Connect to LinkedIn Live as a Custom RTMP

While we recommend using our direct integration for most cases, there are times when you need to connect to LinkedIn manually, especially when streaming to a LinkedIn Live Event. This guide will show you how to use the Custom RTMP feature in Switchboard to connect to LinkedIn. This method is the perfect solution if you've been invited as a speaker to an event or need to stream to a destination without direct authorization.

Last updated About 24 hours ago

Important Prerequisite: Account Approval. Before you begin, your account (or the partner account hosting the event) must meet LinkedIn's criteria for live streaming. You can verify your live streaming access by clicking here: LinkedIn Live Broadcaster Access.

NOTE: You must be approved by LinkedIn before going live to your LinkedIn individual or company page. Use this link to Apply to Become a LinkedIn Live Broadcaster

LinkedIn Live New Update: 2026:

👉 According to LinkedIn: “We’re evolving LinkedIn Live to make it simpler, more discoverable, and more impactful for our members. Starting June 22, 2026, all live events must be scheduled in advance. While the ability to go live spontaneously will no longer be available, you can still go live on short notice by scheduling your event just minutes in advance.” Read their announcement here: LinkedIn Live New Update 2026

We’ll show you how to schedule a LinkedIn Live “Go Live Now” and how to “Schedule for later”. You can also add your LinkedIn Live Destination to your Switchboard Account using the API method, meaning you’d add LinkedIn via an email password, not with custom RTMP information. This is easy to do. Follow this resource to see how. How to go live on LinkedIn from your Switchoard account.

Phase 1: Set up the LinkedIn Live Stream (Inside LinkedIn)

Schedule Now

For this process, we recommend opening two browser tabs: one for LinkedIn and one for Switchboard Live.

  1. Log in to LinkedIn and open the Custom Stream page using this direct link: https://www.linkedin.com/video/golive/now/

  2. Choose the LinkedIn profile or Company Page you will be streaming to.

  3. Fill out the event details, including the stream title, description, and thumbnail.

  4. Choose the server region closest to your physical location from the drop-down menu, then click the Get URL button.

👉 CRUCIAL TIMING NOTE FOR STREAM KEYS:

If you select “Schedule for Later” for a LinkedIn Live Event, the Stream URL and Stream Key will NOT be accessible until exactly 1 hour before the event starts.

  • Do not panic if you don’t have access to the Sever URL and Stream Key in LinkedIn!

  • Simply create the event, then come back to this LinkedIn page within 60 minutes of your start time to grab your RTMP information for Phase 2.

Generate the Streaming information in LinkedIn.

  1. About 1 hour before going live, open LinkedIn and find the post for that scheduled event.

  2. Click the event post where it shows “Live today.”

  3. In the event window, look for “Your stream key is now available.” Then click Setup.

  4. In the list of LinkedIn live events, click Prepare to go live.

  5. On LinkedIn, choose the region closest to the encoder/streaming software that will send the stream. If someone else is running the live stream using their software, be sure to choose the region nearest them.

  6. Click Get URL. LinkedIn will generate the Stream URL and Stream key.

Phase 2: Add LinkedIn to Switchboard (Inside Switchboard)

Once you are within 1 hour of your event and your Stream URL and Stream Key have populated in LinkedIn, it’s time to connect the two platforms.

  1. Log in to your Switchboard Account

  2. Navigate to your Workflow page and find your desired Stream Group.

  3. Click Add Destination > Connect More > Custom RTMP.

  4. Copy the Stream URL from LinkedIn and paste it into the RTMP/RTMPS Address field in Switchboard.

  5. Copy the Stream Key from LinkedIn and paste it into the Stream Key field in Switchboard.

  6. Give the Destination a clear, recognizable name. (Pro Tip: Name it after the specific LinkedIn event, like "Mayor's Office Town Hall - LinkedIn").

  7. Click Save. Your Custom RTMP Destination is now connected to your workflow!

Phase 3: The "Go Live" Sequence

Because you are using a Custom RTMP, going live requires a two-step process. You must start the video in Switchboard first, and then push it live inside LinkedIn.

Start sending the live video feed from your live-streaming software (ZOOM, OBS, vMix, etc.) to Switchboard.

In Switchboard:

Once you see your video playing in the preview monitor, press the green Start button next to your new LinkedIn Live Custom RTMP Destination. (Pro Tip: You can skip this click by enabling Switchboard's Auto-Start feature. Enable the autostart feature.

In LinkedIn:

Switch back to your LinkedIn Live setup tab. Within a few seconds, your Switchboard video feed will appear on the LinkedIn preview monitor.

Click the blue Go Live button located at the top right of the LinkedIn screen.

Congratulations! You are now successfully broadcasting to LinkedIn via Custom RTMP.

LinkedIn Live recommended video specifications:

These are the recommended settings for your encoder.

Resolution: 1280 x 720

Keyframe: 30 fps

Key interval: 2 seconds ( 60 frames)

Video bitrate: 3.5 Mbps

Audio bitrate: 128 kbps

Audio sample: 48 kHz

Encoding: H264 video. AAc audio

FAQ

Q: I scheduled my LinkedIn event for tomorrow, but I don't see a Stream Key. Where is it?

A: LinkedIn hides the Custom RTMP Stream Key until exactly 60 minutes before your scheduled start time. Simply return to the LinkedIn Live setup page within that 1-hour window, and your Stream URL and Stream Key will automatically populate for you to copy.

Q: Switchboard says it is streaming, but LinkedIn is still waiting for the video. What's wrong?

A: This is almost always caused by incorrect encoder settings. LinkedIn will block the video feed if it does not meet its strict parameters. Check your production software (OBS, vMix, etc.) and ensure your Keyframe Interval is exactly 2 seconds and your resolution is 720p.

Q: Do I have to press "Go Live" in both Switchboard and LinkedIn?

A: Yes. When using a Custom RTMP connection, Switchboard's "Start" button securely delivers the video to LinkedIn's private preview monitor. You must then press "Go Live" directly in the LinkedIn dashboard to broadcast to your public audience.

Additional Resources:

LinkedIn Live resources:

Bonus Information