Facebook is BANNING DJ Live Streams!
If you’ve spent any time live streaming your DJ sets, you already know just how hard it is to keep your stream, well, LIVE, on Facebook. The bad news? It’s about to get a whole lot worse.
That’s because as of October 1st, Facebook is introducing some hefty new guidelines regarding how you use their services. Unfortunately, that means they’re coming down hard on DJs! You can even expect some harsh penalties for breaking the new rules!
Essentially, unless you’re a major artist, brand, or company who’s done some exclusive deals with Facebook. You’re going to run into some difficulties trying to post ANY music-centric content on Facebook-owned platforms, including Instagram.
The New Guidelines
You can find the exact new guidelines on music here. But Facebook have introduced a number of specific music guidelines that state:
“You may not use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience. If you use videos on our Products to create a music listening experience for yourself or for others, your videos will be blocked and your page, profile or group may be deleted. This includes Live.”
The message is clear, Facebook and its products are for sharing with family and friends, not for sharing music. Unless, you happen to be, well, big enough in the music industry to be considered an exemption. It’s important to note that Facebook Products also includes Instagram and a number of other platforms owned by the company. You can find the full list here.
So it looks like whether you’re trying to live stream a set to your fans, or simply upload your new release as a “video”, Facebook isn’t going to tolerate it. You risk your account, pages, or groups getting blocked, banned, and even deleted. Maybe even if it’s entirely your own original music!
I guess time will soon tell just exactly how hard these new guidelines are going to be enforced, but its looking like the end of an era for streams on Facebook & Instagram.
You’d have to think Facebook would want to keep you on their platforms as much as possible. So it’s an interesting decision to clamp down so hard that would have had to have some legal influence behind it.
Live Streaming Alternatives
So what exactly are you supposed to do if you’re a live streaming DJ who usually streams through Facebook or Instagram?
Luckily for you, there are still a few different ways you can get around the complications of live streaming. For one, if you want to do it completely legally, the most obvious is Mixcloud Live. They not too long ago released a no strings attached live streaming section especially for DJs.
The downsides, it’s going to be that little bit harder to get your audience over there, and you will have to pay a subscription. However, there’s no risk of your stream getting pulled from the air.
There’s also Twitch and YouTube. These services both tend to be a lot more lenient than Facebook and Instagram ever was, but there is still the risk of your streams getting pulled down, or worse.
You might want to read one of our previous articles that goes more in-depth about getting around these copyright issues! Or, watch our video below if you want to know how you can get started with streaming!
The Final Say
If you’re a DJ, this news is probably incredibly frustrating. Especially during an era where it’s more common to live stream a show than play in front of a crowd.
Somehow, the laws of playing music are yet to catch up with the technology and times we are living in. Especially given that so many DJ’s and Clubs are out of work and would even happily pay for the privilege to stream on these platforms.
But unfortunately, that’s just the way it is, and it looks like we’ll have to hold our breath for some significant copyright law changes before we see these live streaming difficulties ease. Which might never come!
KEEP READING: 10 Mistakes to Avoid During Your Next Live Stream DJ Set
