🔴 Let's Talk About AFK TikTok Streams

Hey, it’s Harry.

Welcome back to another week of the streaming and content journey.

Does anyone else feel like the world of content creation went into overdrive this week? Especially gaming. With big Fortnite updates and the GTA6 trailer.

There’s a lot more going on too. Let’s dive straight in.

📰 In Today’s Edition

• 🖥️❌ AFK TikTok streams - Are they a problem?

• 🚀 Lessons from the biggest streaming event of the year

• ❓ Your help is requested

• 🔑 More stream key news

🖥️❌ AFK TikTok Streams - Good Or Bad?

Last week we talked about “grow streams” on TikTok so let’s talk about another controversial type of stream: AFK streams.

What is an AFK Stream?

Simply put, the streamer is never present during the livestream. Recent viral examples include the NPC Cat and interactive keyboard control streams. The streamer has the chance to gain followers, views and gifts without even being there.

Is This Even Allowed?

Not usually.

TikTok has a whole range of rules that you are required to follow. Unfortunately, most of these rules are not within the community guidelines and are instead buried deep within the Live Center. You can find them under “Rules and guidance”.

To put it simply, TikTok attempts to add restrictions to any streams that “don’t require creator’s interaction”.

As per usual, TikTok does not appear to consistently enforce these rules. I regularly get asked by people why their account is restricted while another account showing the same content is not. Many words come to mind: erratic, chaotic, disorganised and haphazard, to name a few 😂.

What Do Streamers Think?

My YouTube poll resulted in the biggest poll response I’ve ever had and shows mixed opinions.

What do you think? Vote below!

My Thoughts

I have conflicted feelings.

On one hand, it can be a good way to generate followers and money.

On the other, it is not a good way to build a community and can impact the reach of streamers who are actually present, as Sancho said above.

Part of me thinks that TikTok should simply let the viewers decide. The algorithm is designed to do this anyway. More interaction means more views.

The other part of me thinks that a livestream should be just that: LIVE. I can see TikTok’s train of thought when they try to stop AFK streams.

Related Videos

Many of my “AFK” style tutorials can be easily adopted into content where you are present, which will help you build a strong community and deeper connection with viewers.

• NPC Cat - Why not use it as a companion instead of the main attraction?

• Keyboard Control - Play the game yourself and let viewers cause chaos while you play!

• Interactive Roblox - Likewise everything in this video can be done while you are present.

P.S. If a streamer who isn’t present is called an “AFK” streamer, what do you call a streamer who is present? Calling them just “streamers” isn’t clear. Hit reply and let me know your thoughts on the whole topic! 🤔

🆘 Your Help Is Requested

Do you have a minute to quickly answer three questions?

Take my survey to help me provide the best content on my TT LIVE With Harry YouTube channel.

🔴 OG Fortnite Goes Out With A Bang

Last Saturday was one of the biggest ever Fortnite live events and with it came massive livestreaming numbers. Ninja got close to 1M concurrent viewers across TikTok, Twitch and YouTube and Lazarbeam got close to that just from YouTube!

The one big change this time? Many were multistreaming. Streamers such as Nick Eh 30 or SypherPK took advantage of this but you don’t need to be a household name to do this.

In fact, they were showcasing a common strategy these days of only multistreaming during major events. Personally I multistream nearly every time I decide to go live.

Whatever your preferences, there are many ways to multistream. If you’re using Streamlabs Ultra like me then here is my affiliate link for $9 off.

🔑 Stream Keys and LIVE Studio For Established Streamers

Over in the LIVE Studio Discord server, they have announced a new way to get a stream key and LIVE Studio access.

There’s just one problem with this. Most people below 1K followers can’t see the “LIVE” section when they press the plus button on the app. Another cockup by TikTok? 🤔

Instead, if you don’t have access try this link which seems to work for some.

📰 Other TikTok News

As I said earlier, the news is flowing this week. Here are three more TikTok stories.

1. Compatibility mode is now available to all LIVE Studio users who have an NVIDIA graphics card.

2. Voice chat is a new LIVE feature that TikTok is testing.

3. Activities are another, although Joseph noted that there appears to be nothing showing

🎯 Bullet Point News

• Kick records a very slight drop in hours watched for the platform compared to last month, indicating an end to their explosive growth phase.

• The GTA VI trailer comfortably breaks the YouTube record for the most viewed non-music video in 24 hours.

• X streaming just got better with the announcement of their official Streamlabs integration. Multistreaming is easier than ever. Get $9 off Streamlabs Ultra with my affiliate link.

• Just One Block is an interactive Minecraft plugin designed to get you more gifts. Code HARRY for a limited-time discount.

• Creator Wizard’s newsletter sends you a list of sponsorships every week. I’ve already maxed out my affiliate link rewards but here’s the signup link anyway!

👋 Thanks for reading!

Harry

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