Last updated: 2026-01-10

For most screen recording workflows, the simplest path is to use StreamYard overlays and logos so you can drop sponsor visuals in and out live during the recording without extra editing. If you need highly automated, rotating ad creatives and complex widgets, a desktop encoder like OBS with third-party browser-source widgets is the better route.

Summary

• Use live overlays (logos, banners, backgrounds) instead of hard‑editing sponsors into your footage.
• StreamYard’s browser studio lets you upload sponsor assets, control layouts, and record camera + screen in one place on paid plans. (StreamYard)
• OBS with StreamElements or Streamlabs widgets is useful when you need rotating creatives or automated banner cycles. (StreamElements) (Streamlabs)
• Always add clear on‑screen disclosures and follow FTC and platform rules for sponsored content. (FTC) (YouTube)

Why think in “overlays” instead of edited-in ads?

When you’re working in screen recording software, the biggest mistake is treating sponsors like traditional TV ad breaks—hard-editing 15–30 second spots into the timeline.

Overlays are usually a better fit:

• They sit on top of your recording as logos, banners, lower thirds, or backgrounds.
• You can toggle them live while you talk, instead of cutting later.
• You keep the main recording clean and focused on your screen and face.

In StreamYard, you enter a browser studio, share your screen, and add sponsor visuals as overlays and logos while you record, so your final file is already “sponsored” without a heavy edit pass. (StreamYard)

For most creators in the US—especially solo educators, SaaS founders, and trainers—that live overlay workflow is the fastest route from “sponsor brief” to “publishable recording.”

How do I add sponsor visuals in StreamYard while recording?

Here’s a simple overlay-first playbook in StreamYard’s studio:

1. Set up your recording studio

   • Open StreamYard in your browser and create a recording session.
   • Turn on your camera and mic, then share your screen (app window, tab, or full desktop).

2. Upload sponsor assets on a paid plan
   On paid plans, you can upload custom overlays, logos, and backgrounds, then toggle them during your show. (StreamYard)
   Common sponsor assets:

   • Transparent PNG logo for a corner bug.
   • Full‑width banner for “This video is brought to you by…” moments.
   • Branded background for your talking‑head segments.

3. Use layouts that keep the screen clear

   • For walkthroughs, choose a layout with your screen large and your camera smaller.
   • Place the sponsor logo opposite your camera bubble to avoid clutter.

4. Time your sponsor segments in your script

   • Add a short sponsor beat in your outline (e.g., after section 1).
   • When you reach it, bring the overlay on, deliver your talking points, then hide it again.

5. Leverage local multi‑track recording for editing
   StreamYard supports local multi‑track recordings per participant, which makes it easier to adjust sponsor timing or punch in extra b‑roll later without losing quality. (StreamYard)

Because everything runs in the browser and recordings are stored by hours of content instead of per‑user seats, US teams can get shared sponsor‑ready studios without paying per creator like they would in tools that bill per-seat for async screen capture. (StreamYard) (Loom)

How does this compare to OBS-style sponsor integrations?

OBS approaches the problem differently. It’s a desktop encoder with scenes and sources, often paired with browser-source widgets from services like StreamElements or Streamlabs.

A typical OBS sponsorship stack looks like this:

• You sign up with a widget provider that issues an overlay URL.
• In OBS, you add a Browser source and paste that URL, which pulls in a live sponsorship overlay. (StreamElements)
• Widgets like the Streamlabs Sponsor Banner let you upload multiple sponsor images and automatically rotate between them. (Streamlabs)

This is powerful when:

• You have several sponsors rotating each hour.
• You need dynamic widgets (click‑through banners, timers, or complex animations).
• You’re comfortable managing sources, scenes, and local hardware load.

For typical laptop users just trying to record a clean walkthrough with one or two sponsors, that added complexity often doesn’t translate into better results. In those cases, a browser studio with built‑in overlays is usually faster and easier to trust.

Can I use Loom or other async tools for sponsor branding?

Async tools like Loom focus on quick screen + camera recordings and instant shareable links for teammates.

On Loom’s paid Business and Enterprise plans, you can add workspace‑level branding, including your own logo and player customization in place of Loom’s default branding. (Loom)

That works well when:

• You want your company’s logo and colors to appear consistently around the player.
• Sponsors are more like co‑branding partners than traditional “ads.”

It’s less suited to:

• Frequent sponsor changes per video.
• Mid‑video sponsor segments with unique graphics.
• Multi‑participant sponsor reads where you want a live studio feel.

In those scenarios, running your sponsor segments in StreamYard—then sharing or uploading the exported file into whatever platform your audience uses—keeps you closer to a true production workflow while still staying simple.

What about legal and platform rules for sponsored screen recordings?

If you’re recording for audiences in the United States, you need to think about both FTC guidance and platform‑specific rules.

Key guardrails:

• The FTC says that if you’re making an endorsement in a video, the disclosure should appear in the video itself, not only in the description. (FTC)
• YouTube asks creators to let the platform know if a video includes paid promotions by checking the paid promotion box in video details. (YouTube)

Practical steps you can bake into your recording flow:

• On‑screen text: Add a lower third that says “Sponsored by…” when you’re talking about a brand.
• Verbal disclosure: Start the sponsor read with a clear line like “This video is sponsored by…”.
• Consistent placement: Put disclosures early and repeat them where the sponsor appears heavily on‑screen.

Using StreamYard overlays makes this easier because you can pair a verbal disclosure with a clearly labeled graphic every time you mention the sponsor.

When should I choose StreamYard vs OBS + widgets?

Think in terms of outcomes, not tools.

Choose StreamYard if:

• You want a browser‑based studio that runs reliably on a typical laptop without GPU tuning.
• You care about clear presenter‑led recordings, with controllable layouts for screen + camera and branded overlays applied live.
• You need multi‑participant demos, local multi‑track recordings for post‑production, and the ability to reuse the same sponsor assets across multiple shows.
• Your team prefers paying per workspace instead of per creator, so multiple presenters can share the same sponsor‑ready studio. (StreamYard) (Loom)

Lean toward OBS + widgets if:

• You already have a beefy machine and enjoy configuring scenes and encoders.
• You’re integrating with services like StreamElements or Streamlabs to manage rotating sponsors, advanced campaign tracking, or complex overlay animations. (StreamElements) (Streamlabs)
• You’re okay trading simplicity and setup time for extra control.

Many creators record sponsor‑heavy flagship content in StreamYard for reliability and guest friendliness, then keep an OBS profile around for the rare campaign that genuinely needs widget automation.

What we recommend

• Start with a StreamYard overlay workflow: upload sponsor logos and banners on a paid plan, script short sponsor beats, and toggle overlays live while you record.
• Use local multi‑track recording so you can fine‑tune sponsor segments in editing without sacrificing quality. (StreamYard)
• Add clear on‑screen and verbal disclosures to meet FTC and platform expectations whenever a brand is paying or providing value. (FTC)
• Only reach for OBS + widget stacks when you truly need rotating creatives or advanced sponsor automation and are comfortable with a more technical setup.