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Can a YouTube Channel Livestream With a Custom URL?

A custom channel URL does not affect livestream access. Existing custom URLs redirect to handle URLs, while YouTube’s verification, restriction, and age requirements still apply.
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Yes. A channel’s public URL—whether it is an older custom URL or its current handle URL—does not determine whether it can livestream. YouTube’s livestream eligibility rules apply separately. Existing custom URLs still work and redirect to the channel’s handle URL, but YouTube no longer lets creators set up new custom URLs or change existing ones.

Channel URL and livestream access are separate

Your channel URL is the public address people use to find your channel. A livestream’s stream URL and stream key are different: an encoder uses them to send the live video feed to YouTube. Neither type of channel URL grants livestream access or replaces YouTube’s eligibility requirements.

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What happens to an existing custom URL?

You can continue sharing an existing custom URL. YouTube says it continues to work and redirects visitors to the channel’s handle-based URL. However, YouTube Help states: “New custom URLs can no longer be set up and existing custom URLs can no longer be changed.” YouTube Help: Custom URL overview

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How to get a personalized channel URL now

Choose or change your YouTube handle. YouTube creates a handle URL automatically when you choose or change the handle. Use YouTube’s handle settings to manage it: youtube.com/handle. The resulting handle URL is the current personalized channel address; it is not an encoder stream URL or key.

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Check YouTube’s livestream requirements

YouTube Help lists three requirements: the channel must be verified, it must not have had a livestreaming restriction in the past 90 days, and the streamer must be at least 16 years old. A legacy custom URL or handle URL does not waive these conditions. See YouTube Help: Get started with live streaming for current eligibility details.

Choose how to send the live video

YouTube lists mobile, webcam, encoder, and console streaming as ways to go live. Choose based on your capture and production setup:

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  • Mobile: Stream from a phone or tablet.
  • Webcam: Stream using a computer’s webcam.
  • Encoder: Send a feed from streaming software or external production hardware. Configure the encoder with YouTube’s stream URL and stream key; these are not your public channel URL. YouTube’s encoder guidance is at Set up your encoder for live streaming.
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For YouTube’s method-specific instructions, see YouTube Help: Create a live stream on mobile, Get started with live streaming, and the live streaming setup guidance.

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Or let it run in the cloud

If your goal is to keep uploaded videos playing as a 24/7 YouTube livestream, StreamNeo is a separate option from changing your channel address. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live; StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos from the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It is YouTube-only and does not stream from a camera.

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