TikTok introduced live streaming in 2019, allowing users to broadcast live video to their followers in real time. Since then, live streams have become an extremely popular feature on the platform. According to TikTok, live views increased 1000% between March 2020 and March 2021. The company reported that more than 1.2 billion people tuned into a TikTok live stream in a single month in 2021.
Live streaming allows TikTok creators to engage with their audience in real time through live comments and reactions. It provides opportunities for collaborations, challenges, Q&As, tutorials, performances, and more. The ephemeral, real-time nature of live video makes it compelling and addictive for viewers.
Live commerce, or live stream shopping, has also emerged as a massive trend, especially in TikTok’s Chinese version Douyin. TikTok reported that Douyin generated $119 billion in ecommerce sales through live streams in 2021 alone, a 7x increase from 2020. This demonstrates the huge money-making potential of live video.
Overall, live streaming on TikTok has become a go-to feature for creators and brands looking to expand their reach and engagement. With its explosive growth and built-in audience, TikTok presents major opportunities for monetization and influence through creative and interactive live streams.
Saving Live Streams
TikTok does not automatically save live streams after they end. However, as the streamer, you have the option to save the live video to your phone or choose to have TikTok save the video to be replayed later (source).
To save a live stream:
- During the broadcast, tap the “More” icon and select “Save to Device” to save the video to your camera roll.
- After ending the stream, you will have the option to “Save Video” which saves the stream to TikTok for replay.
If you opt not to save, the live video will disappear once you end the broadcast. So if you want viewers to see the video later, you must manually save it.
How Long are TikTok Live Streams Available
TikTok live streams are available for replay for 24 hours after the live broadcast ends. According to TikTok’s Help Center, “LIVE replays are available for 30 days and you can delete them from Replays in LIVE Center at any time.” [1] So while replays are stored for 30 days, they are only viewable for 24 hours after the live stream ends. After that 24 hour window, the replays are no longer public and can only be viewed by the creator.
This 24 hour replay availability gives viewers a chance to watch live streams they may have missed. It allows creators to extend the life of their live content beyond just the live broadcast. However, replays are automatically deleted after 30 days whether they were made public or not. So if you want to save a live stream long-term, you’ll need to download it or repost it within the first 24 hours.
Downloading Live Streams
There are a few different methods TikTok users can utilize to download live streams and replays:
To download a live stream while it’s happening, users will need to use a third-party streaming downloader or recording software. Some popular options include Offeo, Video Live Downloader, and ApowerSoft Screen Recorder. These tools allow saving live videos directly from the TikTok app.
To download replays after a live stream ends, the easiest method is through the TikTok app itself. In the profile of the person who streamed, tap on the “LIVE” tab, then on “Replays.” Find the replay you want to save and tap “Download.” The video will save to your camera roll.
You can also use third party apps and websites to download TikTok live replays. Websites like TTDownloder, Snaptik, and SSSTik allow entering the link to a live replay to download the video.
Reposting Live Streams
One way to share TikTok live stream replays is by reposting them. Reposting allows you to share someone else’s live stream on your own TikTok profile. To repost a live stream replay:
1. Go to the live stream replay you want to repost on TikTok. You can find replays on the creator’s profile under the “LIVE” tab.
2. Tap the share arrow in the bottom right corner.
3. Select the “Repost” option at the top.
4. You can add a caption or leave it blank.
5. Tap “Post” to repost the live stream replay to your own profile.
When you repost a live stream, it will appear on your profile with the original creator’s username attached. Reposting is a simple way to share live stream replays you enjoyed. However, the original creator has the ability to turn off reposting on their live streams if they choose.
Sources:
https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/what-is-repost-on-tiktok-how-to-use-new-repost-feature-1729778/
https://metricool.com/repost-tiktok/
Live Stream View Counts
TikTok live streams will display a real-time view count while the stream is active. However, after the stream ends, the view count will reset to zero after 24 hours.
This is because TikTok only shows the live view count for the first 24 hours after a stream ends. After that initial 24 hour period, the view count disappears and resets to zero, even if the video had thousands of views during the live broadcast.
