Live Redirect
Live Redirect is a YouTube feature that automatically moves viewers from an ending live stream or Premiere to another selected live stream or Premiere. It is designed to keep an audience watching after one event finishes and can also be used to introduce viewers to another creator.
The handoff happens after the source event ends. Viewers briefly see the page reload and are then taken to the destination selected by the creator.
How YouTube Live Redirect works
- The creator schedules or selects the live stream or Premiere that will send the audience.
- In YouTube Studio, the creator opens the video's customization settings and adds a redirect destination.
- The source live stream or Premiere runs normally.
- When it ends, YouTube automatically sends eligible viewers to the chosen destination.
Live Redirect is an audience handoff, not a shared broadcast. The original event and destination remain separate videos with their own watch pages, chats, settings, and performance data.
Who can use Live Redirect?
YouTube currently says a channel sending a Live Redirect must have more than 1,000 subscribers and no Community Guidelines strikes. The destination must also be available and eligible to receive the redirect.
When redirecting to another channel's live stream, that channel must grant permission through YouTube Studio. This prevents creators from unexpectedly sending an audience to a channel that has not approved redirects.
How to set up a Live Redirect
- Open YouTube Studio.
- Select Content, then open the Live tab.
- Edit the live stream or Premiere that will send the audience.
- Open Customization.
- Under Redirect, select Add.
- Choose an eligible Premiere or search for another channel's live stream.
- Save the event settings.
Creators can also configure a redirect while managing a scheduled event in Live Control Room.
How cross-channel redirect permission works
| Permission option | Who can redirect to the channel |
|---|---|
| Channels I subscribe to | Channels the destination creator publicly subscribes to |
| All channels | Any eligible creator |
| Specific channels | A manual approval list containing up to 100 channels |
These permissions are found in YouTube Studio under Settings → Community. A destination creator can change or remove permission later.
Live Redirect vs. similar YouTube features
| Feature | What it does | When it happens |
|---|---|---|
| Live Redirect | Automatically transfers viewers to another live stream or Premiere | After the source event ends |
| Link in chat or description | Lets viewers choose whether to open another page | At any time |
| End screen | Promotes videos, playlists, subscriptions, or approved destinations | Near the end of an eligible uploaded video |
| Collaboration | Connects creators through production, publishing, or promotion | Varies by collaboration format |
When creators use Live Redirect
- Move a pre-show audience into the main event.
- Send viewers from a live stream to a scheduled Premiere.
- Hand an audience to another creator after a joint event.
- Create a sequence of related broadcasts across multiple channels.
- Keep viewers engaged after a shorter warm-up stream ends.
Live Redirect best practices
- Confirm the destination is scheduled and publicly available before promoting the redirect.
- Tell viewers where they are going before the source stream ends.
- Choose a destination with closely related content so the handoff feels intentional.
- Coordinate timing with the destination creator and allow for the brief page reload.
- Use a pinned chat message or spoken callout as a backup in case some viewers are not transferred.
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How many subscribers do you need for YouTube Live Redirect?
YouTube currently requires the channel sending the redirect to have more than 1,000 subscribers and no Community Guidelines strikes.
Can another channel redirect viewers to me without permission?
You control who can redirect to your content through YouTube Studio. You can approve subscribed channels, all eligible channels, or a manual list of specific channels.
Can Live Redirect send viewers to a regular uploaded video?
The feature is built for eligible live streams and Premieres. A normal uploaded video is promoted through other tools such as links, cards, playlists, or end screens.
Does Live Redirect combine the two streams' analytics?
No. It transfers viewers between separate events. Each video retains its own analytics, chat, watch page, and settings.