How to Go Live on Instagram

Instagram Live is one of the most effective tools for connecting with your audience in real-time. Whether you want to promote a product, engage with followers, or simply share moments, going live helps build authentic relationships and boost visibility. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to go live on Instagram and how to make the most of your broadcasts.

What Is Instagram Live and Why Use It?

Instagram Live allows users to broadcast video content in real-time directly from the Instagram app. Your followers get notified when you go live, making it a great way to interact instantly, answer questions, and build deeper connections.

The Basics of Instagram Live

Instagram Live is a built-in feature available on both personal and professional accounts. It streams video directly to your followers and lets them comment or react in real-time. Lives appear at the front of the Stories feed, giving you maximum visibility while you’re broadcasting.

Why Brands and Creators Go Live

Many businesses and influencers use Instagram Live to:

Launch new products or services
Host Q&A sessions with followers
Offer behind-the-scenes access
Collaborate with other creators or guests
Run live tutorials or workshops

Benefits of Going Live for Engagement

Going live provides several measurable benefits:

Real-Time Interaction: Respond to questions and comments instantly.
Higher Visibility: Lives appear first in the Stories bar.
Trust Building: Viewers get to see the authentic, unedited version of you.
Increased Reach: Your followers get notified the moment you go live.

The table below highlights how Instagram Live compares to other common Instagram content formats:

Feature	Instagram Live	Stories	Reels	Posts
Real-time interaction	Yes	No	No	No
Duration	Up to 4 hours	24 hrs	90 sec	Permanent
Viewer notifications	Yes	No	No	No
Comment feature	Yes	No	No	Yes

How to Go Live on Instagram Step by Step

Going live on Instagram is easier than you think. Whether you prefer using your phone or computer, here’s exactly how to start a livestream and connect with your audience.

How to Go Live Using the Mobile App

Follow these updated steps to start your Instagram Live from your smartphone:

Open the Instagram app.
Swipe left from the main feed screen to access the camera interface.
At the bottom, slide the options until you see Live.
Tap Live, adjust your title or settings if needed.
Tap the circular button to start your live broadcast.

Your followers will be notified instantly, and you can interact with them in real time.

How to Invite Guests to Your Instagram Live

Bringing guests into your livestream boosts engagement and creates a more dynamic broadcast. To invite someone:

Start your live video.
Tap the “two smiley faces” icon at the bottom of the screen.
Select the guest from the list of viewers or send them an invite.

Once accepted, their video feed will appear alongside yours.

How to Go Live on Instagram from a PC

If you want a more professional setup using your computer, follow these steps:

Make sure you have a professional Instagram account.
Use a streaming software like OBS or Riverside.
Access your Instagram Live Stream Key from your account settings.
Enter the Stream Key into your software and start broadcasting.

This method is ideal for webinars, workshops, or studio-quality streams.

How to Stream to Multiple Platforms at the Same Time

To maximize your reach, many creators stream to Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook simultaneously. This requires multistreaming tools like StreamYard or Restream. Simply:

Connect your Instagram account and other platforms.
Configure your live settings.
Start your broadcast across all selected platforms at once.

Saving or Downloading Your Live Stream

After your live session ends, you can:

Save the video to your device.
Share it to your Instagram profile as a Replay.
Download the recording for editing or repurposing later.

This lets you extend the value of your live content beyond the real-time experience.

Tips to Improve Your Instagram Live

Want your Instagram Live to look professional and keep your viewers engaged? These proven tips will help you deliver better, more effective live broadcasts.

Prepare Your Equipment and Setup

Good preparation makes a huge difference. Before you go live:

Use a tripod or stable phone stand.
Clean your camera lens.
Test your internet connection for stability.
Check lighting and sound quality.

A clear, steady video with good audio instantly boosts viewer experience.

Engage With Viewers During the Stream

Interaction keeps your audience watching longer. During your live:

Greet viewers by name as they join.
Answer questions in real-time.
Ask for opinions using polls or emoji reactions.
Encourage viewers to share the live with friends.

The more interactive your session, the stronger the connection you build.

Promote Your Instagram Live in Advance

Don’t rely solely on notifications. To maximize attendance:

Share teaser posts or Stories leading up to your live.
Pin a countdown sticker to your Story.
Announce the live on other platforms like Facebook or Twitter.

Early promotion builds anticipation and reminds followers to tune in.

Best Practices for Managing Comments

Moderating your comments ensures a positive atmosphere. Here’s how to stay in control:

Assign a trusted moderator if possible.
Use Instagram’s “Comment Filter” to hide offensive words.
Pin important comments to highlight key messages.
Mute or block disruptive viewers when necessary.

This keeps your stream welcoming and focused.

Mistakes to Avoid When Going Live

To keep your live smooth and professional, avoid these common errors:

Starting without testing your internet connection.
Ignoring viewer questions or comments.
Going live without a clear topic or plan.
Overcomplicating your technical setup.
Forgetting to save or repurpose your live after it ends.

With these simple steps, your Instagram Live sessions will become more polished, engaging, and enjoyable for your audience.

How to Get More Viewers on Instagram Live

Struggling to grow your Instagram Live audience? These proven strategies can help attract more viewers and keep them engaged.

Use Hashtags and Location Tags

Hashtags and location tags increase your discoverability. Before going live:

Add relevant hashtags in your caption or comments.
Use your current location tag if applicable.
Stick to niche-specific and trending hashtags.

This simple step ensures your live can appear in Instagram’s Explore and location-based search results.

Collaborate With Other Creators

Going live with other creators exposes you to their audience too. To collaborate effectively:

Invite someone in your niche or industry.
Plan a joint topic that interests both audiences.
Promote the live session together in advance.

Collaborations naturally boost your reach and engagement.

Share Your Live Stream to Stories and Reels

After finishing your live, don’t let it disappear. Repurpose it by:

Posting highlights to your Stories.
Creating short clips for Reels.
Mentioning the key moments in a post.

This keeps your content circulating and gives new followers a chance to engage, even if they missed the live. For some users, if Instagram live isn’t working properly, these repurposing methods help maintain audience connection until the issue is resolved.

Analyze Your Live Performance After the Stream

Post-stream analysis helps you improve. Check Instagram’s insights to review:

Metric	What to Look For
Total Viewers	Track audience size over time.
Peak Live Viewers	See when viewership was highest.
Engagement (comments, likes)	Measure how interactive your session was.
Retention Time	Understand how long viewers stayed.

Learning from these numbers ensures your next Instagram Live performs even better.