Instagram's Live Streaming Policy: What Marketers Need to Know in 2026
Instagram Live has changed significantly over the past year, and the rules now directly affect who can stream and how. If you're planning a live strategy for a brand or creator account, here's what's actually in place right now. The 1,000-follower threshold The biggest shift: Instagram now requires accounts to have at least 1,000 followers before they can go live, a rule introduced in August 2025 to cut down on spam and improve stream quality. Accounts also need to be public — private accounts, regardless of follower count, can't access the feature. This is a real change in philosophy. Previously, anyone could broadcast live regardless of audience size; now smaller accounts are locked out until they clear that threshold organically. Other eligibility requirements Account age: Standard mobile broadcasts require an account to be at least 30 days old, a safeguard against spam and an effort to ensure a more authentic user base. Good standing: Accounts must not be fl...