YouTube has introduced mobile live streaming for all users with at least 10,000 subscribers. The app displays a ‘big red’ capture button in the corner, which can be tapped to start a live broadcast, after setting an image thumbnail. Being built into the YouTube app, the streaming feature will have all the features of regular videos, such as being searchable, finding them through recommendations and playlists, and setting permission on who can view the video. The company also introduced ‘Super Chat’ which will let live streamers monetize in 20 countries, including India. The feature lets fans watching a live stream stand out from the crowd and get a creator’s attention by purchasing chat messages that are highlighted in bright colors and stay pinned to the top of the chat window for up to five hours. Note that Google had launched the live streaming feature with The Young Turks, AIB, Platica Polinesia, SacconeJolys, and Alex Wassabi at VidCon in June last year. The company mentions that it has used feedback in this time to improve the feature - for example slowing down the rate comments and improving streaming quality across devices. As we have said before, compared to other live streaming services from Facebook, Periscope and Meerkat, YouTube clearly has an edge as it allows users to search for live streams on the app. Periscope and Meerkat have an additional flaw - not allowing users to store streamed videos. Facebook and YouTube, on the other hand, can archive the videos which…
