Google recently launched their new video calling app Duo. With the launch of the new app, they announced that on September 12th, they will be discontinuing Google+ Hangouts On Air and pushing users to YouTube Live; and thus, upcoming events will no longer be accepted on Google+. Read Google’s detailed statement on this change here.
Google introduced Hangouts On Air in 2012. Using Hangouts On Air, people were able to record their video conversations. One could initiate a broadcast by opening a Hangout Chat and by selecting the option to record. Once done, Google would automatically upload a public recording to the user’s YouTube channel and add a link to Google+.
Now with the launch of YouTube live streaming in June and with the downfall of Google+ in general, Google has decided to put Hangouts to rest.
So starting next month, users will be prompted to navigate to Live Streaming Events in YouTube Live’s Creator Studio. To set up a broadcast, follow these steps:
- Go to Live Streaming Events in Creator Studio
- Click on “New live event”
- Select a “Quick” or “Custom” event
- Give a title to your stream
- Click on “Go live now” or enter in details to schedule your event for later.
Recorded events will continue to be available on YouTube.
So if you’re a celeb reaching out to your fans, a food blogger sharing a new recipe through or a hair artist sharing hair tutorials, Google will let you control your audience for every broadcast. When initiating a new event, choose either one option: public (anyone can see), unlisted (anyone with a link can join), or private (only those invited can join).
The Q&A feature is not currently available on YouTube Live. If you want, Google Slides has a Q&A feature that can be used in a broadcast or you can use social media to gather questions ahead of the event.
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