Instagram’s New 1,000-Follower Requirement to Go Live Sparks Backlash From Small Creators

Instagram has officially rolled out a significant policy change that will impact millions of its users, especially small creators: only accounts with at least 1000 followers and a public profile are now eligible to go live on the platform. The social media giant confirmed the update to TechCrunch, marking a stark shift from its previous stance that allowed any user — public or private — to use the Live feature, regardless of follower count.

Instagram’s 1000 followers rule has sparked widespread frustration across social media, with small creators and casual users expressing their discontent. Many feel blindsided by the abrupt restriction, which they argue disproportionately affects budding influencers, hobbyists, and everyday users who enjoyed casual live sessions with friends.

Users attempting to go live without meeting the new threshold are now greeted with a message: “We changed requirements to use this feature. Only public accounts with 1000 followers or more will be able to create live videos.”

For small creators striving to build an audience from scratch, this update feels like a roadblock. Many have taken to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram Stories, urging the company to reconsider the decision, fearing it will widen the gap between established influencers and those just starting out.

The move aligns Instagram’s Live feature more closely with TikTok, which also enforces a 1,000-follower minimum to unlock live streaming. In contrast, YouTube remains more accessible, requiring just 50 subscribers for livestreaming eligibility.

Meta’s Instagram Live policy change

While Instagram (owned by Meta) hasn’t publicly detailed the exact reasoning behind the change, industry experts speculate it’s a combination of quality control and cost management. By limiting live broadcasting to accounts with larger followings, Instagram could reduce the number of low-engagement streams that dilute the platform’s live content experience. Additionally, hosting live streams is an expensive operation. Curbing access for smaller accounts could significantly cut infrastructure costs for Meta, especially given the surge in live content over recent years.

“This change seems aimed at refining the Live viewing experience, ensuring that broadcasts have a minimum level of audience engagement,” said a social media strategist on X. “But it’s a double-edged sword — it could discourage new creators from sticking around long enough to grow.”

However, the decision has reignited concerns over platform gatekeeping. Instagram’s Smaller creators argue that features like Live should be tools for audience-building, not rewards reserved for those who’ve already reached a specific follower milestone.

For now, Instagram appears to be standing firm on the update. Whether or not the backlash will prompt a policy reconsideration remains to be seen.