How to go live w someone on instagram


How to Go Live on Instagram by Yourself or With a Guest

  • You can go live on Instagram by scrolling to the "Live" tab on the "New Post" page. 
  • When you're live, all your followers will be notified and can view your live video in real time.
  • You can also go live together with a friend, or request to join a friend's live video.

Instagram launched its live video feature in late 2016. Since then, the social media company has built up the function by adding other features like questions and the option to add friends to the live video, too. 

Going live on Instagram can be a fun way to let your followers see events happening in real time, like a concert or special event. 

Here's how to go live, go live with a friend, or request to join another user's live video.  

How to go live on Instagram

1. Open the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android. 

2. Tap the plus sign "+" icon in the top-right corner of the homepage. Alternatively, you can swipe left to get to the same screen. 

Click the plus sign icon or swipe left. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

3. After tapping the plus sign or swiping left, you'll be taken to a New Post page. In the menu bar at the bottom of the page, swipe all the way to the right to select Live

Select Live. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

4. A camera screen will open up. On the left side, tap the icon of four lines to add a title to your live video. You can also tap the icon of a circle with a heart in it to make your video a fundraiser. 

Customize your live video. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

5. When you're ready to go live, tap the circle icon at the bottom of the screen and you'll be live. Active followers will be notified that you're now live. As followers begin to watch your live video, you will see their usernames appear at the bottom. 

Click the circle icon to go live. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

6. To end a live video, tap the "X" in the top-right corner and select End Now in the pop-up. Once the live video has ended, Instagram will show you how many people viewed your video and give you the option to share the video for the next 24 hours so those who missed it can see it via your Instagram Stories. Or, you can choose to Delete video.

Click the X in the top-right corner. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

How to go live on Instagram with a guest 

1. Open the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android. 

2. Tap the plus sign "+" icon in the top-right corner of the homepage. Alternatively, you can swipe left to get to the same screen.

3. After tapping the plus sign or swiping left, you'll be taken to a New Post page. In the menu bar at the bottom of the page, swipe all the way to the right to select Live

4. A camera screen will open up. On the left side, tap the icon of four lines to add a title to your live video. You can also tap the icon of a circle with a heart in it to make your video a fundraiser. 

5. When you're ready to go live, tap the circle icon at the bottom of the screen and you'll be live.

6. Once you're live, tap the icon of a video camera at the bottom of the screen. From here, you can type in the username of someone to go live with, or search for them in the list of viewers. Select a user to invite them to join your live video. 

Click the video camera icon. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

7. You can only go live with someone who is already watching your live video. But, you can invite someone to join your live video who isn't already watching — to do so, type in their username, tap the circle button next to their name, and select Send Request.

Send a request to your guest and go live in a room. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

8. Once they've accepted your request, their video should appear alongside yours in a split screen. To remove your friend from the Live video, tap the "X" at the top-right of their screen. 

9. To end your live video, tap the "X" in the upper right-hand corner and choose End Now in the pop-up. Once the live video has ended, Instagram will show you how many people viewed your video and give you the option to share the video for the next 24 hours so those who missed it can see it via your Instagram Stories. Or, you can choose to Delete video.

Note: To use Instagram's Live Rooms feature for creators, you can follow this same process to add multiple guests. 

How to request to be in another user's live video on Instagram 

1. Open another user's live video and tap Request to join.

2. Then, tap Send request to request to be in their live video.  

3. You will then receive a notification letting you know if your request has been accepted or denied. 

Meira Gebel

Meira Gebel is a freelance reporter based in Portland, Oregon. She writes about business, culture, and technology for Insider. Her work has been featured in Digital Trends, Willamette Week, USA Today, and more. She is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School and San Francisco State University.  Feel free to reach out to her on Twitter, where she can be found most of the time, @MeiraGebel.

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How to go live on Instagram, stream with guests & join other lives

  ❘   Published: 2022-01-24T17:31:04

  ❘   Updated: 2022-01-24T17:31:04

Throughout Instagram are various creators live streaming videos to their fans. Here’s everything we know about how to live stream on your own Instagram account. 

Instagram launched its own in-app live-streaming feature in 2016. Since then, the Meta-owned image-sharing app has built up the functionality with other features like questions and the ability to co-stream with your friends.

Much like how users go live on other apps like Twitch and TikTok, Instagram’s live video streaming provides a fun way to interact with your community in real-time.

Here’s how to go live on Instagram, including how to go live with a friend or request to join another user’s live stream.

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How to go live on Instagram

  1. Open the Instagram app on your Android or iOS device.
  2. Tap the “+” sign in the top right corner of the home page. Alternatively, you can access the same screen by swiping left.
  3. This will open the New Post page. In the menu bar at the bottom, swipe right until you can select Live.
  4. After the camera screen opens, you can tap on the four lines located on the left side to add a title or tap the heart underneath it to make your video a fundraiser.
  5. Tap the circle button at the bottom to go live. Active followers will be notified, and when they tune in, their names will appear on your screen.
  6. To end a live video, tap the “X” in the top-right corner and select End Now in the pop-up.

After the app ends the video, Instagram will show you how many people viewed your stream. You’ll also have the option to either share the video or delete it entirely.

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How to go live on Instagram with a guest

  1. Repeat steps 1-5 above for going live by yourself.
  2. Once you’re live, tap the icon of a video camera at the bottom of the screen. Search for the user you wish to invite, tap on their name and they will join your live video.
  3. To end the stream, tap the “X” in the top right corner and select End Now in the pop-up.

