Meta-owned Instagram has changed its policy to now allow a user to initiate Live video broadcasts only if they have a public account with a minimum of 1,000 followers. This change was first reported by TechCrunch and Instagram has also updated its Help Centre to reflect this change.
Earlier, the Live feature was universally accessible irrespective of follower count or account privacy. "Only Instagram users who have a public account with 1,000 followers or more will be able to initiate a live video," Instagram notes on its Help Centre page.
Why the Sudden Change?
Meta has not provided an official rationale for the update. However, we can speculate that placing a follower threshold helps reduce underutilized streams, potentially cutting infrastructure expenses and also preventing misuse.
Second, the restriction may act as a quality filter. Limiting Live access to accounts with established followings could improve the overall viewing experience by reducing low-engagement or low-quality broadcasts and mitigating misuse from spam or bot-operated users.
Instagram’s 1,000-follower requirement marks a strategic shift toward professionalizing its Live ecosystem, favoring accounts with larger followings and stronger content engagement. While the move may elevate broadcast quality and operational efficiency, it’s already sparking frustration among smaller creators and everyday users who value the inclusive, spontaneous nature of Instagram Live.
