TikTok Live Requirements: Qualifying to Stream Live

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Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: Aug 20, 2024

TikTok 101

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The TikTok live feature allows content creators to host live streams for their audiences on the app. It helps them attract new followers and connect better with their audiences. However, you must meet some requirements to access this feature. But what are the TikTok live requirements?

To go live on this social media platform, you must be at least 18 years old. In most countries, you must have at least 1000 followers. However, this figure varies across countries. Still, several other requirements exist. 

Read this article to learn everything you need!

What Are the Requirements To Go Live on TikTok?

Before going live on TikTok, you must be 18 or older and have at least 1000 followers. This follower requirement is different in different countries, anyway. Since the social media platform recently updated these criteria, some questions exist.

Therefore, what are the requirements to go live on TikTok?

1. You Must Be 18 Years and Older

To use TikTok, you must be 13 years or older. However, the platform’s live feature has a higher age limit of 18. Previously, people could use the feature only if they were 16. However, the platform has updated this criteria, insisting it focuses more on safety. 

This age limit aims to ensure safety and privacy for the app’s young users. Since it has restricted the streaming tool to only adults, TikTok deals with some risks to minors. For instance, it aims to minimize inappropriate interactions, exposure to harmful content, and bullying. 

The age requirement also ensures compliance with regulations in many countries. Remember that most countries have laws to protect minors online. For this reason, the app has only allowed users of legal age to access this feature. This is partly to protect itself from legal problems. 

During live streams, TikTok users often send or receive virtual gifts that they can convert into real money. Since performing these transactions with minors isn’t legal, the app has kept them from the feature. Overall, this condition helps to control the stage for creators and viewers.

2. You Must Have at Least 1000 Followers

In addition to meeting the age criteria to go live, TikTok has a follower count requirement. In this case, the social media app only allows users with at least 1000 followers to access this feature. This rule ensures that content creators have attracted significant audiences before they can stream live.

This way, the social media app ensures that users have significant experience and relevance on the app beforehand. Therefore, it helps control the quality of content users share during their live streams on the platform. 

Since TikTok also targets peak activity and engagement, maintaining the 1000-followers threshold for live streams helps. In this case, people with more followers typically attract more engagement. This makes these streams more meaningful and lively.

Keeping to this follower threshold also helps TikTok minimize spam and misuse of the feature. There would be more spam cases if it were open to all accounts. However, people with established audiences are less likely to misuse the live-stream feature.

3. Stick to the TikTok Community Guidelines 

Before streaming on TikTok, familiarize yourself with the platform’s community guidelines. You can also maintain compliance during live videos to avoid bans or penalties. For example, your streams must not include violence, nudity, hate speech, or anything inappropriate. 

Since TikTok’s community guidelines help to make the app safe for its users, following them protects your account’s integrity. Also, they ensure that live streams are respectful and positive. Overall, these rules foster a more positive environment for all users. 

4. Avoid Copyrighted Music During Live Streams

Copyright laws apply to short-form videos and live streams on TikTok, which is a significant consideration. For this reason, only use sounds you have the right to. Even better, use the free sounds in TikTok’s licensed music library.

Minor violations like copyrighted music in your stream background can attract strikes. The app will also mute your streams if you play copyrighted sounds. Therefore, avoid these sounds to prevent such problems; this is one of the most important TikTok live rules.

How To Go Live on TikTok

TikTok live streams are excellent for promoting events or running questions-and-answer sessions with your audience. If you meet the requirements and wish to understand how to go live on TikTok, here are the steps.

1. Plan Your Live Video

Spontaneously starting a live session may work for you. However, if you’re looking for peak results, plan your live video first. Well-thought-out videos are generally more entertaining and engaging than ones you create out of the blue. 

Factor your goals and objectives for the video while planning, as they’ll help you tailor the conversation. Focusing on specific goals helps the platform promote your streams to your target audience, driving more views and engagement.

If it’s a Q&A session, prepare the answers to questions you may expect. Planning also helps you choose a relevant title that may attract more views. 

2. Confirm the Necessary Details

The details of TikTok live streams are important since they make your streams more engaging. For example, choose a good location and practice what you plan on saying a few times beforehand. 

If your goal is to promote a product, ensure that the product looks good on camera. Test your equipment and deal with potential technical problems that will cause interruptions. Again, the details are key; you wouldn’t want to mess that up.

3. Launch Your Live Video

Here is how to launch a live video on TikTok:

  1. Open TikTok on your mobile device.
  2. Tap the Add Post + button at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Choose Live from the options menu at the bottom of the screen.
  4. Add the title, effect, filter, and adjust the live settings and tools. 
  5. Choose Go Live, and the app will immediately launch your live video.

If you’re using a desktop or laptop, you can stream with the TikTok LIVE Studio or other studio software. These tools allow you to stream games while viewing the live chat, receiving gifts, and enjoying a high-quality experience. Getting a stream key is one of the necessary TikTok live studio requirements.

4. Host an Engaging Live Stream

As soon as the video starts, get straight to business. If you’ve already planned everything out, you’re good to go. Turn on the chat feature to allow your audience to converse during the stream. 

Looking through this chat can give you talking points during your stream. For instance, you can answer any questions they may have. You can also run polls to make everything more interesting and engaging. 

Why Can’t I Go Live on TikTok?

You can’t go live on TikTok if you don’t meet the age requirements. Also, you may be unable to access this feature with less than 1000 followers. But besides that, there are many reasons why you may not be able to stream. These range from issues with your account to technical issues.

