Are you streaming on Twitch and YouTube but feeling like your viewer count is stagnating, or you don’t know how to set up multi-streaming?

The good news is, with OBS, you can easily start broadcasting simultaneously on Twitch and YouTube. This article offers a clear explanation of the steps involved in using OBS for multi-streaming.

By reading this article, you’ll understand how to conduct multi-streaming and be able to put it into practice right away. Those looking to level up their streaming should definitely refer to it.

Steps to Simultaneously Stream on Twitch and YouTube Using OBS

By following the steps below, you’ll be able to use OBS for simultaneous streaming on Twitch and YouTube.

• Install the “obs-multi-rtmp” plugin
• Configure OBS settings
• Enter the Twitch stream key
• Enter the YouTube stream key
• Start simultaneous streaming

Let’s look into each of these steps.

STEP 1: Install the “obs-multi-rtmp” Plugin

The “obs-multi-rtmp” is a well-known OBS plugin for multi-streaming. By adding this plugin, you can add multiple streaming destinations and output video and audio to each of them simultaneously.

Visit the following page to download the latest version of the “obs-multi-rtmp” installer and save it to your computer. Then, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to select “Install”.

Download page here

With this, the functionality of OBS will be expanded, allowing you to set up an environment for simultaneous streaming on multiple platforms.

For those interested in learning about other recommended OBS plugins, please refer to the article below.

List of Recommended OBS Plugins | Introduced by Purpose

STEP 2: Configure OBS Settings

Next, launch OBS and check if the plugin was added successfully.

Select “Dock” from the top menu, and if “Simultaneous Streaming” is included in the list, the installation was successful.

Next, set up the main streaming destination. Click “Simultaneous Streaming” from “Dock” and open the window to add streaming destinations.

STEP 3: Enter the Twitch Stream Key

To configure the Twitch stream key, follow these steps:

1. Access the Twitch settings screen

• Log in to Twitch and open the “Creator Dashboard”.
• Select “Settings” → “Stream” from the left menu
• Copy the stream key
• Check the “Primary Stream Key” displayed and copy it to the clipboard

2. Configure settings in OBS

• Launch OBS and open the “Simultaneous Streaming” settings screen
• Enter rtmp://live-tyo.twitch.tv/app/ in the “URL” field
• Paste the copied stream key into the “RTMP Key” field

After confirming the entered details, click “OK” to finalise the settings. Completing these steps allows you to stream on Twitch using OBS.

For those who want to learn more about streaming via OBS×Twitch, refer to the article below.

Comprehensive Guide to Streaming on OBS×Twitch: From Connection to Start

STEP 4: Enter the YouTube Stream Key

For configuring YouTube streaming settings, follow these steps to set the stream key:

1. Access YouTube Studio

After logging into YouTube, click on the icon in the upper right corner and select “YouTube Studio” from the displayed menu.

2. Copy the stream key

Open “Live Streaming” from the left menu. Next, select “Encoder Stream” from the encoder settings screen and copy the stream key from the live streaming settings.

3. Edit OBS settings

• Open OBS and go to the “Simultaneous Streaming” settings screen
• Enter rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2 in the “URL” field
• Paste the copied stream key into the “RTMP Key” field

Confirm the entered information and press “OK” to save the settings.

For those who want to know more about using OBS for streaming on YouTube, check out the article below.

How to Stream on YouTube Using OBS: Best Settings Explained

STEP 5: Start Simultaneous Streaming

Once the setup is complete, follow these steps to start simultaneous streaming:

1. Start the main stream

Press the “Start Streaming” button on OBS to begin streaming on the main platform you set up first.

2. Enable additional streaming destinations

Open the “Simultaneous Streaming” window in OBS, and click “Start Streaming” on the other platform to begin streaming there as well.

3. Verify streaming is running smoothly

Check that streaming is progressing smoothly on both platforms. Make sure there are no issues with stream stability or comment interaction.

By following these steps, you can smoothly start simultaneous streaming on Twitch and YouTube.

Reasons to Recommend Simultaneous Streaming on Twitch and YouTube Using OBS

Here are the reasons why we recommend simultaneous streaming on Twitch and YouTube using OBS:

• Expand your audience reach
• Store archives for an extended period
• Reduce streaming risks

Let’s delve into each point.

Expand Your Audience Reach

The major appeal of multi-streaming on Twitch and YouTube using OBS is the ability to reach different audience demographics.

Twitch is renowned for its gaming-centric community, bringing together game enthusiasts. On the other hand, YouTube boasts a broader range of content, attracting diverse viewer demographics.

By engaging in simultaneous streaming, you can simultaneously tap into the distinct user bases of both platforms, enhancing brand recognition and potentially acquiring new fans.

Moreover, using multiple platforms might lead one platform’s viewers to discover and engage with your content on another platform.

Store Archives for an Extended Period

A downside of Twitch is its limited archive retention period, leading to automatic deletion after a set duration.

