Instagram is no longer allowing public accounts to go live if they have less than 1,000 followers. Users have been reporting over the past few days that their accounts aren't eligible for Live broadcast on the app anymore. "We changed the requirements to use this feature," reads the notice that pops up when people try to host a livestream broadcast to their followers. "Only public accounts with 1,000 followers or more will be able to create live videos." Now Meta has confirmed the new eligibility requirement to Engadget.
The company told us that it started implementing the new rule in order to ensure that it's providing the best experience for creators that host Live broadcasts and that it's driving improvements in the feature's overall usage experience. It didn't clarify why Instagram won't be able to provide the best experience if users with below 1,000 followers can livestream, as well.
Meta also told us that the new requirement applies not just to public, but also to private accounts. However, the change has only started rolling out to private accounts, which is likely why its notice states that only public accounts with 1,000 followers or more can go Live for now. That likely means Instagram is killing the ability to do livestreams for up to three close friends only, which was a feature the platform launched in 2024.
It's not that. It's complicated though...
Facebook makes deals with media companies to promote "stars." They have an interest in the bigger stars becoming popular. But if ole Robot streams to 20 people, that's 20 people that could be watching these sponsored streams instead.
Facebook, for the most part, controls how many followers you have as well. For example, if they don't show your stuff in people's feeds, you will lose followers slowly as they think "who is this person?" Giving you followers is a little more straightforward.
It's important to realize these sites aren't just "social media" but rigged carnival games designed to make a profit through influencing and product placement.
I think the general assumption is that this is actually IG's way of preventing random/regular people from livestreaming things like ICE raids and shit.
It's crazy to look back at the old Instragram with its feed. Just photos from the accounts you follow all lined up in chronological order. Nothing else.It was really good back then. I don't know what it's turned into now, but I want no part of it.
You could get to the end and and there would be nothing more to see. Fun times.
You'd think this would just reduce their engagement but...It's ok to reduce engagement as long as the engagement is redirected to things that make more money
Its probably a good thing.Putting up a huge barrier like this is not because of the children or weirdo grifters. It never is
It keeps young kids from streaming who knows what.
Banned people wont be able to stream.
Weirdos who just want to grift cant suddenly set up shop and immediately go online.