If you have questions about why you can’t go live on TikTok, here are some of the reasons:

1. TikTok’s age restrictions: You cannot go live on TikTok unless you’re 18 or older. If you’re having issues with live streaming, check the date of birth you registered your account with.

2. You do not meet the follower count requirements: To go live on TikTok, you must have at least a thousand followers. This is one of the most important requirements for TikTok live. While you can override this restriction, check if your followers have fallen below the threshold. 

3. Violation of community guidelines: If you’ve violated TikTok’s community guidelines, the social media app may restrict your access to the live feature. For example, this restriction applies if you’ve shared inappropriate or sensitive content or harassed other users. 

4. Location-based restrictions: The TikTok live feature is unavailable in some countries. This is mostly due to local regulations or TikTok’s policies. Thus, you may not be able to live stream from those locations. 

5. Your app settings and device permissions: Sometimes, your app settings and device permissions limit features like live video streaming. For example, you may struggle to share live videos if you haven’t given TikTok access to your device’s camera and mic. 

6. Account review: TikTok often requires additional information from users before they can go live. It may ask you to verify your identity or offer extra details about yourself.

How To Go Live on TikTok With Less Than 1000 Followers

Previously, only users with 1000 followers and above could use the live feature on TikTok. While this is still an important requirement, TikTok has provided an option for those with fewer followers. 

Now, users who are live creators on other social media platforms can stream without having a thousand followers. The social media app allows people with a stable history of streaming on other apps to use this feature. But you must apply to use the live feature on TikTok.

While TikTok does not clearly describe the requirements, it mentions that it evaluates applications based on quality. You can apply if you have a streaming history on YouTube, Twitch, Kick, Instagram, or other apps.

If TikTok approves your application, it gives you streaming access for 14 days before it renews it for 180 days. The app allows you to keep using the feature if you remain active and do not breach its community guidelines. 

5 Tips To Make Your TikTok Live More Engaging

Live streams provide an excellent way to attract followers and gain significant engagement on TikTok. However, you’ll only get results when you do it right. To get more live viewers on TikTok, stick to practices that make the video streams more engaging. Here are five to consider.

1. Use a Catchy Title

Your TikTok livestream title lets you draw people’s attention to your video and sets the tone for your broadcast. Therefore, use a title that clearly describes the stream.

Also, add phrases that create a sense of urgency and prompt viewers to join immediately. For instance, phrases like Exclusive, Join Now, Limited Time, and Live can prompt this response. Do not forget to add keywords, personalization, and emojis for better effect.

2. Promote the Stream in Advance

While you plan your TikTok live stream, always include promotions. To do this, share short clips of your guests or highlights. You can also host giveaways to create some anticipation and excitement about the event.

Collaborate with other creators to promote each other’s live video streams. Preferably, collaborate with creators in the same niche as you. Finally, use hashtags to push your event ahead so that many viewers can join your TikTok livestream.

3. Moderate Comments During Your Stream

Moderate real-time comments during the event to maintain a positive and engaging atmosphere during your stream. Filter inappropriate and negative comments and keep them relevant to the topic.

Moderation also helps keep out spammy comments that affect the overall experience. This way, you can focus better on useful comments and questions from genuine followers. It also enables you to stick to your standards and values, maintaining trust.

4. Create a Streaming Schedule

To build a loyal audience on TikTok, you must consistently create content. While focusing on your video posts, pay attention to live streams. Creating schedules for your live videos is a great way to start. 

With a schedule, your followers know when to expect your content. You can also easily encourage people to tune in. When promoting your events on other social platforms, emphasize your schedule for better effect. 

5. Set up a Decent Streaming Studio

Consider taking your streaming efforts up a notch by setting up a studio. You do not necessarily need to buy expensive equipment when you can always start with basic items. For example, getting a tripod stand improves your stability significantly during your streams. 

A stand keeps your video stable, helps your audience focus better, and improves the overall experience. Proper lighting also increases the quality of your content. A simple item like a ring light can be helpful in that regard. 

Finally, getting a dedicated room or studio for streaming can minimize the background noise. All these factors contribute to a better live stream, prompting viewers to follow and engage with you, even subsequently.

FAQ

Do I really need 1000 followers to go live on TikTok?

Yes, you’ll need at least 1000 followers before you can go live on TikTok. However, the platform has recently permitted streamers from other social media apps to access the live feature. Still, you must apply to enjoy this feature.

How can you make money on TikTok live?

You can make money on TikTok live by receiving virtual gifts and donations from your viewers. Your viewers buy these virtual gifts with TikTok coins and send them during your streams. Subsequently, you can convert these gifts to diamonds and redeem them as cash.

How can you get more TikTok live views?

To get more views on your TikTok live videos, promote your live streams in advance on the app and other platforms. Also, use catchy titles, discuss current trends, and create high-quality videos. Overall, creating great content can boost your live views.

To Meet the TikTok Live Requirements, Get More Followers From High Social 

Are you looking for more TikTok followers to meet the requirements to go live? Attracting followers to your profile can be tricky, especially if you don’t have experience with the app. So, let a growth service do the job for you.

At High Social, a TikTok growth agency, we help users get real and organic followers. Having worked with thousands of influencers and leading brands, you can be certain of getting high-quality results with us.

Quickly sign up on our website and describe the type of followers you need. If you’re targeting followers of a specific age, location, and gender, we can help you get them. By promoting your content organically to your target audience, you can attract highly engaged followers to meet the TikTok live requirements.

High Social offers two affordable pricing packages, TikTok Elite and TikTok Core. The first plan costs $69 monthly, while the second costs $49. Since they offer varying features, find what best fits your needs. 

Why wait any longer? Start your growth on TikTok today!

TikTok 101