Conversely, with YouTube, content can remain accessible indefinitely as videos post-stream, allowing viewers to revisit past content.

This is a significant advantage for those aiming for long-term audience growth. Streaming on both platforms enables you to extend the lifespan of your content.

Reduce Streaming Risks

Even if one platform encounters server issues or undergoes maintenance, streaming can potentially continue on the other platform.

This ensures that viewers can continue enjoying content uninterrupted, a major benefit. Furthermore, simultaneous streaming offers a risk distribution strategy if your streaming setup becomes unstable, as viewers can seamlessly switch between platforms during disruptions.

Is Simultaneous Streaming on Twitch and YouTube with OBS Prohibited? Is It a Violation?

Previously, simultaneous streaming on Twitch and YouTube using OBS was against Twitch’s terms of service. Particularly, partners and affiliates had an exclusivity obligation, making it a breach of regulations.

However, with the policy revision in October 2023, simultaneous streaming on Twitch and YouTube is now officially allowed. Consequently, you can broaden your audience base across multiple platforms.

When streaming, make sure to check the latest guidelines of each platform and adhere to the rules for responsible streaming.

Points to Consider When Simultaneous Streaming on Twitch Using OBS

Here are important considerations for simultaneous streaming on Twitch using OBS:

• Do not redirect viewers to other platforms
• Ensure the same or superior streaming quality on Twitch
• Avoid combining chats from other platforms

Let’s explore each point in detail.

Do Not Redirect Viewers to Other Platforms

When simultaneous streaming on Twitch, redirecting viewers, such as saying “I’m also streaming on YouTube”, is a violation of the platform’s terms, so caution is required.

Sharing links or directly guiding viewers to other streaming destinations is strictly prohibited under Twitch’s guidelines.

Violations of this rule may result in penalties to your account. It’s crucial to offer an independent viewing experience on each platform, respecting both sets of rules.

Ensure the Same or Superior Streaming Quality on Twitch

When simultaneously streaming on Twitch, it’s imperative to offer quality equal to or greater than other platforms. Optimize settings for video and audio to deliver a satisfying viewer experience.

Specifically, adjusting the streaming bitrate and resolution is essential for providing smooth and high-quality visuals. Engaging in real-time comment interaction is also important for fostering viewer communication.

By understanding Twitch’s unique characteristics and audience demographics, you can aim for distinctive streaming that stands out from other platforms.

Avoid Combining Chats from Other Platforms

Combining chats from multiple platforms like Twitch and YouTube in the display for viewers is against Twitch’s terms and should be avoided.

Each platform places a premium on its unique user experience, and directly sharing elements from other platforms is prohibited.

For example, using tools like OBS to display YouTube chat over a Twitch stream is not allowed.

When multi-streaming, it’s crucial to maintain independent viewing experiences for each platform. Ensure compliance with rules while effectively communicating with viewers.

Reasons for Load During Simultaneous Streaming and Their Solutions

While convenient, simultaneous streaming with OBS may lead to PC or internet issues due to load, resulting in screen loss or interruptions stemming from misconfigurations or environmental problems.

Let’s explore the causes of load and screen loss during simultaneous streaming with OBS, along with solutions:

• Insufficient PC specifications
• Insufficient network bandwidth
• OBS configuration errors

Let’s examine each with its solutions.

Insufficient PC Specifications

Simultaneous streaming places a high demand on CPU and GPU, and if the PC’s performance is insufficient, you may encounter slow operation or screen loss. Particularly, encoding processes or high-resolution video output may be the culprits.

A practical solution is altering OBS’s encoding settings to “hardware encoding” to alleviate CPU load. Additionally, lowering resolution or framerate reduces the overall processing burden.

If feasible, acquire a high-performance PC to solidify an environment capable of stable multi-streaming.

Insufficient Network Bandwidth

Given the large volume of data transmission required during simultaneous streaming, inadequate network speed or stability can disrupt streams. Especially with excessive bitrates, bandwidth constraints may cause video delays or screen loss.

Mitigation involves lowering the streaming bitrate appropriately to lessen network load. Switching from wireless to wired connections can also ensure more stable communications.

Consider introducing high-speed internet to withstand heavy data exchange requirements.

OBS Configuration Errors

Incorrect OBS source settings or conflicting plugins can result in screen loss or missing audio during streams.

Effective remedies include verifying each source individually, deleting unnecessary plugins, and updating OBS to the latest version.

Conduct a test stream before going live to check for dropped frames or encoding issues using OBS’s statistics to preempt troubleshooting.

For those seeking more insights on OBS performance issues, refer to the article below.

Comprehensive Guide on Resolving OBS Performance Issues

What’s Next After Starting Simultaneous Streaming with OBS?

This guide walks through the steps for simultaneous streaming on Twitch and YouTube using OBS. Multi-streaming allows you to expand your audience, store archives over time, and mitigate streaming risks.

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