Instagram Introduces New Live Broadcast Restrictions for Small Accounts

Instagram has introduced a new rule restricting Live broadcasts to public accounts with over 1,000 followers. Private accounts and accounts with fewer than 1,000 followers are no longer eligible for Live. The move is designed to improve the Live consumption experience, but may be financially motivated due to the expense of hosting livestreams.

Instagram has introduced a significant change to its live streaming feature, now requiring users to have at least 1,000 followers on a public account to go live. This update, effective as of this week, excludes private accounts and those with fewer than 1,000 followers, marking a departure from the platform's previous open-access policy [1].

The rationale behind this restriction is multifaceted. Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Instagram, aims to enhance content quality and safety by limiting live access to users with established audiences. This move aligns with broader trends in social media platforms, where similar thresholds have been implemented to curb misinformation, spam, and irrelevant broadcasts [2].

The financial implications of this change are notable. Hosting live streams is resource-intensive, and Meta may be seeking to optimize costs by concentrating live content among users who can attract larger audiences. This shift could potentially boost ad revenue by drawing more sponsors and larger viewership to live broadcasts. However, it may also drive smaller creators and regular users to other platforms like Twitch or BeReal for unrestricted live streaming options [1].

The impact on emerging creators is a point of contention. The 1,000-follower threshold could slow organic growth for smaller accounts, as live streaming has been a key discovery tool. While private accounts remain eligible, public visibility is crucial for building momentum, leading to frustration among users who feel the change favors established voices [1].

Meta's pivot toward a more curated ecosystem is evident in other recent updates, such as changes to direct messaging and blocking features in regions like India, which may have been influenced by regulatory pressures on content moderation [1].

Looking ahead, the success of this policy will be measured by engagement metrics and user feedback. While Meta has not released official statements on exemptions or phased rollouts, whispers of future adjustments suggest a potential lowering of the threshold for verified accounts [1].

For affected users, focusing on high-quality content and collaborations to gain followers organically is advised. Businesses using live for sales might pivot to scheduled events or partner with larger accounts. The update signals Meta's bet on quality over quantity, potentially reshaping how social media values influence in the coming years [1].

References:
[1] https://www.webpronews.com/instagram-requires-1000-followers-for-live-streaming-access/
[2] https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/01/instagram-now-requires-users-to-have-at-least-1000-followers-to-go-live/