Insert Stings, Jingles & Ads into Your Looping Livestream Playlists

There are two ways to insert stings, jingles and ads on Upstream.so : Global and File-based Inserts.

🟣 Global Inserts

You can choose between two types of trigger rules for global inserts:

Play Every Nth File (repeats after every Nth file)

This setting triggers an insert after every Nth file in your playlist. For example, setting it to 5 will trigger an insert after every 5th file that plays in your playlist.

Play after a Time Interval (repeats at a set interval)

You can also choose to trigger your inserts whenever the set time interval has elapsed. For example, setting it to 5 minutes will trigger an insert every 5 minutes.

Setting Up Global Inserts

1. Go to your Stream Edit Page
2. Find the Inserts options in the Sidebar of your video & audio playlists
3. Choose your trigger Type (Every Nth file vs. Time Interval)
4. Configure trigger rules
5. Choose Configure Video (or Audio)

Note that you can:

• Add inserts separately to your Audio and Video Playlists.
• You can add multiple inserts
• You can Edit Insert Settings on the fly, while your playlist is running

🟣 File Based Inserts

This gives you control over the exact point when you want the file to be interrupted by a sting, jingle or an ad. These are more suitable for streamers with long video files in their playlists.

1. Hover over your files or click on the File Options button and select Add Inserts
2. In the pop-up, click on **Add Insert **
3. Select the exact timestamp where you want your insert to play (hours, minutes, seconds)
4. Click on Select File to use a file from the Media Library, or to upload a new one
5. Edit your Insert Options
6. Save

Video Sting Options

Whether you are using Global or File-based inserts, you can customise insert playback when your Insert is a Video.

Pause background video

Make your playlist pause while the insert is playing.

Pause Audio Playlist

Pause audio tracks during the sting (recommended if sting is unmuted).

Mute Sting Audio

Choose this option when your video insert has audio you don't want to play. Your stream audio will continue to play instead.

Hide Stream Overlay

You can decide to disable any overlays set up in the Stream Designer during the insert.

Trigger YouTube Ad Break

Send a YouTube API signal for an ad slot recommendation.

Audio Jingle Options

Audio Jingles have a different set of options:

Pause Audio Playlist Tracks

Pause any audio tracks playing during jingle. If unchecked, audio crossfades. Note: Jingles play over video without interrupting playback.

Trigger YouTube Ad Break

Send a signal to YouTube that this is a good place to insert an Ad.

YouTube Ad Breaks

With Upstream you can can send an API signal to YouTube - a recommendation to trigger an add.

Combining Inserts and YouTube Ad Breaks

With each insert you can also choose to trigger a YouTube Ad Break at the same time. This enables you to play a jingle or an Ad during a YouTube Ad. This way while your YouTube Audience is watching the YouTube ad, audiences on other platforms you may be streaming to will see your custom insert, staying in sync. This way you can achieve a smooth and synchronised experience across multiple platforms.

Triggering only YouTube Ad Breaks (without an insert file)

You can also choose to trigger only YouTube Ad Breaks without selecting an insert file to play at the same time.

1. Select where to add an insert
2. Select the Trigger YouTube Ad breaks option
3. Save

Tips For Better Inserts

• Keep them short (2–10 seconds works best)
• Use consistent branding, colors and motion
• Test timing on your loop to ensure smooth transitions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What's the difference between Global Inserts and File-based Inserts?

Global Inserts play automatically throughout your entire playlist based on rules you set (every X files or every X minutes). File-based Inserts play at specific timestamps within individual files, giving you precise control over when they appear.

Can I use both Global and File-based Inserts at the same time?

Yes, you can use both types simultaneously. Global Inserts will play according to your playlist-wide rules, while File-based Inserts will trigger at the specific timestamps you've set within individual files.

Can I add inserts to both video and audio playlists?

Yes, you can add inserts separately to both your video and audio playlists, and configure them independently based on your needs.

Can I edit or change inserts while my stream is running?

Yes! You can edit insert settings on the fly while your playlist is actively running, allowing you to make real-time adjustments without stopping your stream.

Should I pause the audio playlist during video inserts?

It's recommended to pause audio tracks if your video insert has unmuted audio to avoid sound overlap. However, if your insert is muted, you can leave the audio playlist running.

How do YouTube Ad Breaks work with Upstream?

Upstream sends an API signal to YouTube recommending an ad placement. However, YouTube makes the final decision on whether to accept and display the ad at that moment.

Why would I combine an insert with a YouTube Ad Break?

This helps your stream stay synchronized across multiple platforms when multistreaming. While YouTube viewers see a YouTube ad, audiences on other platforms and destinations see your custom insert, ensuring all viewers experience content during that break.

Can I trigger YouTube Ad Breaks without playing an insert file?

Yes, you can trigger YouTube Ad Breaks independently without selecting an insert file. Simply enable the "Trigger YouTube Ad Break" option without choosing a media file.

What happens if I choose "Mute Sting Audio"?

The video insert will play visually, but its audio will be muted. Your stream's regular audio playlist will continue playing instead.

Will my stream overlays display during inserts?

By default, yes. However, you can choose to hide stream overlays during inserts by enabling the "Hide Stream Overlay" option in your insert settings.

How many inserts can I add?

You can add multiple inserts to your playlists. There's no specific limit, allowing you to create varied and dynamic streaming experiences.

What does "Play Every Nth File" mean?

This means the insert will play after a specified number of files in your playlist. For example, setting it to "5" means the insert plays after every 5th file, then repeats this pattern throughout your stream.

Updated on: 30/10/2025