This guide will show you how to add live reactions to an event, and explain how each setting works in detail.
The video below demonstrates how to enable live reactions.
Create A Video Player Template
- Click the video player template button under the Themes tab on the left hand menu in the StreamShark portal.
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Click the Add button in the Player Templates page.
Add Video Player Template Details
- Enter a name for your template under the Template Name section
- To add reactions to your event, enable Live Stream Reactions in the Reaction Settings section
- Customise the reaction settings to suit your event
The following table below details each setting and a description of what each value means:
| Setting | Value | Description |
|
Reaction Position - Specifies the location that the reactions will be displayed on the video player. |
Left | All reactions will show up starting from the left side of the player to a third of the way in. |
| Randomized | Reactions can appear anywhere on the player | |
| Right | Reactions will appear starting about a third of the way from the right side of the player | |
|
Height When Reactions Disappear - Specifies at which height on the video player reactions will disappear. |
Top | Reactions will start to fade when they reach two-thirds of the way up the player’s screen. |
| Middle | Reactions will start to fade when they reach half of the way up the player’s screen. | |
| Bottom | Reactions will start to fade when they reach about one-third of the way up the player’s screen. | |
|
Hold to Enlarge - Turn on if you wish to give users the ability to hold reactions to enlarge them. |
On | Allows the user to hold down click to gradually increase the size of the reaction, and releasing the click will let the reaction go. |
| Off | Disables the option to gradually increase the size of the reaction; you can only send reactions at the default size. | |
|
Customize Reactions - Set your own custom reactions. |
On | Lets you customize up to 9 reactions to fit your event. Must have at least one reaction |
| Off | Utillizes the default 9 preconfigured reactions | |
|
Customize Throttle Settings - For more information on how throttling works see the Throttle Information section below |
On |
Lets you customize the following reaction throttle settings below:
|
| Off |
The system will automatically apply default throttle settings. For further information on the default throttle settings, please the Default Throttle Settings section below |
|
|
Maximum Density Of Reactions Displayed - The maximum number of a reactions that can be visible on screen at once for an individual viewer
|
High | A preconfigured large number of reactions that can appear on the player simultaneously. Best for high energy streams where you want maximum audience participation visible |
| Medium | A preconfigured balanced number of reactions that can appear on the player simultaneously. Keeps the screen lively without overwhelming it | |
| Low | A preconfigured fewer number of reactions displayed at once. Best for a cleaner, less distracting viewing experience | |
|
User Reaction Limit - Controls how many reactions a single viewer can send within the User Reaction Window period |
Number Input | You can enter any number, this number represents how many reactions each viewer is allowed to send during the set time window. Once the limit is reached, the user must wait a default of 10 seconds before sending more |
|
User Reaction Window - The time frame that the User Reaction Limit applies to. |
1s | Very short window. Best for tightly limiting bursts |
| 10s | Short window. Good for quick interactions without overwhelming the screen | |
| 30s | Balanced window. Lets users participate actively while still pacing reactions | |
| 1m | Medium window. Reactions are spread out, useful for steady participation | |
| 5m | Long window. Great for longer sessions where you want to keep the reactions paced | |
| 10m | Very long window. Best for controlled environments where you want minimal bursts of reactions |
Verify Reaction Settings
- Head to the Manage Events page by clicking on streaming events on the left hand menu in the StreamShark portal
- Click on the event name of an event or create one if you haven't already.
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Click on the settings tab to edit event settings
- In the Player Template field in the General Settings section, select the player template you created
- Broadcast your stream (see here for more details: https://support.streamshark.io/hc/en-us/articles/360002755952-How-to-Create-a-Live-Streaming-Event)
- Once the stream had been broadcasted, ensure your event phase is in "main event". You can change this in the Workflow tab
- Preview your stream by heading to the Overview tab and in opening the preview page link
- Notice within the player control bar there is a smily face icon, this indicates that reactions have been successfully applied to the event
Throttle Information
Throttling is always applied, even if you do not enable Customize Throttle Settings within the video player template.
- When Customize Throttle Settings is turned off, the system uses default values for Reaction Density, User Reaction Limit, and User Reaction Window
- When Customize Throttle Settings is turned on, you can adjust these values to suit your event
If you reach the throttle which occurs if you exceed the User Reaction Limit within the User Reaction Window time period, the following will occur:
- A throttle message will briefly appear on screen to let you know you've hit the limit
- Your reaction options will be greyed out and unavailable to be sent
- Once the greyed out reactions return, then you can start sending reactions again
Default Throttle Settings
Maximum Density Of Reactions Displayed - Medium (30 reactions)
User Reaction Limit - 10 reactions
User Reaction Window - 10 seconds
Throttle Cooldown time - 10 seconds (Amount of time to wait for a user that has been throttled to be able to send reactions again)
Please contact StreamShark support if you wish to adjust any of these default throttle settings
Reaction Analytics
Within the Event overview section, there will be a CMCD Dashboard URL section
Copy this link into a new tab and scroll down to the "Viewer Engagement" section to see reaction analytics
Please note that this dashboard is currently limited to enterprise customers. If you do not see this link, please contact StreamShark support
About Reactions
- There is a limit of 200 reactions on the page at a time, this is to reduce potential clutter on the player.
- There are additional options to hide other people's reaction (Hide reactions from others) or hide your own reactions (Hide my reactions) by clicking on the icon to the right of the smiley face icon.
- You cannot send or receive reactions if the stream is paused or if the stream isn't actively broadcasting