Instagram has implemented a new policy that users require at least 1,000 followers and a public account to use its live-streaming feature. This change, confirmed by the social network for techcrunch, marks a significant change from the previous policies, where any user can live live regardless of their follower count or account type. The decision is likely to influence small creators and everyday users, who enjoyed live-streaming with friends.

A notice that appears to users affected by change suggests: “We have changed the requirements to use this feature. Public accounts with only 1,000 followers or more will be able to create live videos.” This update has created dissatisfaction among users, many of which have taken voice to their concerns on social media and request the reversal of the decision.

This step brings the live-streaming feature of Instagram to its competitive ticket, which also makes the following threshold compulsory for live-streaming access. In contrast, platforms such as YouTube allow users to go live with 50 customers. While Instagram has not clearly stated the argument behind the new rule, it seems to increase the quality of live broadcast and reduce the costs associated with lower-business currents.

By applying this minimum follower requirement, Instagram can try to ensure that live streams are of high quality, as they will probably come from users who have already done an important following farming. This can potentially improve the overall experience for the audience by filtering the less attractive material.

This decision may be economically motivated for Meta, Instagram’s original company Mata. Since livestreaming can be expensive, restricting access to those with enough audiences can help reduce expenses related to supporting several small scale broadcasting. Additionally, the move can be seen as a strategic alignment with other social media platforms, with similar thresholds, making the live-streaming landscape standardized.

While changes can increase the quality of live material, it can also prevent the creativity and development of emerging creators that are still building their followers base. This has criticized users who feel that the policy incorrectly damages new or small accounts.

Despite the backlash, Instagram has not indicated any plan to withdraw the policy. Users who try to go live without the required followers count will face new sanctions, possibly motivate them to work towards the expansion of their audience. It can encourage users to engage more actively with their followers, promoting a more vibrant community.

As a digital landscape develops, platforms such as Instagram continue to refine their policies to balance the user’s satisfaction with economic ideas. This latest change highlights the ongoing challenge of managing platform resources while catering for a diverse user base. As social media increases, such policies can be more common because platforms try to maintain quality and manage costs effectively.