According to TikTok’s support page, “The view count for LIVE replays will reset 24 hours after the LIVE ends. This allows the host time to download or repost the LIVE if they want to save the view count.”
So while hosts can see the total live views for the first day, after 24 hours elapse those view counts are erased. This explains why old live streams may show zero views, even if they were popular when originally streamed.[1]
The 24 hour reset gives hosts a chance to save or repost the live stream if they want to permanently display the view count. Otherwise, the view count will disappear from the platform after a day passes from the initial broadcast.
Finding Past Live Streams
One of the biggest challenges with TikTok live streams is finding past broadcasts after 24 hours. TikTok only saves live streams for 24 hours after the broadcast ends before deleting them. This makes it difficult to find and rewatch old live streams.
There is no archive or library of past TikTok live streams. The only way to rewatch a live stream is if the creator manually downloads and re-uploads the video as a normal TikTok video after the broadcast. Otherwise, the live stream will disappear forever after 24 hours.
TikTok does not provide any tools to search, browse, or find past live streams. The live streaming video format is ephemeral on TikTok and meant to be a real-time experience. As soon as the broadcast ends, the video starts a 24 hour countdown timer until it is deleted.
Some users recommend using screen recording software to record and save TikTok live streams you want to keep. This is the only reliable way to preserve a TikTok live broadcast for longer than 24 hours.
According to TikTok’s support page, “TikTok LIVE videos are not available for replay after 24 hours.” This temporary nature of TikTok live streams poses a challenge for viewers hoping to rewatch old broadcasts.
Live Stream Privacy
TikTok offers privacy controls to let you decide who can view your live streams. You can make your live streams public, private, or limit them to followers only.
To adjust live stream privacy settings:
- Open the TikTok app and tap on the Profile icon in the bottom right.
- Tap on the three-dot Menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings and privacy”.
- Tap on “Privacy”.
- Under “Live stream privacy”, choose “Everyone”, “Friends”, or “Private” to set who can view your live videos.
With the “Everyone” setting, any TikTok user can view your live stream. The “Friends” setting limits it to only your followers. “Private” makes the stream visible only to you.
Keep in mind your live streams may appear on hashtag pages or be re-shared by viewers. So limiting privacy does not guarantee full privacy. But adjusting the settings gives you some control over live stream visibility.
Pro Tips for Live Streaming
Here are some best practices for engaging your audience and growing your viewership with TikTok live streams:
Set clear goals and choose relevant topics for your live streams. This will help attract the right audience and keep them engaged. Some popular topics include Q&As, behind-the-scenes looks, tutorials, challenges, guest interviews, etc. (source)
Promote your live stream beforehand on your profile and other social channels to build hype. Let viewers know the topic, time, and why they should tune in. Post reminders leading up to the stream as well (source).
Interact with your audience in real-time during the stream by responding to comments and questions. Ask for feedback and input to keep them engaged. Consider adding moderators to help manage comments if you have a large audience.
Keep the stream visually interesting by using graphics, changing up camera angles and backgrounds, adding b-roll footage, etc. High production value helps retain viewer attention.
Have a strong ending planned instead of trailing off. You could recap key points, promote future content, or have a strong call-to-action. Leave them wanting more.
Analyze metrics after the live stream to improve for next time. Look at total live viewers, peak concurrent viewers, comments, shares, etc. to see what resonated.
Conclusion
In summary, while TikTok live streams are not saved by default, there are a few ways viewers can rewatch them. Live streams will be available to replay for up to 24 hours after ending. However, this replay is only available to viewers who were present during the original broadcast. Additionally, creators have the option to download their live streams to repost later through the TikTok app using the “Save to Device” feature.
Viewers can also screen record live streams as they happen in order to save them, though this does raise privacy concerns if shared without permission. There are also some third-party apps that claim to allow downloading of TikTok live streams. However, users should be cautious about trusting unverified apps with their data and accounts.
Overall, if viewers want to be able to rewatch a TikTok live stream at any time, their best bet is to coordinate with the creator to repost it on their profile after the broadcast ends. This allows the creator to have full control over the availability and privacy of their content.