Instagram now requires 1,000 followers to go live: 5 key things to know
Instagram now requires users to have a public account and at least 1,000 followers to go live. Here's what the change means and why it's sparking backlash.
New rule kicks in for going live Instagram now says you need a public account with at least 1,000 followers to go live — a big shift from the past, when anyone could use the feature. If you don’t meet the requirement, you’ll see a message saying your account is no longer eligible for Live.
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Smaller creators lose access The update is a setback for smaller creators and everyday users — people who used to go live casually with friends or followers will now be blocked. Many feel it’s unfair, especially those still trying to grow their audience — and they’ve voiced frustration online.
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Instagram follows TikTok’s lead This move mirrors what TikTok already does — the app also requires 1,000 followers to go live. In contrast, YouTube is more relaxed — channels there need just 50 subscribers. Instagram is clearly shifting toward stricter access, possibly to raise content quality.
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Meta might be cutting costs Going live isn’t free for platforms — it takes money to host livestreams. By limiting Live to users with bigger audiences, Meta may be trying to cut down on costs from streams that draw very few viewers — making the feature more efficient for the company.
Better viewing experience or just stricter rules? Instagram hasn’t shared an exact reason, but says the change is meant to improve the overall Live experience. The idea may be to keep streams engaging and high-quality — but for many smaller users, it feels more like a door being shut on creativity.
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