How To Go Live On TikTok

Going live on TikTok is more than a way to have fun and spend your free time, it’s a dynamic way for creators and brands to connect with their audiences in real time. 

In the first quarter of 2025, TikTok Live amassed approximately 8.027 billion hours of watch time, accounting for 27% of the total livestreaming industry's watch hours. At any given moment, over 2.2 million TikTok users are tuned into live streams, with peaks of over 4 million concurrent viewers. 

Whether you are hosting a Q&A, sharing behind the scenes content or building a good space for your community, going live on TikTok is as simple as opening the app, tapping the “+” icon, selecting the “LIVE” option and hitting “Go LIVE”. 

In this article we’ll explore everything you need to know to go live on TikTok, step by step. We’ll also cover eligibility requirements you need to fulfill and the monetization possibilities to grow your presence and revenue. Let’s dive in!

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Who Can Go Live on TikTok?

In order to go live on TikTok there are some necessary requirements you must follow. 

To use LIVE on TikTok you must: 

• Have at least 1,000 followers
• Be at least 18 years old
• Use the latest version of the app
• Be located in a region where TikTok LIVE is available

Not Eligible Yet? Here’s What You Can Do

If you don’t have the necessary amount of followers to go LIVE, here are a few quick ways to grow your account. 

• Post Consistently: Set weekly or monthly goals and stick to them. Consistency is the key to success. 
• Focus On Your Niche: Find a topic you are passionate about and comfortable making content around. You will naturally fall into a specific category. Understanding TikTok categories and identifying the most popular ones can help creators like you showcase relatable content effectively.
• Hop On Trends: Find what’s popular and make sure to add it to your videos. Use relevant hashtags, popular sounds and trendy songs or challenges to boost discoverability. 
• Cross Promote Your Account: Promote your TikTok on Instagram, YouTube, X or any other platform you own. 
• Interact With Your Viewers: Engage with your audience by replying to comments, doing stitches and even duet other creator’s or user’s videos. 

Pro tip: whenever you are trying to grow your audience, avoid using shortcuts. Sometimes buying fake followers can seem tempting but it’s not a good idea. TikTok’s algorithm favors genuine engagement and fake followers don’t interact with your content. 

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How To Go Live On TikTok

Going Live on TikTok only takes a few taps on your screen. Follow this simple step by steps instructions to start live streaming: 

Step 1: Open TikTok

You want to open your app and go to the “+” button on the bottom center. That will allow you to both upload a regular video or start live streaming. 

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Step 2: Scroll until you see the Live Option

Once you are on the create menu, scroll through the different options and click on “LIVE”. 

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Step 3: Add Context To Your Live

Use a compelling title to make your LIVE attractive for viewers. Stick to clear and engaging topics respecting the 30 characters limit. 

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Step 4: Adjust Your LIVE Settings

Before going live, you can choose different filters or effects to apply to your video. You can also set moderators for the chat. 

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Step 5: Go LIVE!

Tap "Go Live", you’ll see a countdown from 3...2…1… and you're on!

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What happens if you follow the instructions but don’t get to see the LIVE option? Don’t worry, it’s probably because you do not meet the eligible criteria just yet. 

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Why Can’t I Go Live On TikTok?

If by any chance your account does not meet one or more platform’s requirements, you won’t be able to see the “Go Live” option. TikTok limits live streaming access to encourage safety and quality content for everybody. 

Here are the main reasons you might not have access to TikTok Live: 

• You are under 16 years old. TikTok requires users to be at least 16 years old to go live.
• You have less than 1,000 followers. Tiktok only unlocks the live feature for accounts with over 1,000 followers. 
• You’ve violated TikTok’s Community Guidelines. Infractions can temporarily or permanently limit access to certain features, including Live. 

How To Get The Live Option On TikTok If It’s Missing?

If you gathered all the requirements and can’t find the reason why you shouldn’t be able to live streaming on the platform, you can try this: 

• Step 1 - Update TikTok: An outdated version of TikTok can have missing features. 
• Step 2 - Restart your Phone: This simple action can often fix temporary bugs and restore all the app’s features. 
• Step 3 - Log Out & Log In Again: Sometimes TikTok Live is just glitchy. Logging out may trigger it to reappear.
• Step 4 - Contact TikTok support: If everything seems in order and Live is still missing, use the in-app support to report the issue.

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Why Does TikTok Live Matter?

TikTok Live gives creators the opportunity to make direct and authentic interactions that users really value. 

Streaming live content can seriously boost your engagement. The way your audience interacts with your videos says a lot about your content. The more likes, comments, shares, saves or reactions your TikTok has, the better. You can learn how to calculate your engagement rate to guide you into knowing how well your content is performing. 

• ‍Engagement Rate (ER) = [(Likes + Comments + Shares) / Views or Followers] × 100

Let’s make it clearer with an example! If your video has 1,000 views, 50 likes, 20 comments, and 10 shares, this is your formula: 

• ‍ER = [(50 + 20 + 10) / 1,000] × 100 
• ER = 70 / 1,000 x 100
• ER = 8%

Whenever you are going live on TikTok, this is how you can calculate your engagement rate!

