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Instagram has quietly changed the rules for its Live streaming feature: As of early August 2025, only public accounts with at least one-thousand followers can initiate a Live broadcast. Accounts falling below that follower threshold or set to private will no longer see the option—an on‑screen message states: “Only public accounts with 1,000 followers or more will be able to create live videos.”
Previously, the Live function was accessible to all users regardless of follower count or account visibility. This update brings Instagram more in line with platforms like TikTok, which also mandates a one-thousand‑follower minimum. In contrast, YouTube allows users with just fifty subscribers to go live, highlighting how Instagram’s new bar may shut out many emerging creators.
Meta has not issued an official rationale, but industry coverage suggests the move aims to elevate overall content quality while reducing the cost and bandwidth required for livestream infrastructure. A more experienced, professional creator base could also increase monetisation opportunities and viewer engagement. The reaction from smaller creators and casual users has been swift and critical. Many had relied on Live for genuine, personal, and community‑driven experiences—and now feel disproportionately excluded. Critics argue that the change favors influencers with established followings, making it harder for newcomers to grow organically.
In practical terms, users with fewer than one-thousand followers will find the Go Live button removed entirely—and if their account is private, Live is off limits regardless of follower count. Instagram hosts some two billion users, and analysts estimate this restriction affects over 1.7 billion of them—a massive segment of the platform. As a result, smaller creators may now choose to invest in follower growth quickly (also leading to concerns about follower-buying scams), explore alternative live platforms, or double down on other content formats entirely.
