Quick Start Guide | Start a 24/7 Livestream with Upstream
Welcome to Upstream! This article will help you get familiar with the interface and make some important decisions about your stream(s):
Understand the Stream setup, settings and main functions
Choose between YouTube Connect (auto) and Manual (with RTMP key)
Decide on your stream type and set up your stream (Video vs Image background)
From the main menu you can navigate to:
My Streams: The dashboard, your starting page,
Manage Subscription: Upgrade or change your subscription, download invoices, connect new payment methods,
My Account: Manage your email, password and other account settings here,
Media Library: all your uploaded videos, images and audio files will appear here.
At the bottom of the menu, you will see some some extra pages:
Release notes: List and explanation of new functions added to Upstream,
Affiliates Program: Earn by refferring us to your audience,
Help Center: The place to find this and other help articles,
Log-out
When you first open up Upstream, you should see your “My Streams” page. This is your starting page and it shows the most important things:
Your Existing streams and their streaming status (in the form of stream thumbnails),
Create new stream button,
Create new backup stream button,
Number of stream slots / number of streams indicator,
Storage indicator (each stream gets 100GB of storage)
Your streams, once you create them, will show up on the dashboard in the form of the “Stream Thumbnail”. The stream thumbnail consists of:
Thumbnail Image (The thumbnail can be set up in the Stream Settings if you use YouTube Connect)
Stream Name & date of creation
Start / Power button (Start your stream with this button)
Settings button (Access your stream’s settings page)
Edit button (This is how you get to the Edit page where you can set up all your content, videos and playlists)
Backup Stream Status Indicator
Preview button
To create a stream on YouTube, you need to choose one of two ways of creating livestreams on Upstream:
YouTube Connect (Automatic, via API - only for YouTube) or
Manual (with RTMP key - Any platform).
We highly recommend you use YouTube Connect if you want to stream to YouTube. This way, your Upstream account is connected to your YouTube account, and you can start and control your streams from the Upstream interface. You can find the instructions here.
YouTube Connect is usually a better choice because of these reasons:
Easier to set up
Enables you to start streams directly from Upstream (no need to visit YouTube Studio)
Easier to manage thumbnail, stream name and other settings
Less chance of setting up the stream incorrectly (less chance of stream stopping)
No need to copy paste RTMP keys from YouTube Studio to Upstream ever again
Experienced and advanced users might want to use the Manual / RTMP way of creating a stream - which is fine, and will also work perfectly well! However, to set up a Manual stream you will need to start a stream via YouTube Studio, and especially importantly, you will need to use the Manged Tab to schedule a Permanent Stream
Note: If you are using the Manual connection with YouTube (via RTMP key) it is possible to start your streams THE WRONG WAY on YouTube - so please follow the article in this link to start a manual stream the right way, and avoid starting the stream incorrectly. If you do not follow this guide, you run the risk of having your stream stop at the smallest connection or data problem. If you start the stream the proper way, your stream will be protected against disconnections and stopping.
Creating a stream via YouTube Connect (Recommended)
How To Start A Permanent 24/7 Youtube Live Stream using Youtube Connect
Creating a Manual Stream (Advanced users, custom RTMP)
How To Start A Permanent 24/7 Youtube Live Stream
Once you create a stream, you can choose between a few different stream types.
Video Background with Audio embedded in the video file
If you choose this option, you can simply upload one or more videos to your video playlist. Your video has to have sound in this case, so this way usually requires a little more preparation, as you have to use some kind of editing software to have the songs running along your video. Of course, if your video has native/in-built sound and you are not streaming many separate audio files, this is the best option for you.
Video background + Audio Playlist
This is really useful if you have a video background that you would like to loop, and you have a bunch of audio files / songs that you want to loop (shuffled or in order). This saves you time and helps you create a more dynamic stream, because each time your audio playlist runs, it can have a different order of songs (shuffle turned ON).
This also helps you manage your Audio files more easily, as you can simply remove the old ones, and add new ones as you are streaming. You can always change the content while your stream is streaming - simply publish your changes, and they will be reflected in the livestream.
Image background + Audio Playlist
You can also use an image background for your stream, still using the Audio Playlist to play your Audio files.
No matter which stream type you choose, you can add additional elements via the Stream Designer:
The stream designer is a place where you can enrich your stream with images, animations, messages, logos, track names, video names and even embed websites into the stream.
