Facebook Live allows users to broadcast live video streams to their followers on Facebook. It’s a great way to connect with your audience in real time. If someone you follow is broadcasting live, you’ll get a notification on Facebook inviting you to join their live video. Here are some tips on how to join a Facebook Live broadcast.
Enable Notifications
To get notified when someone you follow goes live, you need to enable notifications for live videos. On desktop, click the arrow in the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Then click “Notifications” in the left menu. Under the “Live Videos” section, check the box next to “Get Notifications”. On mobile, tap the three-line menu icon and choose “Settings & Privacy”. Tap “Notifications” and make sure “Live Videos” is turned on. This allows Facebook to send you a push notification whenever someone you follow starts a live broadcast.
Get Notified in Your Feed
When someone goes live, you may also see a notification in your regular News Feed. It will say “[Your Friend] is live” with a colorful “Live” tag. If you want to join the live video, simply click on the notification in your feed. This will open up the live broadcast and allow you to start watching.
Join From a Profile
You can also join a live video straight from the broadcaster’s profile page. If they are live, you’ll see a “Live” notification above their cover photo. Hover over the notification and click the “Join Live Video” button. This will instantly open the live stream.
Join From a Live Video Page
For live broadcasts with a lot of viewers, Facebook creates a special live video page. To access this page, click on the broadcaster’s profile picture from within the live video. This will open up a dedicated page where the live broadcast is streamed. You can access these pages even after the broadcast ends to replay videos.
Go Live on Your News Feed
Live broadcasts may also show up directly in your news feed while they are happening. You’ll see a “Live Now” tag on the video. Simply click the video to open the live stream. The broadcaster’s name and a viewer count will be displayed.
Search for Public Live Videos
You can also search for live videos from people or Pages you don’t already follow. At the top of your Facebook feed, click on the search bar. Select “Live Videos” from the menu to browse currently live public broadcasts. Click on any video to join the live stream.
Join from a Group
If someone goes live in a Group you’ve joined, you may see the broadcast under the “Live Videos” tab in that Group. Click the notification or the video thumbnail to view the live stream. Group admins can disable the ability for members to post live videos.
Watch with Friends
Facebook Live makes it easy to watch broadcasts together with your friends. Click the button with three people icons at the bottom of the video. This will show you which of your Facebook friends are also watching so you can video chat with them during the broadcast.
Comment and React
Part of the fun of Facebook Live is interacting with the broadcaster and other viewers. You can react to moments during the video with the “Like”, “Love”, and other emoji icons. Click the comment field to start typing your thoughts. The broadcaster will be notified of your comments and reactions in real-time.
Share the Broadcast
If you enjoy a live video, you can easily share it with your own followers. Click the Share button during or after the broadcast and choose where you want to share it – your own Timeline, in a Group, on a friend’s Timeline, etc. Increased sharing helps broadcasts reach more viewers.
Turn On Post Notifications
After a live broadcast ends, the video remains on the broadcaster’s Timeline. To get notified whenever they post future live videos, turn on notifications for their posts. Go to their profile, click Following below their cover photo, and choose “See First” under notifications settings.
Watch the Replay
If you missed out on a live broadcast, don’t worry – you can still watch a replay of the video after it ends. Replays are available on the broadcaster’s Timeline and the dedicated live video page. Watching replays also helps increase the total viewer count for the broadcaster.
Go Live Yourself
Once you get the hang of watching live videos, you may want to broadcast yourself! Click “Live Video” at the top of your News Feed or Timeline on mobile. On desktop, click the camera icon in your cover photo. You can invite friends, choose public or private viewing, and interact with viewers in real time.
Use Suggested Broadcasts
On Facebook’s mobile apps, you may see suggested live broadcasts to join at the top of your feed. Just swipe through to preview broadcasts from Pages and people you might be interested in. Tap “Interested” on any broadcast to join the live stream right away.
Discover Live Map
Facebook’s Live Map lets you explore broadcasts happening right now based on location. To access the map, go to the Explore menu and select “Live”. Browse the map and tap a broadcast to jump in. Use Live Map to find videos relevant to your city or community.
Save Videos to Watch Later
If you get notified about an intriguing live broadcast but don’t have time to watch, you can save it for later. Click the three dot menu in the top right of the notification and choose “Save Video”. You can access your saved videos from the menu on desktop and mobile.
Conclusion
Facebook Live is a fun and engaging way to connect with people in real time. With notifications, finding live videos is simple. Tap into broadcasts from friends, favorite Pages, Groups, and public figures. Interact through comments, reactions, and sharing. If you miss a video, you can still replay it later on Facebook. With these tips, you’ll be ready to easily join any live broadcast.
| Method | How To Join |
|---|---|
| Get Notified in Your Feed | Click on the “Live Now” notification |
| Join From a Profile | Click the “Join Live Video” button |
| Join From a Live Video Page | Click on the broadcaster’s profile picture |
| Go Live on Your News Feed | Click on the live broadcast directly in your feed |
| Search for Public Live Videos | Use the search bar to find public live streams |
| Join from a Group | Click on the live broadcast under “Live Videos” tab |
| Watch Replays | View replays of finished broadcasts on Timeline or live page |
Enable Notifications
Getting notified when someone goes live requires enabling notifications for live videos in your settings. This allows Facebook to send you push notifications whenever a live broadcast starts.
Interact with Broadcasts
Engage with live videos by reacting, commenting, and sharing the broadcast. The broadcaster will see your interactions in real-time. Increased engagement helps extend the reach of broadcasts.
Share Live Videos
If you enjoy a live broadcast, you can share it on your own Timeline or in Groups and chats. Sharing helps increase viewership for live videos. More viewers means more engagement for the broadcaster.
Save for Later
Can’t watch a live video right now? Save it for later viewing. Tap the three dot menu on mobile notifications to save videos. You can access your saved list anytime.
Turn on Post Notifications
To stay updated on all future live videos from a person or Page, turn on notifications for their posts. Go to their profile, click “Following” and choose “See First” for notifications.
Replay Finished Broadcasts
Missed a live video? Watch replays on the broadcaster’s Timeline or the dedicated live video page. Replays help increase total viewership for the video after it airs live.
Use Live Map
Discover live broadcasts based on location using Live Map. Browse the map to jump into videos relevant to your city, community, or interest.
Go Live Yourself
After getting familiar with Facebook Live, try creating your own broadcast. Go live to connect with your friends and followers in real time.