Hangouts on Air are moving from Google+ to YouTube Live Events

Note: This was originally posted on Google+ on August 15, 2016. A few of the links have been changed to the Internet Archive version or unlinked if no longer available. The image is also updated.

Hangouts on Air was completely shut down on August 1, 2019. 

Hangouts on Air is moving from Google+ to YouTube Live Events

Hangouts On Air will move from Google+ to YouTube Live on September 12, 2016. Events cannot be scheduled on Google+ after that date and you will need to move existing events scheduled to happen after September 12 to YouTube Live.

Learn more about the move in the YouTube Help Center

https://web.archive.org/web/20160821152442/https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/7083786

Set up a Hangout on Air in YouTube Live Events

(Note your already-scheduled HOAs should already be listed in YouTube Live Events - check it out!)

1. Go to Live Streaming Events in Creator Studio. (https://www.youtube.com/my_live_events)
2. Click New live event.
3. Select Quick (using Google Hangouts On Air).
4. Give your live stream a title.
5. Click Go live now or enter in details to schedule your event for later.
6. Launch your Hangout on Air at www.youtube.com/my_live_events and use Hangouts to broadcast live.

More detailed instructions, with screenshots:
http://www.peggyktc.com/2015/11/set-up-HOA-YouTube-Google-Plus.html

HOA Features that will no longer be supported (plus alternatives)

> No Google+ Event Created, no Google Calendar Integration

The Hangout on Air can be scheduled in advance in YouTube Live Events.

You can then manually create a Google+ Event, Google Calendar Event or other Event on your favorite social media platform: https://www.peggyktc.com/2016/08/create-google-event-for-your-hangout-on.html

No regular YouTube Comments on the video watch page

>> Alternative: live chat on the video watch page (note: this will disappear after the broadcast is over)
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2524549

> The Q&A app, Showcase app and Applause apps will no longer be available

>> Hangouts Q&A app Alternatives

* Use the Google Slides Q&A feature: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6386827

* Collect questions before the Event on social media or elsewhere

>> Showcase app Alternatives

* Links in the video description

* YouTube Cards
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6140493
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6162289

YouTube Live Event Features

* no Google+ required

* set the Hangout on Air to be Public, Unlisted or Private
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2853848

* have a public Hangout on Air, but make the archive automatically unlisted
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2853848

* automatically post the video to both Google+, Facebook and Twitter when you go live:
https://web.archive.org/web/20150909171108/https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/3253709

* live chat on the video watch page (note: this will disappear after the broadcast is over)
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2524549

* add YouTube Cards, including for Fan Funding
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6162289

* enable monetization with pre-roll ads
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2853700

How to promote your YouTube live stream

https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2524542

Get help!

You can get help with the Hangouts side of Hangouts on Air in the Hangouts help forum:

productforums.google.com/forum/#!forum/hangouts

You can get help with the YouTube side of Hangouts on Air and other live streaming issues in the YouTube help forum:

productforums.google.com/forum/#!forum/youtube
(update: https://support.google.com/youtube/community)