• ‍Live ER = [(Comments + Reactions) ÷ Live Views] × 100

If your live had 2,000 views, 150 comments, and 90 reactions:

• ‍Live ER = [(150 + 90) / 2,000] × 100
• Live ER = (240 / 2,000) x 100
• Live ER = 12%

Higher engagement signals better content performance, which can lead to more visibility on the For You Page (FYP).

TikTok’s algorithm  determines the visibility of the different videos on the platform. Videos with high engagement and longer watch time are more likely to appear on the “For You Page”  (FYP) leading to higher discoverability. More people get to see you, follow you and, before you know it, you get famous on TikTok! 

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How To Monetize Your TikTok Lives?

While going live is a great way to build real connections with your audiences it can also be a great way to make money on TikTok.  

You can use live streaming as an opportunity to earn more revenue and grow your creator business by: 

Fan Support

Viewers have the possibility to send their favorite TikTokers gifts during live sessions. These virtual gifts can later be converted into real money. 

Live Gifts

Viewers can purchase TikTok coins (the platform currency) and use them to send different types of fun animations like roses, crowns or lions, as a way to support the creator. Depending on the type of gift, the value. 

Typically they range from 1 TikTok Coin ($0.01) to 34,999 TikTok coins ($350+). 

For example, sending a crown gift costs 1,000 TikTok coins (around $10). As a creator, you'd receive 500 Diamonds, which would equate to $2.50 (at $0.005 per Diamond).

Diamonds

For each gift sent, the creator receives Diamonds.  Diamonds represent your actual earnings. 

TikTok takes your gifts and converts them into Diamonds at a 50% exchange rate. Meaning that if you have 1,000 coins in gifts, you get 500 diamonds. Each diamond is $0.005. So with 500 diamonds you have $2,5. 

To withdraw your money, you need to get at least $10. Once you hit this mark, you can go to your Profile and in the 3 line menu at the top click on “Creator Tools”. Then go to “Balance” and tap on “Live Gifts”. Finally tap on the “Withdraw” option.

Quick note: Creators can withdraw earnings through PayPal once they reach 410 in Diamonds. The process may take 1-3 business days depending on the region. 

Promotion of Products & Services

TikTok LIVE is a powerful tool for social commerce. You can use your live sessions to: 

• Demonstrate how a product works in real time
• Launch new collections
• Host Live reviews with Q&A
• Offer “flash sales” or “limited time promotions” 

Brand Partnerships

You can use live sessions to strengthen your connection with brands or sponsor by: 

• Featuring their products  naturally during your lives
• Doing a sponsored unboxing or Q&A session
• Mentioning them in a way that aligns with your content and feels real and genuine. 

Drive Traffic To Other Platforms

You can use the exposure of live streams to redirect viewers to other platforms or content of your own. You can : 

• Promote a new YouTube video or podcast episode 
• Encourage viewers to join your newsletter or Discord
• Drive clicks to your storefront to drive sales and boost your commissions

Pro Tip: You can always apply to the Creator Rewards Program for more ways to make money on the platform and diversifying your revenue streams to make the most money out of your content. You can always check out how much TikTok pays creators in 2025 to better plan your content strategy.

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Tips For Better TikTok LIVES‍

TikTok LIVE is a great way to both interact with your viewers and create real connections and make extra money out of your content. Here are some key tips to make your live sessions better: 

• Go live when your audience is active. Find out with TikTok Analytics the best hour to stream content and get the attention of most of your viewers. 
• Create a good set-up. You can use a ring light, clean background and stabilize your phone for a good camera angle. 
• Engage all the time with the viewers. Ask questions, respond to comments, say usernames so they feel included. 
• Rewatch your own lives to know what works and what not so much. 
• Be authentic. Keep in mind that viewers seek for authenticity so your lives should look more like a casual hangout than a well produced set. 

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TikTok Live Features You Should Know

TikTok is always expanding its Live features in order to offer creators new ways to connect with their audience during streams: 

Filters and Effects

You can add personality and fun to your lives using TikTok’s built-in filters and visual effects. 

Co-Hosts

You can go live with another creator using the “Multi-Guest” option. This is a great way to collaborate with other tiktokers and bring in new audiences while hosting interviews or casual conversations. 

Pin Comments

You can highlight important comments or questions made by your viewers  by pinning them during the live. This can help guide the conversation and keeping the audience focused. 

Manage Comments

You can mute specific users or filter certain keywords to keep your chat under control and maintain a safe space for your audience. 

Add Links

TikTok can allow some eligible creators to add links during their lives to different websites, products or specific content. This feature is great for driving traffic on specific promotions. 

Live Events & Scheduling

You can schedule your Live in advance and promote it through a countdown sticker or post. This way you create the anticipation feeling and increase the number of viewers attending. 

Use Gifts & Monetization

Viewers can send virtual gifts that translate into real earnings. Make sure your account is eligible and set up to receive gifts.

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Final Thoughts On How To Go Live On TikTok

Going live on TikTok is more than just a fun feature, it’s a smart move. As a creator you can strengthen the relationship with your viewers, increase real-time engagement and unlock multiple monetization opportunities like fan support, product promotions and brand collaborations. 

All you have to do is find a topic you like, create a community and go live when your audience is active to make the most out of each live session. 

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