TikTok live streaming has exploded in popularity — and for good reason. TikTok’s algorithm gives live content extraordinary organic reach, often showing your broadcast to thousands of viewers even if you have a small following. This guide covers everything you need to know about TikTok live streaming in 2025, from eligibility requirements to going live and growing your audience.
TikTok Live Streaming Requirements
To access TikTok live streaming, your account needs to meet TikTok’s minimum requirements. You must be at least 18 years old and have a minimum of 1,000 followers. TikTok removed the previous 10,000 follower requirement in many regions, but the 1,000 follower threshold still applies in most countries. If you don’t yet meet this requirement, focus on growing your regular TikTok content first — consistent short-form video posts are the fastest path to 1,000 followers.
How to Start TikTok Live Streaming
Starting TikTok live streaming is straightforward from the mobile app:
- Open TikTok and tap the “+” button to create a new video
- Swipe to the “LIVE” option in the bottom menu
- Add a title for your TikTok live stream (be descriptive and include keywords)
- Select a cover image for your broadcast
- Tap “Go LIVE” — your TikTok live stream starts instantly
Your followers will receive a notification when your TikTok live streaming session begins, and your broadcast will also appear in the LIVE discovery tab where non-followers can find you.
TikTok Live Streaming Features
TikTok live streaming comes with several interactive features that set it apart from other platforms. LIVE Gifts allow viewers to send virtual gifts that you can convert to real money — this is TikTok’s primary monetisation mechanism for live streamers. The Q&A feature lets viewers submit questions that appear on screen, making it easy to interact with your audience. Multi-Guest allows up to two people to co-host a live stream together, which is great for interviews, debates, and collaborative content.
How to Monetise TikTok Live Streaming
TikTok live streaming offers direct monetisation through LIVE Gifts. Viewers purchase TikTok Coins and use them to send animated gifts during your broadcast. You receive Diamonds from these gifts, which can be converted to real money via PayPal. The conversion rate and minimum payout threshold vary by region. Many creators find TikTok live streaming to be one of their most lucrative platforms once they build a loyal audience that participates regularly.
TikTok Live Streaming on Desktop with RTMP
TikTok now supports desktop TikTok live streaming via RTMP for creators who meet an additional follower threshold (typically 1,000+ followers for most regions). In TikTok Studio (studio.tiktok.com), navigate to the LIVE section and select “PC Streaming” to get your RTMP URL and stream key. Use these in OBS Studio or any RTMP-compatible software — or connect through a multistreaming platform like Streemzy to broadcast to TikTok and other platforms simultaneously.
Growing Your Audience with TikTok Live Streaming
TikTok live streaming works best when combined with a consistent short-form video strategy. Use your regular TikTok videos to drive viewers to your live streams by including calls to action like “I’m going live on Friday at 7PM — follow me so you don’t miss it.” TikTok’s algorithm rewards creators who use both video and live features regularly.
The most powerful growth strategy is to combine TikTok live streaming with simultaneous broadcasts to YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. This way your content reaches audiences on every platform and funnels followers back to TikTok over time. Streemzy makes multistreaming to TikTok and all other major platforms completely free — no technical setup needed.
TikTok Live Streaming Best Practices
Keep your TikTok live streaming sessions at least 30 minutes long — TikTok’s algorithm gives more distribution to longer live streams that sustain viewer engagement. Interact constantly: greet every new viewer by name, respond to comments out loud, and ask questions to keep participation high. Use relevant hashtags in your LIVE title to help non-followers discover your broadcast in the LIVE tab.
Schedule your TikTok live streams at the same time each week to build a loyal audience that tunes in regularly. Consistency is the single biggest factor in long-term TikTok live streaming success.
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