top of page

How to Get a TikTok LIVE Stream Key and Set Up OBS (Beginner’s Guide + Best Practices)

  • Writer: Harry
    Harry
  • 17 minutes ago
  • 8 min read

New to TikTok LIVE and want a pro-looking stream without the faff? This beginner-friendly guide walks you from getting a free stream key via vetted Creator Networks to a clean, reliable OBS setup with Aitum Vertical and Aitum Multi—so you can run both vertical (9:16) and landscape (16:9) scenes like a pro.



We’ll install the right plugins, run OBS’s auto-config for sensible hardware-encoder settings, tidy your audio with RNNoise, add engagement-boosting TikFinity alerts and goals, layer in Streamlabs alerts for multistreams, dock chat with Casterlabs or TikFinity, and drop in custom graphics from Fiverr, Canva, or AI.


By the end, you’ll have a locked, repeatable scene stack, testable alerts, backtrack clipping for instant highlights, and a workflow you can reuse every time you go live on TikTok.


At a Glance (Quick Start)


  1. Get a TikTok LIVE stream key via a free Creator Network (agency) → copy Server URL + Stream Key from TikTok LIVE Center / Live Producer.

  2. Install software:

    • OBS Studio

    • Aitum Vertical (vertical canvas, backtrack)

    • Aitum Multi (multi-output incl. TikTok RTMP)

  3. Create a fresh OBS setup: new Scene Collection and Profile → run the Auto-Config Wizard (prefer hardware encoder; 1080p, 60 FPS; ~6000 kbps to start).

  4. Add audio (mic + headphones) and a Noise Suppression filter (RNNoise) to your mic.

  5. Build scenes:

    • Landscape: Full Camera and Computer Display

    • Vertical: link to landscape scenes and arrange camera/display (top third / bottom two-thirds).

  6. Add alerts:

    • TikFinity predefined alerts + a Follow Goal (Browser sources)

    • Streamlabs alerts (for Twitch/YouTube/Kick if multistreaming)

  7. Add graphics (Fiverr/Canva/AI) as Image/Media sources; align and lock.

  8. Dock chat: Casterlabs (multistream) or TikFinity (TikTok-only) via View → Docks → Custom Browser Docks…

  9. Set Aitum Multi output to TikTok (paste Server URL + Stream Key).

  10. Go live: start your primary stream (if any) and then start Aitum Vertical (TikTok). Keep TikFinity (and Casterlabs) open/minimised.


1) Get Your TikTok LIVE Stream Key (Free via Creator Networks)

TikTok grants Producer/RTMP access (stream keys) through Creator Networks (often called agencies). Apply via the network’s Discord or form—free to request.


  • Read: What agencies are and how to apply, plus a vetted list of verified networks and a 12-minute explainer.

  • When approved, go to TikTok LIVE Center → Live Producer to generate your Server URL and Stream Key.

  • Important: TikTok stream keys change each session—copy a fresh key each time you go live.


Resource: Stream Key page ►► https://toktutorials.com/stream-key


2) Install the Right Tools



Install OBS first (defaults are fine). Then install Aitum Vertical and Aitum Multi. We’ll use these to manage vertical and landscape canvases and to send a dedicated output to TikTok.


3) Create a Clean OBS Setup (Profile + Scene Collection)


Best practice #1: keep TikTok settings isolated.


  1. Scene Collection → New… → name it e.g. TikTok LIVE Scenes.

  2. Profile → New… → name it e.g. TikTok LIVE Profile → tick Show Auto-Config Wizard.

  3. Auto-Config:

    • Optimise for streaming

    • Base (Canvas) Resolution: 1920×1080 (we’ll add the 1080×1920 vertical canvas via Aitum)

    • FPS: 60 (30 is fine if your camera/PC prefer it)

    • Encoder: Prefer hardware (NVENC/AMF/Quick Sync)

    • Bitrate: start with 6000 kbps (many platforms allow 9000–10000; 6000 is a safe baseline)

If any plugin panels are missing, use View → Docks and tick:

  • Aitum Multi

  • Vertical Scenes, Vertical Sources, Vertical

  • (And Scene Transitions if you use them)

Arrange your layout to taste and dock panels where you want them.


4) Audio Setup + Clean-Up (Noise Suppression)


Settings → Audio

  • Desktop Audio: pick your headphones/speakers.

  • Mic/Auxiliary: pick your microphone.

In the Audio Mixer, click the ⋯ next to your mic → Filters → + → Noise Suppression → choose RNNoise.This removes PC fans/AC/background hum impressively well. Close and confirm you see mic/desktop levels moving as expected.


