YouTube will now indicate when a channel is broadcasting live by adding a red ring around the profile image and a “Live” label.
The person who announced the feature was the platform's product director, Neal Mohan, who also explained that it will be possible to tap the profile icon that is highlighted, to go directly to Live.
A ring around the channel icon with the word “Live” will indicate the broadcast. By clicking on the avatar, the user will be taken directly to the broadcast, explained YouTube product director Neal Mohan on his Twitter profile. According to him, the focus is “to make it easier for users to find live broadcasts”.
Really focused making it easier for users to find livestreams on @YouTube so we're rolling out the Live rings feature on mobile! @YouTubeCreators streaming live will now have a ring around the channel avatar & clicking on the avatar will take you directly to the livestream. pic.twitter.com/QylUbpktum
— Neal Mohan (@nealmohan) February 18, 2022
The report recalls that TikTok and Instagram already have a similar feature and highlights that this is not the first time that YouTube has launched a TikTok-style tool. Last year, the company launched YouTube Shorts, with short videos.