How many followers do you need to go live on Instagram?
Instagram has introduced a new threshold that users need to meet before they can live stream.
Instagram’s new live stream rules
Instagram has quietly changed its follower requirements for live streams. Users now need at least 1,000 followers and a public account to go live on the platform.
Previously, anyone could go live, no matter their follower count or privacy settings. This has all changed. If you don’t meet the new criteria, you’ll see a message that says: “Only public accounts with 1,000 followers or more will be able to create live videos.”
So if you’re a smaller creator or keep your profile private, you’re now unable to go live.
Why did Instagram make the changes?
Instagram didn’t give creators any advance notice, and they haven’t fully explained the move. That said, a Meta spokesperson told TechCrunch that the “move is designed to improve the overall Live consumption experience.”
What does that actually mean in real terms? It could be a few things:
- Better quality live streams: The idea is that users with an established audience might produce better streams
- Spam and scam prevention: Raising the threshold could block spam accounts from going live before redirecting followers to scam websites.
- Cutting costs: Live streaming infrastructure is expensive, and Meta might want to cut the costs associated with low viewership streams.
This shift also brings Instagram in line with rivals. TikTok also requires 1,000 followers for live streaming, while YouTube requires 50 subscribers.
A downside for creators
One of the bigger problems was the lack of proper warning. Many creators woke up to find they could no longer live stream, without any time to prepare.
If you’re a smaller artist or independent musician, that hurts. Live streaming is often a go-to way to share updates, connect with fans in real time, or promote new releases casually. Now, that option is off the table unless you pass the threshold.
Private accounts can’t go live at all, meaning that these users can no longer chat with their followers for fun.
So, if you’re just getting started and trying to grow your audience, Instagram just made that journey harder.
How many people are affected?
A huge chunk of Instagram’s user base is impacted. According to estimates shared by 9to5Mac, between 74% and 87% of users may no longer be eligible to live stream. That’s around 1.7 billion people of Instagram’s 2 billion users.
As a result, users have taken to social media to criticise smaller users who previously enjoyed using Instagram Live.
Final thoughts
Of course, Instagram’s new rules are a big blow to smaller creators. If you’re under the 1,000 follower mark, you’ll need to grow your audience before you can go live again
While this may help Instagram reduce spam and improve the quality of live streams, it also limits access to one of the most direct ways to engage with fans.
Unless Instagram rethinks the rule, live streaming just got harder for creators who are still building their audience.