Instagram no longer allows public accounts to go live if they have less than 1,000 followers. Over the past few days, users have been reporting that their accounts can no longer live stream on the app. “We have changed the requirements for using this feature,” reads the message that appears when users try to organize a live broadcast for their followers. “Only public accounts with 1,000 followers or more will be able to create live videos.” Meta has now confirmed the new eligibility requirement to Engadget.
The company told us that it started implementing the new rule to ensure the best experience for creators who live stream and that it will help improve the overall experience of using the feature. The company did not explain why Instagram would not be able to provide the best experience if users with less than 1,000 followers were also able to livestream.
Meta also told us that the new requirement applies not only to public but also to private accounts. However, the changes have only begun to apply to private accounts, so it’s likely that the message means that for now only public accounts with 1,000 followers or more can live stream. This probably means that Instagram is canceling the ability to livestream for only three close friends, a feature that the platform launched in 2024.