You can reach the Stream Designer by clicking on the Stream Designer tab, next to your Video and Audio Playlist tabs.
Draw shapes
Embed a website or StreamElements (or other) widgets
Add text
Add image
Add video
Display current Audio Track
Display current Video
Add audio visualizer
While you can easily start and stop your stream with just one click of a button, you can also schedule yours streams to start and end at specific times, or use one of our custom duration buttons to make the stream stop after a while.
On your Stream Edit Page, select the Schedule Start and Schedule End and set up the times you want your stream to start and end!
Once you schedule your stream, you will not need to start it yourself. It will simply start at the appropriate time.
Read the full guide on How To Schedule A Youtube Live Stream.
Note: if you are using YouTube Connect you can skip straight to step 5 of the guide: https://help.upstream.so/en/article/how-to-schedule-a-youtube-live-stream-579qai/
With Upstream, you can stream the same content to 10 destinations at the same time! This function is called Multistreaming and you can set up your multi-stream in the Stream Settings.
For more info on Multistreaming, please check this article:
You can find many more instructional articles in our Help Center, but you can also contact us any time in the chatbox that always appears in the bottom right of the screen! We will be happy to help you with any doubts you may be having!
Yes! You can multistream to up to 10 destinations with one Stream Slot.
Yes - You can run as many streams at the same time on your Channel as you want! Some of our users run over 60 streams (with different content and playlists) at the same time! Check out this guide on how to set up multiple live streams.
Yes! Each stream slot can be connected to a different channel, if you wish.
Yes! Even though Upstream is the perfect solution for 24/7 live streaming, you can also make shorter streams. Once you start your stream, you can choose how long it has to
Yes, you can upgrade at any point of time, your existing streams will not stop when you add more stream slots. You can do this on www.upstream.so/billing.
As many as you want, as long as they fit into the 100GB storage you get with each stream slot!
Understand the Stream setup, settings and main functions
Choose between YouTube Connect (auto) and Manual (with RTMP key)
Decide on your stream type and set up your stream (Video vs Image background)
The Main Menu
From the main menu you can navigate to:
My Streams: The dashboard, your starting page,
Manage Subscription: Upgrade or change your subscription, download invoices, connect new payment methods,
My Account: Manage your email, password and other account settings here,
Media Library: all your uploaded videos, images and audio files will appear here.
At the bottom of the menu, you will see some some extra pages:
Release notes: List and explanation of new functions added to Upstream,
Affiliates Program: Earn by refferring us to your audience,
Help Center: The place to find this and other help articles,
Log-out
Your Upstream Dashboard
When you first open up Upstream, you should see your “My Streams” page. This is your starting page and it shows the most important things:
Your Existing streams and their streaming status (in the form of stream thumbnails),
Create new stream button,
Create new backup stream button,
Number of stream slots / number of streams indicator,
Storage indicator (each stream gets 100GB of storage)
Your streams, once you create them, will show up on the dashboard in the form of the “Stream Thumbnail”. The stream thumbnail consists of:
Thumbnail Image (The thumbnail can be set up in the Stream Settings if you use YouTube Connect)
Stream Name & date of creation
Start / Power button (Start your stream with this button)
Settings button (Access your stream’s settings page)
Edit button (This is how you get to the Edit page where you can set up all your content, videos and playlists)
Backup Stream Status Indicator
Preview button
Creating a 24/7 YouTube Livestream
YouTube Connect vs Manual (RTMP key)
To create a stream on YouTube, you need to choose one of two ways of creating livestreams on Upstream:
YouTube Connect (Automatic, via API - only for YouTube) or
Manual (with RTMP key - Any platform).
We highly recommend you use YouTube Connect if you want to stream to YouTube. This way, your Upstream account is connected to your YouTube account, and you can start and control your streams from the Upstream interface. You can find the instructions here.
