Instagram users must have a public account and at least 1000 followers to be able to go live, the platform confirmed to TechCrunch. Until now, anyone was allowed to use the live option, regardless of follower count or account status.
The change is harmful for creators who have fewer than 1000 followers, but also for ordinary users who were making 'live' videos for no particular reason.
Users who do not meet the criteria and attempt to create a live video will see a message telling them that their account can no longer create live videos. “We changed the criteria for this option. Only public accounts with 1000 followers or more can create live videos,” the message continues.
Users are expressing their dissatisfaction on social media and demanding that the change be reversed.
Even on TikTok, users must have at least 1000 followers to make 'live' videos. On YouTube, channels must have a minimum of 50 subscribers.
Although the company did not give a specific reason, it said the change is intended to improve the overall consumer experience.
This could also be a way for Meta to save money. Since streaming these videos costs money, the company may have decided not to support videos that only have a handful of viewers.
(AA/BalkanWeb)
