Streamlabs, a Logitech subsidiary, has gotten the creator economy buzzing with recent strategic partnerships and innovative tools. Streamlabs head Ashray Urs has unveiled two key integrations to reshape the streaming industry: a plugin for OBS Studio and a collaboration with TikTok. 

“Knowing so many streamers use Streamlabs and OBS, we wanted to make the process as easy as possible for them,” Ashray states regarding the OBS Studio collaboration. The plugin allows OBS users to access key Streamlabs features, streamlining the streaming process.

The company has also integrated with TikTok, recognizing the platform’s growing importance in gaming and live streaming. “TikTok is swiftly becoming a significant streaming destination for gamers,” Ashray notes, adding that the integration simplifies the process for creators to live stream on TikTok Live directly through Streamlabs Desktop.

With a background in strategy and innovation at Anheuser-Busch, Ashray now leads the development of streaming and editing software at Streamlabs, a Logitech subsidiary. “We help creators make content for multiple channels and audiences, craft a unique brand, and build communities around their content,” he explains. “We believe in the power of streaming as a force for good in the world.” 

Streamlabs Plugin for OBS Studio: Enhancing the Streaming Experience

Streamlabs has developed a plugin for OBS Studio, addressing key challenges content creators face in the streaming community. Ashray identifies the need for this integration: “We knew there was considerable overlap between Streamlabs and OBS users, but the previous go-live process required lengthy setup and constant configuration on the backend.”

The plugin facilitates the streaming process by allowing OBS Studio users to access essential Streamlabs features directly within their familiar interface. “The aim was to provide an all-in-one solution allowing streamers to directly access the most essential features from Streamlabs in their OBS Studio interface,” Ashray explains.

Key features integrated into the plugin include a library of professionally designed widgets and overlays, real-time updating Stream Labels, and access to Streamlabs’ tipping feature for enhanced monetization. The plugin also introduces the Streamlabs Cloudbot, enabling users to set up giveaways, moderate chats, and host minigames.

Ashray highlights a particularly valuable feature for Streamlabs Ultra subscribers: “The plugin opens access to multistreaming through OBS, allowing streamers to extend their reach and stream to their favorite platforms simultaneously. Cross-platform streaming is becoming a non-negotiable for streamers, with the creator economy growing increasingly competitive.”

The collaboration between the Streamlabs and OBS teams ensured that the plugin would effectively meet user needs. Since its launch, the plugin has received positive feedback, with Ashray noting, “Thousands of people are using it to go live every day.”

Streamlabs and TikTok: Empowering the Next Generation of Content Creators

The Streamlabs-TikTok integration streamlines the go-live process for creators. “It eliminates the need for a stream key,” Ashray explains. “Streamlabs Desktop users can simply connect their accounts, select TikTok as a streaming destination, and go live.” This simplification allows users to manage their TikTok streams from a single interface, integrating seamlessly with other Streamlabs features like Multistreaming and Dual Output.

Dual Output: Enhancing Cross-Platform Visibility

One of the standout features of this integration is Dual Output, which addresses the growing need for multi-platform streaming. “If streamers want to grow, they can’t stick to just one platform anymore,” Ashray notes. “Simultaneous multistreaming is the future, requiring streamers to have the optimal specs for every audience they’re broadcasting to.”

Dual Output enables creators to simultaneously stream in both horizontal and vertical resolutions, catering to diverse platform requirements. This feature is particularly valuable for TikTok, which has popularized the vertical video format. “As TikTok continues to expand as a force in the gaming and streaming communities, we’ll continue to develop and improve upon features like Dual Output that enhance the quality of users’ streams while improving their discoverability across platforms,” Ashray states.

Community Response and Growth Metrics

The integration has been well-received by the streaming community. “Since our integration with TikTok, the community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Ashray reports. “Streamers have praised the feature for making their streams more versatile and appealing to a broader audience.”

While specific metrics weren’t disclosed, Ashray indicates a notable increase in views and interactions on streams utilizing the new features. This success is attributed to TikTok users’ appreciation for visually appealing and unique content, which Dual Output facilitates by allowing customization in both horizontal and vertical formats.

Future Developments and Advice for Streamers

While Ashray remained tight-lipped about future developments, he noted Streamlabs’ commitment to ongoing innovation. “We are constantly listening to feedback from our community and working to implement new features that allow greater audience engagement and customization options for streamers,” he says.

For streamers looking to maximize their use of Streamlabs tools, Ashray offers valuable advice:

1. Customize your stream: “The look and feel of your stream is as much a part of your creative voice as the content you’re creating,” Ashray advises. He encourages users to explore Streamlabs’ extensive library of widgets, overlays, and alerts to develop a unique brand.
2. Repurpose content: Ashray recommends using tools like CrossClip to adapt content for different platforms, expanding reach and catering to diverse audiences.
3. Avoid burnout: “Creator burnout is real, and it can hit fast, especially for newer streamers,” Ashray cautions. He emphasizes the importance of setting a sustainable schedule and building in time for content development.

Streamlabs sees its role in the creator economy as facilitating a future with multiple platforms, devices, and industries. “We’re building the ecosystem for streamers of all niches and skill levels to prepare for that future because it’s happening now,” Ashray explains.

The company focuses on expanding partnerships and improving localization to serve its global audience better. Ashray highlights discoverability and diversity: “By improving the discoverability of smaller and more diverse creators, we’re helping more and more users realize their goals and helping to break down barriers to success.”