> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://sl-6d1f19fe-mintlify-ff95e355.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# YouTube via RTMP stream key

> Stream a pre-recorded video to YouTube 24/7 using a stream key from YouTube's live control room — manual setup, no account connection.

This page covers streaming to YouTube with a **stream key** you copy from YouTube yourself. If
you'd rather connect your channel and let Streamloop manage the broadcast, use the
[managed connection](/platform/youtube) instead.

Use a stream key when you want to create and control the broadcast in **YouTube Studio** — for
example, on a channel you can't connect with Google sign-in.

## Get your stream key from YouTube

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open YouTube Live">
    In YouTube Studio, click **Create → Go live** to open the live control room.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy the stream key">
    On the **Stream** tab, copy the **Stream key** (it looks like `live_xxxx_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx`). The
    ingest URL is `rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Add it to Streamloop

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the destination picker">
    In your loop's **General** tab, click **Connect a destination**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose YouTube (RTMP stream key)">
    Pick **YouTube · RTMP stream key**. Give it a **Display name**, leave the **RTMP URL** as the
    pre-filled `rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2`, paste your **Stream key**, and click
    **Save destination**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Shortcut: paste the stream key straight into the destination search box. Streamloop detects the
  YouTube format and connects it for you — you'll see **"Connecting YouTube key…"** while it links.
</Tip>

## What you manage where

With a stream key, **you** own the broadcast settings. Set the title, description, privacy, and
thumbnail in **YouTube Studio** — Streamloop only sends the video to the key you provided. For
title, privacy, thumbnail, and schedule control inside Streamloop, switch to the
[managed connection](/platform/youtube).

<Note>
  Ready to go live? Add your key on [streamloop.app](https://streamloop.app), or follow the
  [quickstart](/quickstart).
</Note>