LinkedIn Live is a feature on the LinkedIn platform that allows users to broadcast video livestreams to their connections and followers. While Live videos can be a great way to engage your audience in real-time, many users wonder if there is a way to download the videos after they air so they can repurpose the content.
Can you download LinkedIn Live videos?
The short answer is no, there is currently no way to download the full LinkedIn Live video after it airs through the LinkedIn platform. LinkedIn does not provide viewers with a download option or allow third-party tools to integrate downloading capabilities.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to save LinkedIn Live videos. There are a few workaround options that allow you to screen record or use third-party software to capture the video while it streams or shortly after.
Workarounds to download LinkedIn Live video
Here are a few possible workarounds to download or capture LinkedIn Live video content:
Screen recording software
One of the easiest options is to use screen recording software to capture the LinkedIn Live video as it streams on your desktop. Software like OBS Studio, Screencast-O-Matic, Camtasia, or Quicktime for Mac allow you to record any activity on your screen.
Simply start the screen recorder, launch the LinkedIn Live video, and stop the recording when it ends. You’ll then have a video file saved of the stream that you can edit or repost as you see fit.
Browser extensions
There are various browser extensions and plugins that allow you to record video and audio playing in your browser. Examples include Nimbus Capture, Loom, and Screencastify for Chrome. These tools may be able to capture LinkedIn Live video with or without overlay graphics.
LinkedIn API
LinkedIn does have an API that theoretically could allow you to access LinkedIn Live video content programmatically. However, at this time the API does not expose an endpoint for downloading broadcast video.
LinkedIn Live to LinkedIn video
LinkedIn does allow users to repurpose Live videos as native LinkedIn videos. After your broadcast ends, you’ll have the option to “Save as video” which will publish it as a new Video on your LinkedIn profile. You can then download this uploaded video using online tools.
The limitation is that you have to wait for LinkedIn to process and publish the video, so there’s a delay between the live broadcast and when the downloadable version is available.
Reasons LinkedIn Live video can’t be downloaded directly
There are a few reasons why LinkedIn likely chooses not to allow users to download Live videos directly from the platform:
- Copyright and distribution control – Downloads could allow content to spread outside of LinkedIn without permission.
- Technical limitations – Storing and serving downloadable versions of videos takes considerable storage and bandwidth.
- Engagement tactics – Keeping videos exclusive to the live broadcast encourages viewers to tune in live.
Best practices for downloading LinkedIn Live videos
If you want to download your LinkedIn Live broadcast, here are some best practices:
- Use screen recording software for real-time capture as the video streams.
- Repurpose your video as a LinkedIn Video post broadcast and download the repurposed video.
- Consider editing overlays or graphics into the downloaded version to enhance quality.
- Review LinkedIn’s user agreement and respect copyrights for any content you download.
- Use downloads only for your own review or to repurpose content for your audience.
Benefits of downloading LinkedIn Live videos
There are a number of potential benefits for downloading your LinkedIn Live videos:
- Repurpose or reuse content – Turn a live discussion into multiple social posts or a blog article.
- Enhance production – Download to edit footage or overlay graphics and titles.
- Review and improve – Analyze broadcast performance and engagement.
- Expand reach – Share on additional platforms beyond LinkedIn.
- Preserve content – Maintain a copy in case the original is lost or deleted.
Risks and downsides to downloading
While downloading LinkedIn Live videos can be useful, there are also some risks and downsides to keep in mind:
- Copyright issues – Redistributing content without permission could violate rights.
- Exclusivity loss – Downloads may disincentivize live participation if viewers can see it later.
- Poor quality – Downloaded versions may lack the streaming quality of the original.
- Time consumption – Recording and editing downloaded footage takes effort.
- Limited metadata – Downloads may lose viewing analytics, comments, and engagement data.
Frequently asked questions
Can I download other users’ LinkedIn Live videos?
No, there is no sanctioned way to download other users’ LinkedIn Live videos. Doing so likely violates LinkedIn’s user agreement unless you get explicit permission from the publisher.
Does LinkedIn delete Live videos?
Yes, LinkedIn automatically deletes Live video content after a certain period of time, usually around 3 months. This is another reason downloading may be desirable for archival purposes.
Can I edit and re-upload LinkedIn Live video?
Generally, you can download, edit, and re-upload your own LinkedIn Live videos as long as it does not violate copyrights or terms of use. However, you cannot re-upload other users’ LinkedIn Live videos.
Is screen recording LinkedIn Live legal?
In most cases, screen recording your own LinkedIn Live streams for personal use should be legal and not violate user agreements. However, redistributing or adapting other users’ content without permission may infringe copyrights.
Conclusion
While LinkedIn currently limits options for downloading Live video, there are workarounds that allow capturing your own streams through screen recording or repurposing as VOD. This can help expand your reach and strategy. However, always be mindful of copyright and exclusivity concerns when downloading any content you do not own.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Repurpose content | Copyright issues |
Enhance production | Loss of exclusivity |
Review and analyze | Poor video quality |
Expand reach | Time consuming |
Preserve content | Limited metadata |
With creative workarounds, you can record and repurpose LinkedIn Live video streams even though LinkedIn doesn’t directly allow downloads. Just be sure to follow best practices and respect content ownership. Reach out to your audience both live and on-demand using downloaded videos.