taking down the video, or suspending/banning accounts. Creators have the opportunity to send an appeal if they believe their content was wrongfully demonetized or taken down.