Facebook Live allows users to broadcast live video streams to their followers on Facebook. This enables people and organizations to share live events, engage with their audience in real time, and grow their community. Attending a Facebook Live event is easy – you simply need to tune in at the scheduled time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to watch a Facebook Live event.
Step 1: Get notified about upcoming events
The first step is knowing when live events are happening. There are a few ways to get notified:
- Follow the Facebook page hosting the event – They will promote and share the live video on their Page leading up to the event.
- Sign up for event reminders – On the event Page, look for a button that says “Get Reminder” or “Interested.” Clicking this will notify you just before the event goes live.
- Turn on notifications – For Pages you follow, go to the “Following” tab and turn notifications on. This way Facebook will notify you when that Page goes live.
- Check Facebook Events – Browse upcoming live events being hosted on Facebook on the Facebook Events dashboard.
- Get suggestions on your News Feed – Facebook may suggest live videos based on your interests and likes. Keep an eye out for relevant live streams.
Enabling notifications is the best way never to miss an event from creators you follow. You’ll get an alert right before the live stream begins.
Step 2: Join the live stream
When the event starts, simply go to the Facebook Page hosting the live stream. If you’ve enabled notifications, click on the alert you receive which will take you directly to the live video.
On a desktop, the live stream will automatically start playing near the top of the Facebook Page when it’s live. On mobile, look for a red “Live” notification at the top and tap on the video thumbnail to enter the live stream.
Once the broadcast has ended, the video will be available for replay on the Page for a certain period of time, allowing you to watch it after the fact if you missed it originally.
Step 3: Interact and engage
One of the best parts of Facebook Live is the ability to engage with the hosts and other viewers in real time. Here are some ways you can interact during a live stream:
- Comment – Tap or click on the comment box to view existing comments and leave your own thoughts, reactions, and questions.
- Like or react – Tap the like or other reaction buttons to make your presence known.
- Share – Help spread the word by sharing the live stream on your own Timeline or in Groups.
- Go live yourself – Tap the camera icon to activate Facebook Live and request to join the broadcaster live on air.
The hosts can see these comments and reactions in real time and interact directly with viewers. Engaging with the content and community helps make the experience more fun and inclusive.
Step 4: Follow and subscribe
If you find a creator you really like, make sure to follow their Facebook Page so you never miss a live stream. You can also subscribe to their video content so all uploads and live replays appear in your video Watchlist and News Feed.
On the Page, click “Follow” or the “Like” button to receive updates. Hover over a video and click “Subscribe” to subscribe to their content.
This way you’ll get notified every time they go live or share a new video on Facebook.
5 tips for using Facebook Live effectively
Here are some additional tips for getting the most out of Facebook Live:
- Go Live consistently – Building a live streaming habit on a predictable schedule makes it easier for viewers to tune in live.
- Promote your events – Share your live streams on Pages, in Groups, on your Profile, and beyond to help drive viewership.
- Engage with viewers – Interact with the audience in real time to make them feel included.
- Reuse content – Re-share live replays and create video clips to extend the lifespan of your streams.
- Analyze results – Use Facebook Insights to view live stream stats and see how to improve for next time.
Related resources
These additional resources can help you master Facebook Live:
- Facebook Live best practices – Tips from Facebook on creating great live content.
- Facebook Live equipment guide – Recommendations for live streaming gear/software.
- Facebook Live analytics – Learn how to analyze the performance of your live streams.
- Creator Playbook for Facebook Live – Best practices for using live video to engage your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Facebook Live on desktop?
Yes, Facebook Live streams can be viewed on desktop via facebook.com. Just go to the Facebook Page broadcasting live and the video will appear at the top. Laptops and PCs offer the benefit of a bigger screen for watching live events.
Is Facebook Live available on iPhone and Android?
Facebook Live is available across iOS and Android devices in the Facebook mobile app. Simply launch the app, navigate to a Page that’s live, and tap the video thumbnail to view the broadcast.
Can I watch past live videos?
Yes, after a live stream ends, a replay of the video remains available to watch for a period of time, usually a few hours. To rewatch a live video, visit the Facebook Page where it was streamed and look for the replay thumbnail.
Can I share a Facebook Live video?
Absolutely. During a live stream or replay, tap the share icon to share the video on your own Timeline, in Groups, or other platforms. Sharing helps increase viewership.
How do I turn on live stream notifications?
Go to the Page you want to get notifications from and hover over “Following.” Click “See First,” then turn on “Live Videos” to receive alerts whenever they go live.
Can I download live streams?
There is no native option to download live videos. However, you can use third-party tools or extensions to download the replay after the live stream ends.
Conclusion
Facebook Live is a powerful way to interact with real-time video. By following Pages, tuning into broadcasts, engaging with content, and enabling notifications, you can become part of thriving live stream communities.
The interactive nature of live streaming on Facebook fosters meaningful connections between creators and audiences.
So go live or watch a few events – there’s a whole world of enjoyable content out there just waiting to be streamed.