How to set up streaming for video and audio files

Streaming lets customers watch or listen to a file in their browser instead of downloading it. It suits video lessons, courses and audio that you'd rather not hand out as a file.

Available on the Plus plan (see Plans and billing).

Which files can stream

You can stream MP3 and WAV audio files and MP4 video files. These files have a card on their page for choosing how they're delivered. Other files are always delivered as downloads.

Step 1: Upload the file and connect it to a product

Upload the video or audio file in Files and connect it to its product, as you would any other file. See Uploading and connecting files to products.

Step 2: Set the file to Stream

1. In ABC, go to Files and click the file.
2. On the card Select how this file should be delivered to customers, choose Stream.

ABC saves the change straight away. To go back to downloads, choose Download.

Streaming makes a file harder to save, but it can't make it impossible. As the card puts it: "We've put protections in place to prevent downloads, but please be aware there's still a chance someone could save your file while it's being streamed."

What customers see

• The file is listed in the Files block on the Thank you and Order status pages, like any other file.
• Clicking it opens a player in a new tab, on your store's own domain. The player has play, volume and full-screen controls, and no download option. Right-click and picture-in-picture are turned off in the player.
• Streaming doesn't count as downloading, so it doesn't use up the customer's download limit. The order's Downloaded count only includes downloads.

Step 3: Test it

Place a test order for the product and open the file from the Thank you page. See How to test the customer experience for a digital product.

Customers get the player only while your store is on the Plus plan.