Instagram introduces new rules for going live: Public account and 1,000 followers now required
Instagram has introduced a new policy regarding the use of its Live feature, placing new restrictions that limit who can go live on the platform. Under the updated rules, users must now have a public account—one that is visible to anyone, even non-followers—and be followed by at least 1,000 people in order to access the Live function.
Previously, Instagram allowed all users to go Live, regardless of the number of followers they had or whether their account was public or private. This meant even users with a handful of followers could broadcast live content to their audience at any time.
With the implementation of this new policy, users who do not meet the requirements will now receive an automated message when attempting to start a Live video, informing them of the missing criteria. The notification will also include a link to the updated guidelines, offering further information on how to gain access.
This change brings Instagram's Live policy in line with that of TikTok, which also requires a minimum of 1,000 followers to initiate a Live session. In contrast, YouTube sets a lower threshold—only requiring 50 subscribers for mobile livestreaming, making it more accessible to smaller creators.
A personal test confirmed the policy is already in effect. When attempting to go Live from an account with only 200 followers, a message appeared indicating that the account didn’t meet the eligibility requirements. The alert included a prompt to access the new Live eligibility rules.
This move appears to be part of Instagram’s broader effort to promote safety and content moderation on the platform by limiting Live broadcasting to users with a certain level of visibility and engagement.
In Rwanda, where Instagram is growing in popularity, the change is already active, impacting both influencers and casual users. The update means that anyone who wishes to engage followers through Live video must not only grow their audience but also ensure their account is publicly accessible.
For now, the message is clear: if you want to go Live on Instagram, your account must be public and have at least 1,000 followers.
