Less than 1,000 followers? Too bad, you can no longer go LIVE on Instagram

Have you tried going LIVE on Instagram recently and noticed the button is missing? You are not alone.

Instagram has quietly changed how LIVE works. From now on, only users who have at least 1,000 followers and a public account can start a LIVE video.

“Your account is no longer eligible for LIVE. We have changed the requirements to use this feature,” Instagram said in its official announcement.

Instagram has also updated its Help Centre to reflect this rule, confirming that LIVE is now restricted to public accounts with 1,000 followers or more.

So yes, the change is real and already in place.

Instagram LIVE: What has changed?

Until recently, anyone could go LIVE on Instagram. Whether you had 50 followers or 5,000, the LIVE feature was available. It gave people a chance to connect in real time, whether through Q&A sessions, quick tutorials, casual chats, or product demos.

But with the new rule, if your account has fewer than 1,000 followers, the option to go LIVE is gone. You can still use Stories, Reels, and posts, but they don’t offer the same real-time interaction or spontaneous reach.

Why has Instagram done this?

There’s no detailed explanation from Instagram or Meta, but there are some likely reasons.

LIVE streaming uses more technical resources. It takes up more server space and bandwidth than static posts or even Stories. By limiting LIVE access to larger accounts, Instagram may be managing its infrastructure more efficiently.

There is also the challenge of moderation. LIVE content is harder to monitor in real time. This change may help reduce misuse of the feature, including spam, scams, and inappropriate broadcasts.

What does this mean for creators in India?

For many small creators in India, this feels like a major setback. From home chefs and craft sellers to independent musicians and teachers, LIVE has been a useful tool to reach audiences without spending money on ads.

In cities like Jaipur, Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, and many others, creators have used LIVE to speak directly to followers in their local language and build a close-knit community.

But a lot of these creators are still growing. They may not have 1,000 followers yet, and now one of their most interactive tools is out of reach.

This rule puts pressure on creators to grow faster and shifts the platform further towards follower-based access rather than creativity or intent.

What happens next?

Instagram hasn’t said whether this rule is permanent. But for now, the only way to go LIVE is to hit the 1,000-follower mark and keep your account public.

Some users might see this as a step toward cleaner content or fewer fake Lives. But for many creators, especially those just starting out, it feels like yet another tool being taken away.

It’s a reminder that social media platforms are becoming less about accessibility and more about numbers. And for small voices trying to grow organically, that can feel like a closed door.

Sci/Tech