Do I need OBS to sell on Whatnot?

No. Many sellers go live from a phone. OBS helps when you want scenes, overlays, or a more stable desktop encode—useful, not mandatory.

How long does seller approval take?

It varies by region, category, and application quality. Whatnot sets the process; prepare a clear profile and inventory story, then wait for their decision.

What should I sell first?

A niche you know, with enough units for a 60–90 minute show. Avoid listing your entire warehouse on day one.

How do I know if a live was profitable?

Gross hammer prices are not cash. Net after fees, shipping you absorb, refunds, and cost of goods decides. The CSV plus COGS in WhatCopilot makes that visible.

Is WhatCopilot affiliated with Whatnot?

No. WhatCopilot is an independent third-party analytics tool. Official policies, payouts, and fees always come from Whatnot.

Seller playbook

How to sell on Whatnot

A short path from first account to first profitable lives. Official seller rules stay on Whatnot; WhatCopilot helps you read net revenue and estimated margin after you export the Seller Weekly Orders Report.

Short path
Account to first lives without a 40-page detour.
Fees early
Net before you price the first lot.
CSV after
The ledger is the Seller Weekly Orders Report.
Then WhatCopilot
Margin and Orion once the file is in.

Eight steps to start selling

Follow this sequence. Each step links to deeper resources when you need them.

1
Create your Whatnot account
Install the Whatnot app or open the web experience, create an account, and secure recovery details. Browse a few lives in your niche to learn pacing before you sell.
2
Apply to become a seller
Submit the seller application with a clear category, proof of inventory or prior selling experience, and a profile that looks ready for live. Approval timelines vary—check Whatnot Help for current requirements.
3
List your first inventory
Photograph clean lots, write honest titles, and set starting prices with fees and shipping in mind. Start narrower than your full warehouse so the first shows stay manageable.
4
Prep the live (camera, audio, OBS)
Test framing, light, and sound. Desktop sellers often use OBS for scenes and overlays; mobile works for simple shows. Practice a short run of show before you go live.
5
Plan shipping and fulfillment
Know who pays postage, which labels you will print, and how long you need to ship after the auction. Shipping mistakes erase margin faster than a soft open.
6
Understand fees and net proceeds
Commission and payment processing come off the sale. Use the free fee calculator to estimate net before you set floors, then verify official rates on Whatnot Help.
7
Export the Seller Weekly Orders Report
After shows, download the official CSV from Seller Hub. It is the ledger for order earnings, refunds, and the fields WhatCopilot imports.
8
Import into WhatCopilot
Add your shop, import the CSV, fill cost of goods when you can, and review livestream and product performance. Ask Orion to prep the next run of show from your data.

Need the long version?

This page is the money-path overview. The complete seller guide covers account setup, CSV columns, margin, and Orion in depth.

Open the complete Whatnot seller guide

FAQ · selling on Whatnot

Practical answers for new and returning sellers.

Creating an account is free, but sellers pay commission and payment processing on sales. Shipping and packaging are extra costs. Always check the current fee schedule on Whatnot Help.

Create a WhatCopilot account

Create an account when you are ready to import the CSV. The complete guide stays one click away.

Create a WhatCopilot account Read the complete seller guide

WhatCopilot is an independent third-party tool, not affiliated with Whatnot. Seller eligibility, fees, shipping rules, and payouts are defined by Whatnot. Verify critical steps on Whatnot Help Center.