Instagram Live Now Restricted: New Rules You Need to Know in 2025

Instagram has recently introduced new limitations on its Live feature, which is now only available to select users based on certain eligibility criteria. This move, aimed at making the platform safer and more streamlined, especially for young users and small accounts, has stirred quite a buzz online.

As of August 2025, Instagram Live can only be accessed by accounts that meet two conditions: the account must be public and must have at least 1,000 followers. Users who don’t meet these requirements will now see an alert saying that their account is no longer eligible to go Live. This update is a significant change from previous rules when any user, regardless of follower count, could broadcast live content.

In addition to this, Instagram has tightened controls for teenage users. Accounts of users under the age of 16 are now automatically restricted from using the Live feature. Even in countries like the U.S., U.K., and Australia, teens will require explicit parental consent before they can start a Live session. Meta, Instagram’s parent company, states that this is part of broader safety efforts to protect minors from online risks.

From a technical standpoint, Instagram Live still allows streams of up to 4 hours in duration. It also supports Live Rooms, where up to four people can participate in a single stream. However, features like tipping, monetization, and enhanced analytics are still limited compared to platforms like YouTube Live or Twitch.

The decision to impose these restrictions is seen by many as a step toward reducing spam, misinformation, and low-quality content on the platform. It also encourages creators to grow their audience and become more professional with their content.

For casual users or new creators, this means finding alternative ways to engage, such as using Reels, Stories, or collaborative posts, until they reach the required follower milestone.

As Instagram evolves, users are urged to stay updated with the latest changes to continue building meaningful interactions and content strategies on the platform.