YouTube is rolling out live cross-channel redirects, a new feature that allows streamers to send live viewers to other channels.
Cross-channel live redirects are functionally similar to Twitch raids, which allow a creator to send their audience to another stream when their stream ends.
YouTube live redirects have one important advantage in that they provide additional protection for live streamers.
On Twitch, creators can “hack” another stream with almost no restrictions. This has led to people using the raid feature for malicious purposes, such as sending audiences to other streams to hurl abuse at the creator.
YouTube has safeguards in place to prevent this from happening with direct cross-channel redirects, which makes the feature a welcome addition to the platform.
Here’s more about direct cross-channel redirects and how to use them.
What is Direct Cross-Channel Redirect on YouTube?
Live redirects allow you to send viewers to a live broadcast of your choice once your broadcast has ended.
Let’s say your friend or colleague is broadcasting and you want to send viewers to their channel to help them grow. With YouTube direct redirects, you can do just that.
Once the live broadcast ends, YouTube’s autoplay will take viewers to the steam of your choice.
In addition to helping the other broadcaster, direct redirects can help your audience discover new channels and get them to watch more live content on YouTube.
Direct redirects, which are available for channels with over 1,000 subscribers, require approval from other content creators before you can send your audience to their stream.
Likewise, you will have to give consent before other channels can send their audience to your broadcast.
You can set up live redirects in YouTube Studio for scheduled live broadcasts, or at the end of a broadcast in the live control room.
How to set enable direct redirects on youtube
Enable direct redirects on YouTube by following the steps below:
- sign in to Youtube studio
- go to the settings
- Click social communication
- under Direct redirectsenter specific channels that you want to allow forwarding to your channel
- Once done, click Memorizes
During the setup process, you can also choose to allow direct redirects from everyone Channels you subscribe to.
When you update your settings, it will allow these content creators to redirect their viewers to any upcoming or in-progress live broadcasts.
How to retarget live youtube viewers
When you are about to finish broadcasting, choose the channel you want to send your viewers to.
This can be configured from the YouTube Live Control Room on your desktop.
Once you are in the live control room, follow the steps below:
- click amendment
- Choose personalization
- under redirectionclick Add.
- Find and select the stream your viewers will be sent to
When your live stream ends, you’ll see a confirmation showing where your viewers will be redirected.
Note that if autoplay is turned off for viewers, they will not be redirected automatically.
However, a prompt will appear on screen asking viewers if they want to be forwarded, and they can choose to answer yes.
Live redirects will be available to all eligible creators by the end of this week.
Source: Youtube
Featured image: aslysun/Shutterstock
