PostEaseThe short answer
Facebook Live is live video on Facebook. Facebook’s Help Center says Live “lets you livestream events, performances and gatherings,” watched from a phone, computer or connected TV, and that you can go live from a profile, Page, group or event.
Facebook lists two account requirements: the account must be at least 60 days old, and the Page or professional mode profile must have at least 100 followers. Viewers react and comment while you stream, and when the stream ends, the video stays as a post where you shared it.
Requirements
From Facebook’s Help Center:
| Requirement | What Facebook says |
|---|---|
| Account age | At least 60 days old |
| Followers | At least 100 on the Page or professional mode profile |
| Going live as a Page | Facebook access, or task access to create content, on the Page |
| Going live as a Page in a group | The Page linked to the group, and admin of both |
| Teens | In some countries, under-18s turn on Allow live video broadcasting in Teen safety settings; 13 to 15 need a parent’s or guardian’s permission |
| Browser | Google Chrome, to go live from a computer |
Three ways to stream
From a phone, you go live in the Facebook app. From a computer, Facebook offers a webcam or streaming software, also called encoding software, such as Open Broadcaster Software or Streamlabs OBS. Facebook also names the Facebook Live API and publishing tools as further options.
For streaming software, Facebook’s steps start at facebook.com/live/create: choose where the video will appear, pick Streaming software as the source, and copy the Server URL and Stream key into the software as a custom RTMP server, with RTMPS if the software supports it. A persistent stream key, turned on in Advanced Settings, can be reused for later streams, one live video at a time. Facebook warns never to share a stream key, since anyone who has it can stream to your post.
Scheduling a live video
On a computer, you can schedule a live video as an event, broadcast to your timeline, a Page you manage or a group. Facebook says scheduling creates two posts:
| Post | When it appears | What it holds |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement post | As soon as you schedule | The event name, date and time, cover photo or illustration, privacy and optional description |
| Live video post | At the scheduled date and time | The live video itself |
Who sees it
Facebook says all live videos from a Page are public, meaning anyone visiting the Page can see them. On your own timeline you choose the audience with your privacy settings. A Page can also go live only to a group it is linked to, which keeps the video inside that group.
Every broadcast must follow Facebook’s policies for Live. On a Page, you can turn on Embed Live Video in Settings, under Stream, and copy an embed code to show the stream on your website.
Planning a live that people attend
Because a scheduled live publishes its own announcement, most of the promotion is built in:
- Schedule a few days ahead, so the announcement post has time to reach people.
- Add a cover photo, since the event uses your cover photo otherwise.
- Use a persistent stream key for a regular show, and keep it private.
- Afterwards, the stream stays as a post; share it again for people who missed it.
Questions
How many followers do you need to go live on Facebook?
At least 100 on the Page or professional mode profile, and the account must be at least 60 days old, according to Facebook’s Help Center.
Can I schedule a Facebook Live?
Yes, from a computer. Create a live video event with a date and time; Facebook publishes an announcement post right away and the live video post at the scheduled time.
Can I use OBS to go live on Facebook?
Yes. Facebook names Open Broadcaster Software and Streamlabs OBS. Start at facebook.com/live/create, choose Streaming software, and paste the Server URL and Stream key into the software.
What happens to a Facebook Live video after it ends?
It stays as a post on Facebook where it was shared.
Sources
- Facebook, Go live on Facebook, checked October 2026.
- Facebook, Go live from your Facebook Page, checked October 2026.
- Facebook, Go live on Facebook using streaming software, checked October 2026.
- Facebook, Schedule a live video on Facebook, checked October 2026.
- Facebook, Go live as your Page and broadcast to a group, checked October 2026.