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Use a pinned live-chat message and the opening lines of your stream description to direct viewers to one relevant uploaded video or playlist. Chapters help viewers navigate that destination video; they do not create a link from the live stream. One important exception: links in live chat are not clickable in the vertical live feed in the YouTube mobile app, so give those viewers a searchable video title as well.

Choose the right destination before sharing a link

Match each invitation to a viewer’s immediate need. Send someone seeking an explanation to a tutorial, someone who wants highlights to a highlights video, or someone following a series to a playlist. A specific reason—such as “See the full breakdown of the chorus at 04:12”—is more useful than “Watch more.”

Use one primary destination for each need. Give it a recognizable title, and make sure the video actually delivers what the live message promises. If you are directing viewers to a particular moment, chapters on the destination upload can help them find it.

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Put the destination in the stream description

Add the video or playlist URL and a brief explanation near the beginning of the live stream description. YouTube descriptions can be collapsed, so viewers may need to expand them to see information placed farther down. Keep the main handoff prominent and use a description written for that stream rather than relying on a generic block of text. YouTube’s description guidance is at Tips for video descriptions.

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Post and pin the link in live chat

  1. Open the live chat for your horizontal stream. Post a concise message with the destination link and the reason to visit it. For example: “Want the full lesson on this section? Watch ‘How to Read the Rhythm’ here: .”
  2. Pin the message. Use the message’s menu to pin it. You can pin your own message or a viewer’s message. YouTube allows only one pinned message at a time; only the creator can pin or replace it.
  3. Replace it when the destination changes. If the stream’s focus or the most useful next video changes, unpin or replace the old message so the pinned invitation stays relevant.

See YouTube’s instructions for pinning live-chat messages.

Account for vertical live viewing on mobile

Do not promise that every viewer can tap the chat link. YouTube identifies links in live chat as clickable on horizontal live streams, but links in live chat are non-clickable in the vertical live feed viewed in the YouTube mobile app. Channel-description links are also non-clickable in that vertical-feed context. These differences depend on the viewing surface, not simply on whether a URL appears in your message.

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When mobile vertical viewers matter, include the exact video title or channel name in the message and invite viewers to search for it. Keep the title easy to distinguish from other uploads. YouTube outlines link behavior in Sharing links with your audiences.

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Add chapters to the destination upload

Chapters divide an uploaded video into labeled sections. They can help a viewer who arrived from your live stream jump to the promised topic, but they do not link the live stream to that video. Add chapter timestamps to the destination video’s description:

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  1. Open the video’s description in YouTube Studio and add timestamps with concise, accurate labels.
  2. Start the first chapter at 00:00.
  3. Include at least three timestamps in ascending order.
  4. Make each chapter at least 10 seconds long.
  5. Check that the labels match the content and any moment named in your live-chat invitation.

For example, a lesson might use 00:00 Introduction, 01:18 Basic pattern, and 03:42 Practice example, provided those timestamps reflect the actual video. YouTube’s full requirements are in Video Chapters.

Choose the handoff method that fits the destination

Method Destination Where it appears and link behavior Limits or eligibility
Pinned live-chat message Uploaded video or playlist link In live chat; clickable in horizontal live streams, but not in the vertical live feed in the YouTube mobile app Only one message is pinned at a time; only the creator can pin or replace it
Opening lines of stream description Uploaded video or playlist link In the stream description; keep the key information early because the rest may be collapsed. Channel-description links are non-clickable in the vertical mobile live feed context. No special eligibility is stated in YouTube’s cited description guidance
Chapters on the destination upload Sections within that uploaded video On the destination video; helps viewers navigate after arriving but does not create the live-to-video link First timestamp 00:00; at least three timestamps in ascending order; each chapter at least 10 seconds
End screen on an eligible upload Chosen video or playlist In the final 5–20 seconds of the upload Video must be at least 25 seconds long; some formats and surfaces are excluded. Check availability in YouTube Studio.
Live Redirect A Premiere or another live stream Handoff after a live stream ends Sending creator must have more than 1,000 subscribers and no Community Guidelines strikes; schedule the Premiere first

Use an end screen for the next step after arrival

An end screen can point a viewer from an eligible uploaded video to a specific video or playlist, creating another step after the live-stream handoff. YouTube allows end-screen elements in the final 5–20 seconds, and the video must be at least 25 seconds long. Some formats and viewing surfaces are excluded, so check which elements are available for the particular upload. Review end-screen performance in YouTube Analytics. Details are in Add end screens to videos.

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Use Live Redirect only for another live event or a Premiere

Live Redirect is not a replacement for a pinned link to an ordinary uploaded video. It sends viewers from one live stream to a Premiere or another live stream. The sending creator must have more than 1,000 subscribers and no Community Guidelines strikes. For a coordinated handoff, schedule the Premiere first, tell viewers to wait briefly after the live stream ends while the screen reloads, and configure the redirect in YouTube Studio. See How to use YouTube Live Redirect and YouTube’s live stream settings.

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A practical handoff checklist

  • Choose a specific video or playlist that satisfies a clear viewer need.
  • Put its link and a concrete reason to watch in the first visible lines of the stream description.
  • Post and pin the matching invitation in horizontal live chat; replace the pin if the destination changes.
  • For vertical mobile viewers, provide a searchable title because the chat link may not be clickable.
  • Add accurate chapters to the destination upload if it has distinct sections.
  • Use an end screen on the destination upload when eligible; reserve Live Redirect for a Premiere or another live stream.
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Common problems and fixes

Viewers say the link cannot be tapped

They may be watching the vertical live feed in the YouTube mobile app. Give them the video title or channel name to search for, and do not describe the URL as clickable for every viewer.

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The wrong chat message is pinned

Only one message can be pinned at a time. Have the creator replace the current pin with the correct message; another chat participant cannot change the pin.

Chapters do not appear as intended

Check the destination video’s description: the first timestamp must be 00:00, there must be at least three timestamps in ascending order, and each chapter must last at least 10 seconds. Verify that each label and timestamp matches the video.

There is no end-screen option for the upload

Check the video length and format. End screens require a video at least 25 seconds long, and some formats or surfaces are excluded.

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Live Redirect does not lead to the uploaded video

That is not its purpose: Live Redirect sends viewers to a Premiere or another live stream. Use a description or chat link for an ordinary upload, subject to the viewing-surface limitations above.

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