5) Build Your Core Scenes (Landscape & Vertical)


Create scenes (bottom-left Scenes):

  • Landscape:

    • Full Camera

    • Computer Display (a.k.a. Gaming/Presenting)

  • Vertical:

    • Full Camera — Vertical

    • Computer Display — Vertical

Link vertical scenes to their landscape versions:Right-click a vertical scene → Linked Scenes… → link it with its landscape counterpart. This lets you manage shared sources efficiently.


Add Sources


Full Camera (landscape)

  1. + → Video Capture Device → name it (e.g. Logitech StreamCam).

  2. Choose your camera. Set Resolution to at least 1920×1080 and FPS to 60/30 to match your scene.

  3. OK, position, then lock the source (🔒) to avoid accidental nudges.


Full Camera — Vertical

  • Vertical Sources → + → Video Capture Device → Add Existing your camera.

  • Position for 9:16. Right-click → Transform → Centre Horizontally is handy. Lock.


Computer Display (landscape)

  1. + → Display Capture (or Game Capture / Window Capture as preferred).

  2. Pick the right monitor, Capture Cursor on if you need it. OK, then lock.


Computer Display — Vertical

  • Add Display Capture again (Add Existing). Arrange classic layout:

    • Top third: camera

    • Bottom two-thirds: display

  • Transform → Centre Horizontally; tweak and lock.

Pro tips Hold Alt while dragging source handles to crop. Use arrow keys for pixel-perfect nudges. Lock anything you’re happy with.

6) Add TikTok Alerts with TikFinity (and a Follower Goal)


TikFinity alerts ►► https://geni.us/tikfinity


TikFinity is my recommended TikTok alerts platform (Windows app recommended; Mac can use the website).

  1. Create a TikFinity account and log in with TikTok.

  2. Go to Actions & Events and click the prompt to Import Predefined Alerts (you’ll get a special URL).

  3. In OBS, add a Browser source where you want alerts to appear:

    • URL: paste the TikFinity alerts URL

    • Start with Width × Height ≈ 600×300 (adjust to taste)

    • Tick Shutdown source when not visible

    • Place and lock the alert box (use Transform → Centre for precision)

    • Repeat for your Computer Display and Vertical scenes (or keep them only where you need)

Test alerts in TikFinity → Simulate Follow/Gift/Like/Sub. Resize the Browser source if needed.


Add a TikFinity Goal Overlay (e.g., Follows)

  • In TikFinity Goal Overlays, copy the goal’s URL (e.g., 10 new followers).

  • Add another Browser source (e.g., TikFinity Follow Goal).

  • Try ~500×120 as a starting size; position (top-left, bottom-right, etc.), and lock.


Links

TikFinity guide ►► https://youtu.be/O1Hjk1Vm9HA


Get weekly tips to improve your live streams. Join my free newsletter.


7) Add Multi-Platform Alerts with Streamlabs (If Multistreaming)


If you’re streaming to Twitch/YouTube/Kick as well, add Streamlabs alerts so those audiences see their own follows/subs, etc.

  1. In Streamlabs Dashboard, copy your Alert Box URL.

  2. In OBS, add a Browser source (name it Streamlabs Alerts), paste the URL, set size, place it so it doesn’t clash with TikFinity alerts, then lock.

  3. Repeat for all scenes that need it.

Streamlabs ►► https://streamlabs.com


8) Brand Your Stream (Graphics via Fiverr, Canva, or AI)

Three easy routes:

  • Fiverr (paid, fastest, most polished): hire an artist for matching landscape and vertical overlays, frames, and stingers.Graphics on Fiverr (Affiliate) ►► https://geni.us/fiverroverlays

  • Canva (free/low-cost): search “overlay” templates and customise colours/fonts.Canva ►► https://canva.com

  • AI (ChatGPT): prompt a 16:9/9:16 webcam border with transparent background. (You can refine iteratively.)


Add to OBS

  • Image (PNG) or Media Source (MP4/WebM) → loop if animated.

  • Layer above your camera; resize to fit; lock when aligned.

  • Use Alt-crop and arrow keys for perfect fit.

  • Repeat for vertical scenes. If your assets are landscape-only, you can “hack” them to work vertically by cropping and resizing—but ordering dedicated vertical assets is cleaner.


9) Put Chat On-Screen and/or Inside OBS


On-screen chat (for viewers)

  • Casterlabs (great for multistream): Widgets & Alerts → + → Interaction Chat → copy the overlay URL → Browser source in OBS.

  • TikFinity (TikTok-only): Overlay Gallery → Chat → copy URL → Browser source in OBS.


Read chat inside OBS (dock)

  • View → Docks → Custom Browser Docks…

  • Casterlabs: add Stream Chat URL; name it; Apply; dock it where you want.

