Meta has announced that only users with a public account and at least 1,000 followers can now access Instagram Live. The rule takes effect immediately, and anyone with fewer followers or a private account will be blocked from broadcasting.
Previously, Instagram had allowed all users access to Live regardless of follower count or account type.
🚫 Who Is Affected and What Happens
- Users who try to go live without meeting the new requirements will receive a revision notice stating:
“Your account is no longer eligible for Live. Only public accounts with 1,000 followers or more will be able to create live videos.” - The change impacts both small-scale content creators and casual users who previously used the feature to connect with friends and followers.
🔎 Why Instagram Made the Change
| Reason | Potential Benefit |
|---|---|
| Costly real-time streaming | Reduces Meta’s resource load from low-view streams |
| Quality control | Prioritizes users with established audiences |
| Alignment with competitors | Matches TikTok’s 1,000-follower rule |
Meta has not publicly confirmed its reasoning, but reports suggest the move is aimed at enhancing live stream quality, reducing spam or misuse, and lowering operational costs associated with supporting streams with few viewers.
📉 Short-Term Impact on Creators
- Only an estimated 13% to 26% of users have 1,000+ followers, meaning a significant portion are now shut out from using Live.
- Smaller creators may pivot to video calls or other platforms like WhatsApp, Twitch, or YouTube (which allows live at just 50 subs) to stay connected and visible.
⏳ Final Thought
Instagram’s new policy requiring a public account and at least 1,000 followers to go live marks a major shift—closed off access once open to all. While positioned as a quality control measure, the change raises questions about equity and discoverability for emerging creators.
