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How Do You Go Live on Instagram? The Ultimate Instagram Live Guide

Posted on 19th Jun, 2025.

TL;DR (The Short Version)

Going live on Instagram allows you to interact more directly with your audience.
There are no follower limits to stream on Instagram live.
You can go on live via the Stories feature.
Read on for more tips on going live!

While you probably know all about stories and posts, there's one Instagram feature that's lesser-known, but can be even more effective for engagement, especially if you're looking to build a loyal following. Going live does what it says on the tin - you speak to your followers live and direct, and viewers can only access the live while it's happening.

Whether you're a small business owner, an influencer, or someone looking to engage with friends and followers, going live can help you build community and simply entertain. But if you've never gone live before, the process can seem a little daunting. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to go live on Instagram with confidence.

What is Instagram Live?

Instagram Live is a feature within Instagram Stories that allows users to broadcast video in real time to their followers. When you go live, your followers receive a notification and can join your broadcast to watch, comment, and interact with you as it happens, or, it shows up as an option in the Stories section of your feed.

Unlike pre-recorded content, Instagram Live gives you the chance to be spontaneous, authentic, and engaging. You can respond to comments as they appear, invite guests to join your stream, and even save the video for others to watch later. While lives should be authentic, natural, and somewhat spontaneous, it's worth planning or at least coming up with talking points to make sure the video stays on track.

Why Use Instagram Live?

There are several good reasons to use Instagram Live, especially as a budding creator, including:

Real-time engagement: Interact directly with followers and answer their questions on the spot.

Visibility: Live videos often appear at the front of the Stories feed, giving them prime visibility.

Authenticity: Live content tends to be more relaxed and genuine, which can build trust and loyalty.

Versatility: Use it for tutorials, Q&A sessions, product launches, behind-the-scenes looks, or interviews.

How to Go Live on Instagram: Step-by-Step

Here’s how to start your Instagram Live broadcast:

Open Instagram: Launch the app and go to your home screen.
Swipe right or tap the camera icon in the top left corner to open the Stories camera.
At the bottom of the screen, scroll through the options until you find Live.
Once you’re ready, tap the Go Live button. Instagram will check your connection and start the broadcast.

That’s it. You’re live!

Tips for Going Live

If it's your first time going live, you probably want a few tips and tricks for making it work. After all, successful lives can attract new followers and make you closer to your existing ones, so it's important that you smash it.

Plan Your Content

Even though live video is spontaneous by nature, having a basic outline can help you stay focused. Think about the purpose of your broadcast. Are you launching a product? Hosting a Q&A? Giving a tour? Write down a few key points or questions you want to cover and keep them close for best results.

Choose a Good Location

Lighting and sound quality can make or break your live stream. Try to go live in a well-lit, quiet environment. Natural light works best, but a ring light can be a great alternative. It's also crucial to make sure your phone is steady, using a tripod if needed.

Engage With Your Audience

Welcome people as they join and encourage them to ask questions or leave comments. Responding in real time shows you value their input and keeps the broadcast lively, plus, it can create a greater connection between you and your audience.

Invite a Guest

You can invite someone to join your live broadcast. Just tap the two-face icon and choose a viewer to go live with. This is great for interviews, co-hosting, or collaborative sessions, and is especially effective if you invite another well-known creator. You can either invite people to join, or others can request to join, which you can accept or decline.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many followers do you need to go live on Instagram?

You don't need a minimum number of followers to go live on Instagram. Anyone with an Instagram account can use the Live feature, regardless of their follower count, which is great news for aspiring creators with a low current follower count. However, certain advanced features like monetisation tools (e.g., badges) or scheduling Lives might only be available to accounts that meet specific eligibility criteria.

How do you start a live video?

To start a live video on Instagram, follow these simple steps:

Open the Instagram app and go to your home screen.
Tap the plus (+) icon at the bottom centre or swipe right from your feed to open the camera.
Scroll across the bottom options until you find Live.
You’ll see a preview of your camera. When you’re ready, tap the Go Live button.
Instagram will check your connection and then start your live broadcast.

Is Instagram live only for followers?

While your Instagram live will only appear on the feed of your followers, who can see it depends on your privacy settings. If your account is public, anyone who finds your profile can watch your live broadcast, not just followers. If your account is private, this will be restricted to followers.

Launching Instagram lives can allow you to create a more informal environment between you and your audience, as well as giving you the opportunity to answer their questions directly. Going live may feel intimidating at first, but with a bit of planning and practice, you’ll quickly get the hang of it. Remember to stay authentic, interact with viewers, and have fun. Your followers will appreciate the chance to connect with you in real time.