To start a Steam broadcast, open Steam > Settings > Broadcast, choose who can watch, then play any game: the broadcast starts automatically when someone opens your stream. There’s nothing to install and no stream key, which makes it the simplest way to share PC gameplay.
Turning on Steam Broadcasting
- In the Steam app on your PC, open Steam > Settings and go to the Broadcast (Broadcasting) section.
- Change the privacy setting from Broadcasting disabled to one of the viewer options (below).
- Pick the video size and bitrate. 720p is a sensible start on a typical home connection.
- Optionally include your microphone, so viewers hear you talk.
- Launch a game. When a viewer joins, a broadcast icon appears in the corner of your screen. Press Shift+Tab for the Steam overlay to see viewers and chat.
The broadcast ends when you close the game. Your account needs at least one Steam purchase (not a limited account) and must be in good standing.
Privacy settings: who can watch
| Setting | Who sees your stream |
|---|---|
| Friends can request to watch | Friends ask; you approve each one |
| Friends can watch | Any Steam friend can open it from their friends list |
| Anyone can watch | Public; your stream can appear on the game’s page in Steam |
Friends watch by right-clicking your name in their friends list and choosing Watch game. Steam only streams the game window, not your desktop or other apps, but still close anything private before you go public.
Upload speed
Broadcasting uses your upload speed, which on many Kenyan home plans is lower than download. As a rough guide:
- 720p: about 3 to 5 Mbps upload spare.
- 1080p: about 5 to 8 Mbps.
Run a speed test while nobody else is streaming at home. Avoid broadcasting on mobile data or a hotspot bundle: an hour of 720p video can use well over 1 GB.
Steam broadcast vs YouTube
| Steam Broadcasting | YouTube | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Built in, minutes | Needs OBS or similar, plus a channel |
| Audience | Your friends, or people browsing that game on Steam | Anyone, searchable, saved as videos |
| Control | Basic (size, bitrate, mic) | Full: overlays, webcam, scenes |
| Earning money | No | Possible once you qualify |
Use Steam to show friends a game quickly; use YouTube to build an audience. For that route, see how to start streaming with OBS and how to stream games on YouTube. Streaming can also open doors in the local scene; see esports in Kenya.
Quick answers
Go to Steam > Settings > Broadcast, change “Broadcasting disabled” to a viewer option, then launch a game. The stream starts when someone watches.
It depends on your setting: friends you approve, all your friends, or anyone on Steam.
It’s easier, but YouTube reaches far more people, saves your streams and lets you earn. Steam suits casual sharing with friends.