  • TikFinity: OBS Docks page → select what to show (e.g., messages + gifts) → copy dock URL → add as a Custom Browser Dock.


Casterlabs ►► https://casterlabs.co


10) Review Vertical Settings (Aitum Vertical)


Open the Vertical panel’s Settings (⚙︎):

  • Canvas: 1080×1920 (vertical)

  • Streaming: 6000 kbps is fine to start (we’re using main OBS encoder settings)

  • Recording: ~10,000 kbps if you plan to record vertical too

  • Backtrack: set the Backtrack Length (e.g., 60 s) to capture instant clips of your last moments on stream. Configure hotkeys if desired.


11) Configure Aitum Multi for TikTok


We’ll push a dedicated vertical output to TikTok.

  1. In TikTok LIVE Center → Live Producer, fill out the session (title/category) and Save to reveal Server URL + Stream Key. (You’re not live yet—even if the button says “Go Live”.)

  2. In Aitum Multi, click Add Output → choose TikTok → name it (e.g., TikTok Vertical).

  3. Paste Server URL and Stream Key.

  4. Confirm Encoder/Audio are using your main OBS hardware encoder settings.

Note: The TikTok stream key changes every session—you’ll paste a fresh one each time.

If you’re also streaming a primary landscape destination (Twitch/YouTube/Kick), set that in Settings → Stream (or via Aitum Multi as a separate output). If you’re TikTok-only, you can skip the extra landscape output.


12) Go Live (Final Checklist)


  • Audio: meters moving for both Mic and Desktop; RNNoise filter active.

  • Scenes: camera framed; display sized; sources locked.

  • Alerts: TikFinity/Streamlabs in place and tested.

  • Graphics: on top of camera; not covering important HUD/UI.

  • Chat: docked where you need it; on-screen chat placed (if using).

  • Aitum Multi: TikTok output has current Server URL + current Stream Key.

  • Backtrack: set length; hotkeys (optional).

  • Start:

    • Start your primary stream (if any).

    • In Aitum Multi, click Start for TikTok Vertical.

    • Keep TikFinity (and Casterlabs) running/minimised.


Recommended Starting Settings (Copy/Paste)


OBS (Profile: TikTok LIVE Profile)

  • Base (Canvas): 1920×1080

  • Output (Streaming): Hardware encoder (NVENC/AMF/QSV), CBR, 6000 kbps, Keyframe 2, Preset quality-leaning

  • FPS: 60 (use 30 if your cam/PC prefer it)


Aitum Vertical

  • Canvas: 1080×1920

  • Streaming: Use main encoder, 6000 kbps

  • Recording (optional vertical record): 10,000 kbps

  • Backtrack: 60 s (bind hotkey if you like)


Mic Filter

  • Noise Suppression: RNNoise


Troubleshooting & Tips


  • I can’t see the Aitum panels. Go View → Docks and tick Aitum Multi, Vertical, Vertical Scenes, Vertical Sources.

  • Alerts don’t show. Make sure the Browser source URL is correct, the source isn’t hidden, and dimensions are large enough. Use TikFinity’s Simulate buttons.

  • Wrong screen captured. Edit your Display Capture source → select the correct monitor. For games, consider Game Capture.

  • TikTok says “Go Live” but I’m not live?TikTok’s UI reveals Server URL + Stream Key after you set details; you still need to start the output from OBS/Aitum to actually go live.

  • Bitrate confusion.. 6000 kbps is a safe baseline for 1080p. Many platforms support higher (9000–10000). Increase only if your connection/PC can handle it.

  • Stream key expired. Get a fresh key each session from Live Producer and paste it into Aitum Multi.

Resources & Further Learning


FAQ


Do I need to pay to get a TikTok stream key?

No—request it free via a Creator Network (agency). Approval varies; follow their Discord/form instructions.

Can I stream vertical and landscape at the same time?

Yes. Use Aitum Vertical for a 9:16 canvas and Aitum Multi to manage multiple outputs. Many creators record landscape while going live vertically.

What encoder should I use?

Use hardware (NVENC on NVIDIA, AMF on AMD, Quick Sync on Intel) for best performance on most PCs.

Is vertical mandatory on TikTok?

TikTok supports both, but vertical generally performs best within the app.


Final Thoughts

This setup gives you a professional TikTok LIVE workflow, with vertical and landscape scenes, tested alerts and goals, clean audio, docked chat, and a reliable RTMP pipeline via Aitum Multi. As you iterate, refine your graphics, alert layouts, and hotkeys—then clip great moments with Backtrack to feed your Shorts/Reels/TikTok loop. Happy streaming! 🎥✨


Thanks for reading!


Harry


My free newsletter - Hire me on Fiverr - Book a 1-on-1 - Discord - YouTube

bottom of page