What Is A Stream Key And How Do You Use It? – SlashGear

All streaming platforms that are compatible with third-party tools like OBS assign you a stream key. The stream key is basically how the program tells the streaming service where to send the video and audio feeds of your display. Generally, stream keys are buried in the profile section of your streaming site of choice.

On Twitch, you can find your stream key by going to the “Stream” options in the “Settings” menu in the Creator Dashboard. 

On YouTube Live, click on the “Create” button and select “Go live” to access your streaming settings. Under the “Stream Settings” tab, you will see your stream key with the option to reset and copy the stream key without revealing it. You can either click “Copy” to copy the stream key, or toggle the stream key’s visibility with the eye icon to copy it manually.

On Instagram, you need to use a desktop computer to access your live stream key. Start by going to the Instagram website and logging in. Once you’re logged in, click the Add post button and click “Live” from the drop-down menu. In the Live video popup, select Public or Practice, and click “Next.” The next screen you see will show you your stream key and the stream URL. It should be noted that Instagram Live stream keys are single-use, and you will need to generate a new one each time.

That should cover it for the bigger streaming sites, but if you are streaming to a different site, you can probably find the stream key in your profile or in the setup process of your live stream.