Instagram Raises Live Streaming Follower Requirements to 1,000

Instagram has increased its follower requirements for live-streaming, limiting it to creators with 1,000 or more followers. The change aims to make live-streaming more expensive and reduce the risk of using the feature for less than savory purposes. This aligns with other platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, which have similar requirements. However, this may be bad news for smaller creators who rely on IG Live for connecting with their audience.

Instagram has implemented a significant change to its live-streaming policy, requiring users to have at least 1,000 followers to access the feature. This new restriction, effective immediately, is set to impact smaller creators who have been utilizing Instagram Live to connect with their audience [1].

The update comes as part of a broader trend in social media platforms to enhance the quality and security of live-streaming content. Instagram, like TikTok and YouTube, has increased its follower requirements, aligning with similar policies on other platforms. For instance, TikTok mandates 1,000 followers for live-streaming, while YouTube requires at least 50 subscribers, which is roughly equivalent to the follower-to-subscriber ratio on Instagram [2].

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has not provided an official explanation for the change. However, speculation suggests several potential reasons. One theory is that the cost of supporting live-streams with minimal viewers is high, making it less feasible for the platform to fund such activities. Another possibility is to mitigate the risk of using live-streams for inappropriate content, such as creating new accounts to broadcast NSFW material. By increasing the follower threshold, Instagram aims to ensure that only users with an established audience can broadcast, potentially improving the overall quality and perception of live-streams [2].

While this policy shift may enhance the platform's security and quality, it poses challenges for smaller creators who rely on Instagram Live for community engagement and discoverability. Smaller creators may need to invest more time and effort into building their audience before they can broadcast live. This could lead to a more selective user base for live-streaming, potentially impacting the diversity of content available on the platform.

References:
[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/DMf4m6QOi3m/
[2] https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/instagram-increases-follower-requirements-instagram-live-streaming/756403/