TLDRs:
- Instagram now blocks public accounts with under 1,000 followers from going Live.
- Meta cites user experience as the reason for tightening Live access.
- Private accounts will also face the rule as the rollout expands.
- The move follows broader trends in platform control, similar to TikTok’s content checks.
Instagram is making significant changes to who can access its Live broadcast feature. As of this week, public accounts with fewer than 1,000 followers can no longer go live on the platform.
Users attempting to start a livestream now receive a message stating, “Only public accounts with 1,000 followers or more will be able to create live videos.” Meta, Instagram’s parent company, has confirmed the update.
The rule has sparked widespread discussion among small creators and influencers, many of whom rely on live videos to build their audiences. Meta claims the move is aimed at improving the overall livestreaming experience on the app but has not detailed exactly how limiting access contributes to that goal.
Meta Says It’s About “Creator Experience”
According to Meta, the new follower requirement ensures a “better experience” for creators and viewers. While the company didn’t elaborate on how excluding smaller accounts enhances livestreaming quality, it emphasized this change is meant to “drive improvements” in how Live broadcasts perform.
This eligibility policy shift marks another point in Instagram’s evolving strategy of prioritizing larger accounts. Smaller creators now face more barriers in using tools previously available to everyone, sparking criticism that the platform is becoming less inclusive.
Private Accounts Also Targeted
Although the change currently targets only public accounts, Meta has confirmed it will extend the requirement to private accounts as well. For now, the rollout is still in progress, so private users may not see restrictions yet, but they should expect them soon.
The update also indirectly ends the platform’s 2024 feature allowing private users to livestream to up to three close friends. That function, once promoted as a privacy-first option for more intimate interaction, appears to be on its way out.
Industry-Wide Trend Toward Controlled Reach
Instagram’s new policy aligns with a broader trend among major platforms to control how users broadcast and engage. Just this week, TikTok introduced a “Content Check” feature to alert creators if their videos are eligible for the coveted “For You” page. It even provides recommendations for content that doesn’t meet internal guidelines.
Both platforms appear to be tightening control over visibility, access, and creator tools, especially for those who haven’t yet built a large following. While this may improve content quality in the short term, it also raises concerns about shrinking access for emerging voices in the digital space.
As Instagram phases in these restrictions, creators under the 1,000-follower mark will need to find alternative ways to engage their audiences or hit the growth threshold first.
