Host a public live stream in your community

Last updated: October, 2026

Whether your community is public or private, Circle live offers you the ability to organize public live streams, reaching a broader audience outside your community. In this article, we'll walk you through the process of setting up a public live stream.

To create a live stream from a desktop browser:

1. Click the community name or logo (or the dropdown icon next to it) in the top-left corner and select Back to community.

2. Click Go live in the lower corner of the sidebar and select Start a live stream.

💡 Tip: You can start an instant live stream from the Circle mobile app by tapping the ➕ icon on the control bar and selecting Go live.

ℹ️ Note: The live stream sessions are subject to a time limit of 8 hours (whether or not live recording is enabled), after which it will end automatically.

By default, only admins can start an instant live stream in the community. If you wish to grant this privilege to all your members, refer to Allow members to go live in your community.

Depending on your configuration for allowing members to go live and create events within specific event spaces, they can seamlessly utilize both instant live options and schedule events directly from the Go live flow.

📚 To learn about how many simultaneous Circle live sessions your community can host, check out our guide here.

There are two ways of going live in your community:

• Start an instant live stream

  • Go live in your community anytime with a click of a button.

  • A public live event URL will be available backstage and during your live stream session. You can share this URL with visitors so they can join the live stream.

• Schedule a live event

  • Plan your public live stream event in one of your event spaces, with the location selected as Circle Live Stream.

  • Choose visibility as Public.

  • Choose to record live and/or automatically post the recording to the event description afterward.

  • Once you publish the event, a public live URL will be generated for you on the Overview tab of the Edit event page. You can share this URL with visitors so they can join the live stream.

  • For more information about events, see Events.

Let's set up live stream details and configure various options before going live in your community.

• Title: Give your public stream a title that'll be displayed in the in-app notifications for community members and the live stream information tab for all participants.

• Custom URL slug (optional): You can add a custom URL slug for this stream. If left blank, it'll automatically take the stream title as a slug.

  • ℹ️ Note: Changing the custom URL slug after your public link has been generated does not automatically update the existing public link. This is by design as the link may have been shared outside Circle (e.g., in broadcasts, on web pages, etc) or included in confirmation emails. Automatically updating it would break those links. As a workaround, if you want the public link to use your new slug, disable the Share to Web toggle, then turn it back on. This generates a new public link using the updated slug. Any previously shared public link will stop working.

• Description (optional): You can include a stream description that appears on the information tab inside the stream. The live stream description has a limit of 255 characters.

• Visibility: Choose Public from the menu.

• Default view: Select from Speaker or Gallery as a default stream view for participants.

ℹ️ Note: When you choose Public visibility, your community members will also be able to join the live stream.

If you wish to record this stream, turn on the Record this stream toggle. Once the stream ends, the recording will automatically be sent via email to the live host’s account email. If a member is hosting the stream, the recording will be sent to their account email.

ℹ️ Note: Once you proceed backstage, you won't be able to modify the recording configuration.

💡 Tip: Community admins can also download the recording directly from the live dashboard.

If recording is enabled, a 🔴 Recording indicator will appear on the live screen, providing a clear visual cue that the session is being recorded. Additionally, individuals joining the live session will see an indication on the join screen that the live is being recorded.

Turn on this toggle to keep the list of participants hidden from the attendees during the live session. When enabled, only the host, co-host, and the live moderator can access the participant's list from the control bar.

To automatically mute all co-hosts or participants when they join a live session, turn on the Mute participants toggle. After joining the live session, participants can unmute themselves.

Turn on this toggle to disable the chat during an event. When you disable chat, the chat panel is hidden for all participants on web and mobile. This is a per-session setting, so you can enable it for specific events while keep it disabled for others.

This is especially useful for one-way broadcasts, compliance-sensitive events, or sessions where chat would be a distraction.

❗️Important: To prevent accidental activations, this setting cannot be changed once the event starts.

You have the flexibility to add attendees and co-hosts to your stream during setup.

To add attendees:

1. Go to the Attendees tab and click Add attendees.

2. In the Invite members dialog, enter the member's name and select them from the list. If you wish to include members from certain spaces, a space group, or those with specific member tags, simply type the relevant name and choose from the list.

3. Click Save.

To add co-hosts:

1. Go to the Co-hosts tab and click Add co-hosts.

2. In the Add co-hosts dialogue, enter the member's name and select them from the list.

3. Click Save.

To remove any member from the attendees or co-hosts list, click Manage, hover over a name, and then click Remove.

ℹ️ Note: Visitors are included in the total participant limit of your community plan. For more information about live stream limits under your community plan, see the following:

• Welcome to Circle live

• Circle pricing

Click Continue to video test to proceed to the next step, where you can test your microphone, camera, and device settings before entering backstage.

📚 To learn more about previewing and adjusting your audio and video, see our guide here.

Once you are ready, click Enter Backstage on the live stream screen.

Backstage allows you to prepare and collaborate with co-hosts before going live. Once you enter backstage, the co-host will get notified in-app to join you in the stream.

While backstage, you can copy the public live URL from the Share live event link dialog or the Stream information panel. Share this URL with your visitors using your preferred communication method.

ℹ️ Note: If members or visitors are trying to join the stream while you are still backstage, they’ll be directed to a screen with a message informing them that the stream will start soon. Once you go live, the option to join the stream will appear for them on the screen.

Once you are ready to start streaming, on the control bar, click Go live, and then confirm in the dialog.

🔔 Notifications: When you go live, all community members get an in-app notification on the desktop and a push notification on the Circle mobile app.

ℹ️ Note: Participants might notice a slight delay (around 10 seconds) in the time it takes for the hosts' audio and/or video to reach them. While it can depend on participants' internet connection, this delay is the norm on mass live streaming services, and so is to be expected.

After you begin your live stream, you have access to various options available on the live stream screen to manage your session, including the ability to:

• Manage device settings

• Report technical issue

• Internet strength

• Raise your hand

• Toggle microphone and camera

• Share your screen

• Reactions

• Participate in a chat (if enabled)

• Participate in Q&A

• Invite your community member to co-host the stream

• Manage live video layout

  

📚 For more information about managing your live stream, refer to the Live Management section in the Help Center.

Once you are done, you can click End Stream to end the streaming session.

In case you (the host) decide to leave the stream without ending it and co-hosts remain in the stream, the stream will continue to be active, but co-hosts won’t receive host privileges. The host can also return to the stream by clicking the Join stream in the live banner in the lower corner of the left sidebar.

There are several ways to end the stream if the host has left:

• The host can click End Stream in the live banner in the lower corner of the left sidebar.

• One of the community admins can end the stream from the Live dashboard.

• The remaining co-hosts can leave the stream. After the last co-host has left, the stream will automatically end after five minutes.

• Using Circle live feature with events

• Invite members to co-host a live stream

• Assign moderators for a live session

• Join a public live stream as a visitor

• Participate in a public live stream as a visitor

• Join a live stream

• Participate in the live stream