What is a Backroom?
A backroom lets clients observe focus groups or interviews without making the respondents feel like they’re on stage. It’s like watching a show from behind the curtains—clients can send feedback or questions discreetly using chits or chat (because it’s 2025). Respondents feel less self-conscious and share more openly.
So, here’s the plan: we’ll set up live streaming from Zoom to a private YouTube link. This way, client observers, researchers, and note-takers can join in stealth mode on a private YouTube link. Let’s get to it!
Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up a YouTube Live Stream
Step 1: Create a YouTube Live Stream
1. Log into YouTube and click on +Create > Go Live.

2. If YouTube throws a questionnaire at you, pick Right Now and Streaming Software.
3. You’ll land on a new page. First things first: change the video’s visibility to Private because no one wants their focus group discussion/interview to go viral! Click Edit > Visibility > Private.

4. Use the Share Privately option to invite your clients, note-takers, and/or researchers. Keep the moderator and respondents out of this party because they will join the Zoom link.
5. Hit save and pat yourself on the back—you’re halfway there!
Step 2: Configure Zoom for Live Streaming
1. Click on the Zoom meeting you want to live stream on your Zoom meetings dashboard
2. Head to the Live Streaming tab and click Configure Custom Streaming. If you don't see the option, navigate to your Zoom Settings > Search for "livestreaming" > Select "Custom Live Streaming Service".

3. Copy the stream URL and key from YouTube into Zoom. For the landing page, throw in any link—I’d use my site, flowres.io. When the live stream starts, it’ll just redirect you there. Nothing fancy, but it works.


4. Start your Zoom meeting and click More > Live on Custom Streaming Service. Give it a few seconds, and voilà! Your live stream is up and running on YouTube.

You’re done! Clients and observers now have their very own virtual backroom.
How flowres Makes Backrooms Even Better
Okay, let’s be real—the YouTube live stream setup is solid, but I’d love for you to give this part your attention. flowres takes things to a whole new level. Here’s why you should give it a shot:
- Still Team Zoom: flowres plays nice with your existing Zoom account. We just sprinkle some backroom magic on top.
- Automated Setups: Schedule meetings through your calendar with flowres assistant email, and we’ll handle the rest—live streaming included. No manual setup, no headaches.
- Link Centralization: All your meeting links in one place. Export them as an Excel sheet and share it with your recruitment partner. Download a sample file here.
- Enhanced Chat Features: Clients can chat with moderators in a private backroom chat, moderators can secretly chat with their team without clients knowing a thing.
- Custom Viewing Options: Need an audio-only link or a stream without backroom chat? Done. Perfect for specific scenarios like medical research.
- Transcription Awesomeness: Automatically get highly accurate transcripts after your meeting. Edit transcripts with search-and-replace, cut clips, and create reels.
- Analysis: Import transcripts for analysis and run AI-powered coding and Q&A. Why not ChatGPT? Because you can go back to the source of data on flowres.
- Stress-Free Setup: Once you connect your Zoom account, flowres does all the heavy lifting. Sit back and relax.
- Compliance-ful: flowres is GDPR, ISO27001, and HIPAA compliant. Translation: your data is safe with us.
I genuinely want to help you make the most of your YouTube live stream setup while you decide if flowres is the right fit for you.
When you’re ready to level up and make life easier, try flowres.io! There is a free trial, it is DIY, and honestly, a no-brainer. Give it a shot—I promise it’ll be worth it.