Use Multicast on Whatnot Use Multicast on Whatnot
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Use Multicast on Whatnot

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What is Multicasting?

With Multicast, Sellers can reach more people and keep their community engaged by streaming to multiple platforms at once. When going live on Whatnot from an iOS device or desktop, sellers can turn on Multicast to send their stream directly to YouTube Live, Facebook Live, or Twitch.

Note: Private shows can’t be multicast. Android streams aren’t currently supported.

How do I connect my accounts with Whatnot?

Once you have access to Multicast, you’ll see the option to connect supported platforms to your Whatnot account. Each platform has a slightly different setup experience.

Current supported connections:

  • YouTube Live: Log in and connect your account directly
  • Facebook Live: Log in and connect your account directly
  • Twitch: Enter your stream key

What is a stream key? A stream key is a unique code that lets Whatnot send your video stream to another platform. Each platform has its own stream key, so you’ll need to copy the correct key from your account settings to connect your channel.

For security, never share your stream key with anyone else. Sharing it could compromise your channel.

Multicasting best practices

  • Use an iPhone to manage your Whatnot stream and a second device to monitor chats on YouTube Live, Facebook Live, or Twitch, since Multicast doesn’t currently support chat aggregation. 
  • Mute audio on your additional streaming tabs or devices to avoid echo or sound interference. 
  • Engage with viewers across platforms by responding to questions, welcome viewers into the show, and encourage them to join your Whatnot show to shop and participate and purchase in real time. 
  • If you use music during your stream, make sure you understand each platform’s music and copyright policies. Rules may vary across platforms and could impact your account.

Multicasting to Youtube Live 

  1. By enabling the Multicast feature to stream to YouTube Live, you agree to comply with YouTube's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, available here: https://www.youtube.com/t/terms. You are solely responsible for ensuring that your use of YouTube’s platform, including content and interactions, aligns with their policies. Please review YouTube’s guidelines to understand how their terms may apply to your multicasting activities.
  2. You can manage your data and revoke access to this YouTube API Client through your Google security settings at https://security.google.com/settings/.
  3. Whatnot supports Youtube multicasting by logging into your Youtube account.
  4. Within the Whatnot app, schedule your show. When you are about to start your show, you will see the following modal after clicking “Start Show”
  5. Select “Multicast to other platforms”. 

  1. Select “Link account” for Youtube, which will open up the log-in flow from Google to connect your account. Complete the log-in requirements from Google. 

  1. Once your Youtube account is connected, it will display as “Active” within Whatnot. 

  1. When selecting “Go Live” on the “Do you want to start this livestream?” screen, you will start your show and start streaming to any platform that’s labeled as “Active”
  2. Selecting the arrow next to active allows you to toggle each platform on or off, depending on your choice.
  3. We automatically add the links to your profile and referral link within the Youtube Live description to make it easier for Youtube viewers to join your stream. In order to have link access within Youtube, please review Youtube guidelines here.

Multicasting to Facebook Live

Note: These instructions apply to both desktop and iPhone. We are currently investigating issues with multicasting and Facebook groups. We will update this article once it is solved. 

  1. Whatnot supports Facebook Live multicasting to a profile, page, or group by logging into your Facebook account. 
  2. Within the Whatnot app, schedule your show. When you are about to start your show, you will see the following modal after clicking “Start Show”.
  3. Select “Multicast to other platforms”. 
  4. Select “Link account” for Facebook, which will open up a second modal that lets you choose whether you want to link your profile, group, or page.

Connecting your Facebook Profile

  1. From the Facebook Live modal, tap on Facebook Profile, which will open up the log-in flow from Facebook to connect your account. 
  2. On the Facebook log-in flow, make sure to choose “Public” visibility from the dropdown if you want your Whatnot multicasts to be viewable by all.
  3. Once you finish the log in flow on Facebook, you should see your profile marked as connected and active.

Connecting your Facebook Page

  1. From the Facebook Live modal, tap on Facebook Page, which will open up the log-in flow from Facebook to connect your page. 
  2. On the Facebook log-in flow, make sure to choose “Public” visibility from the dropdown if you want your Whatnot multicasts to be viewable by all.
  3. [desktop users only] If you’re on desktop, you will also see an additional dialog asking you to choose which pages you want to share with Whatnot. Here, please select the page(s) that you intend to multicast to.
  4. Once you are logged in, the Facebook Live modal will display a list of pages, which when you tap on it, will bring up a modal to select one page to ultimately multicast to.
  5. Select the page that you want to multicast to, and tap on Connect
  6. Once you do so, you should see your page marked as connected and active.

Multicasting to Twitch

To get your Twitch stream key: 

  1. You must enable 2-Factor Authentication before you can access your Stream Key. Enable 2FA at twitch.tv/settings/security underneath Security & Privacy.

  1. Retrieve your stream key from the Creator Dashboard (Settings icon -> Stream). At the top of the page, you’ll see your Primary Stream Key.
     
  2. Confirm that your account has low latency selected. 

  1. At this point, you should copy your stream key and paste it into your Whatnot app. Select Multicast to other platforms, and select Twitch.
  2. Within this connect menu, input your stream key.

Viewer experience 

  • Viewers who are watching on Youtube, Facebook, or Twitch will see your iPhone stream with an rotating ticker overlay on top that includes your username

  • When you perform a giveaway on Whatnot, the overlay will change to include a QR code to encourage viewers to come to your stream

  • Viewers who are watching your stream on Whatnot will see no changes 

Managing your Multicast

  • When you are live with a multicast, a pill on the top left of your screen shows your active platforms 

  • Tapping on this pill opens up the multicast control panel which allows you to toggle different platforms on or off

  • When changes are made to the multicast menu, the seller can confirm updates by selecting “Apply”

  • These settings and controls are also available within Live Options or Seller Tools underneath the “Multicast” option 

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