YouTube Connect is usually a better choice because of these reasons:
Easier to set up
Enables you to start streams directly from Upstream (no need to visit YouTube Studio)
Easier to manage thumbnail, stream name and other settings
Less chance of setting up the stream incorrectly (less chance of stream stopping)
No need to copy paste RTMP keys from YouTube Studio to Upstream ever again
Experienced and advanced users might want to use the Manual / RTMP way of creating a stream - which is fine, and will also work perfectly well! However, to set up a Manual stream you will need to start a stream via YouTube Studio, and especially importantly, you will need to use the Manged Tab to schedule a Permanent Stream
Note: If you are using the Manual connection with YouTube (via RTMP key) it is possible to start your streams THE WRONG WAY on YouTube - so please follow the article in this link to start a manual stream the right way, and avoid starting the stream incorrectly. If you do not follow this guide, you run the risk of having your stream stop at the smallest connection or data problem. If you start the stream the proper way, your stream will be protected against disconnections and stopping.
Creating a stream via YouTube Connect (Recommended)
How To Start A Permanent 24/7 Youtube Live Stream using Youtube Connect
Creating a Manual Stream (Advanced users, custom RTMP)
How To Start A Permanent 24/7 Youtube Live Stream
Types of livestreams on Upstream
Once you create a stream, you can choose between a few different stream types.
Video Background with Audio embedded in the video file
If you choose this option, you can simply upload one or more videos to your video playlist. Your video has to have sound in this case, so this way usually requires a little more preparation, as you have to use some kind of editing software to have the songs running along your video. Of course, if your video has native/in-built sound and you are not streaming many separate audio files, this is the best option for you.
Video background + Audio Playlist
This is really useful if you have a video background that you would like to loop, and you have a bunch of audio files / songs that you want to loop (shuffled or in order). This saves you time and helps you create a more dynamic stream, because each time your audio playlist runs, it can have a different order of songs (shuffle turned ON).
This also helps you manage your Audio files more easily, as you can simply remove the old ones, and add new ones as you are streaming. You can always change the content while your stream is streaming - simply publish your changes, and they will be reflected in the livestream.
Image background + Audio Playlist
You can also use an image background for your stream, still using the Audio Playlist to play your Audio files.
No matter which stream type you choose, you can add additional elements via the Stream Designer:
Stream Designer
The stream designer is a place where you can enrich your stream with images, animations, messages, logos, track names, video names and even embed websites into the stream.
You can reach the Stream Designer by clicking on the Stream Designer tab, next to your Video and Audio Playlist tabs.
What can you add to your Livestream with the stream designer
Draw shapes
Embed a website or StreamElements (or other) widgets
Add text
Add image
Add video
Display current Audio Track
Display current Video
Add audio visualizer
Scheduling your 24/7 Live Stream
While you can easily start and stop your stream with just one click of a button, you can also schedule yours streams to start and end at specific times, or use one of our custom duration buttons to make the stream stop after a while.
On your Stream Edit Page, select the Schedule Start and Schedule End and set up the times you want your stream to start and end!
Once you schedule your stream, you will not need to start it yourself. It will simply start at the appropriate time.
Read the full guide on How To Schedule A Youtube Live Stream.
Note: if you are using YouTube Connect you can skip straight to step 5 of the guide: https://help.upstream.so/en/article/how-to-schedule-a-youtube-live-stream-579qai/
Multistreaming
With Upstream, you can stream the same content to 10 destinations at the same time! This function is called Multistreaming and you can set up your multi-stream in the Stream Settings.
For more info on Multistreaming, please check this article:
Chat with us if you need help!
You can find many more instructional articles in our Help Center, but you can also contact us any time in the chatbox that always appears in the bottom right of the screen! We will be happy to help you with any doubts you may be having!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I multistream with only one stream slot?
Yes! You can multistream to up to 10 destinations with one Stream Slot.
Can I run multiple streams on the same YouTube Channel?
Yes - You can run as many streams at the same time on your Channel as you want! Some of our users run over 60 streams (with different content and playlists) at the same time! Check out this guide on how to set up multiple live streams.
Can I connect multiple channels to my Upstream account?
Yes! Each stream slot can be connected to a different channel, if you wish.
Can I stream for only a few hours?
Yes! Even though Upstream is the perfect solution for 24/7 live streaming, you can also make shorter streams. Once you start your stream, you can choose how long it has to
Can I upgrade to more streams any time, without stopping my streams?
Yes, you can upgrade at any point of time, your existing streams will not stop when you add more stream slots. You can do this on www.upstream.so/billing.
How many videos can I upload?
As many as you want, as long as they fit into the 100GB storage you get with each stream slot!
Updated on: 26/06/2025
Thank you!