The default invite list is based on users who are watching your live stream.

  • Read More: Boxing star Ryan Garcia responds to Bryce Hall’s fight offer with 20-second bet

However, Instagram does offer the ability to search for users who are not watching and will send a request to them.

How to request to be in another user’s live video

  1. Open another user’s live video and tap Request to join – then tap Send Request in the pop-up.
  2. You will receive a notification letting you know if your request has been accepted or denied.

There’s everything we know regarding how to go live on the image-sharing social media app. For more tips and tricks for Instagram, check out our other guides.

How to go live on Instagram: step by step instructions Instagram Live

Contents

What is Instagram Live - live broadcasts.

Advantages of live streaming

What should be done before the broadcast?

How to go live on Instagram

How followers see your live on Instagram

Popular formats of broadcasts on Instagram to promote goods and services

Highlights of the live broadcast

Conclusion about live broadcasts on Instagram

Many people know that Instagram has live broadcasts or Instagram Live. But few people understand that a live broadcast can be not just a way to tell how your day went or show how you “shop” in a shopping center, but also an effective sales tool.

Instagram Live has many advantages, and we will talk about them in this article. We will also show a detailed guide on launching and further interaction with live broadcasts on Instagram. Go...


What is Instagram Live - live broadcasts.

Back in 2017, Instagram joined the ranks of advanced applications and launched the live broadcast function - real-time video broadcasts. This tool is located in the Stories section. It makes it possible not only to communicate directly with your subscribers, but also to broadcast together with another Instagram user. Live broadcast time limit - up to 4 hours.

Pluses of live broadcasts:

  • are launched directly from the Instagram mobile app. No additional equipment needed. Ether can be launched at any time;
  • your followers see the live stream in Stories in the first place. Stories of other accounts are displayed after your broadcast, as usual, in chronological order;
  • at the start of a live broadcast - subscribers receive a notification about this;
  • commercial accounts use ethers to tell some unique information, which is then not always saved or duplicated. Therefore, subscribers get the impression that they can only benefit at the time of broadcast, or they will be the first to receive up-to-date information;
  • live broadcast can be saved in your account in the "Video" section.
  • regular broadcasts increase reach as Instagram promotes its service and shows them in recommendations;
  • broadcast statistics are easy to track: after the end of the broadcast, you will automatically be shown the number of your viewers.

See also IGTV review on Instagram: how to use it to promote a business?


What should I do before the broadcast?

A good commercial air is obtained only when you prepare for it. Before going live on Instagram, take care of the following:

  • Theme and scenario of the broadcast. What will you talk about, what questions will you answer, what will be in the frame. Most importantly, always keep in mind the purpose of your broadcast.

  • Broadcast announcement. Tell your subscribers about the upcoming broadcast in advance. Announcements need to be made several times: a week before the broadcast, a day before, and day-to-day. To make video communication as useful as possible, conduct a survey among subscribers in advance, find out their preferred topic. Then they won't miss it.

  • Broadcast format. Select the broadcast format (more on formats later in the article).

  • Smartphone technical preparation. Just in case, we check that the Instagram application has access to your camera and microphone on your phone. You will also need free space on your device if you decide to download the broadcast to your phone.

  • Air settings in the application. You can hide the video from some subscribers, prevent the video from being shared or replies to messages. You can even "Hide offensive comments" that Instagram recognizes itself.

  • Preparing location and angle. You give quality to a picture of an ether! What will be in the frame: your face, product, switching plans, background. Everything matters, therefore, think over where you will sit, from what angle to shoot, what will be behind your back (there are awkwardness here).

How to go live on Instagram

In order to go live on Instagram from your phone, click on the "Create" button in the upper right corner. Then select "Ether" from the menu. Before starting the broadcast, we recommend that you immediately add a title so that subscribers who connect to the broadcast after it starts will immediately understand the topic.

Launch of live broadcast

In the live camera settings, available by pressing the "gear", you can:

  • Allow broadcast reposts;
  • Hide live broadcast from individual users;
  • Set up automatic saving of air to the archive;
  • Set up automatic use of the front camera;
  • Select how the toolbar is displayed.

Live camera settings

Before starting the broadcast, we recommend adding a title and using other settings options.

Adding a Live Header

For example, if you use the "Audience" - "Training" option, you can start the broadcast in test mode. This is a great feature to prepare for the broadcast, check the lighting, the quality of the picture and the Internet, set up the camera, rehearse the speech.

Audience selection in live settings

You can also schedule a live broadcast for a specific date and time.

Live broadcast planning

To start the video broadcast, click on the button in the center and the broadcast starts.

Congratulations, you are live :)

Functions available during live TV

During the broadcast, the following functionality is available to you: the ability to write a comment (1), requests to join the broadcast from other users (2), invite a guest to broadcast (3), a window with questions from subscribers (4), the ability to send a live broadcast to your subscribers (5), select and apply a mask (6), switch camera (7), mute video (8), mute microphone (9), show users photos and videos live (10), end live broadcast (11).

Window with questions from viewers

Sending an invitation to broadcast to your subscribers

Adding photo/video to the air

To end the broadcast, click on the cross in the upper right corner.

End window live

We confirm - "Finish" and Instagram offers several options:

  • View broadcast statistics.
  • Watch the broadcast in the archive of live broadcasts. The video will be saved on Instagram.
  • Do not save video.

Choice of options after live broadcast ends

After selecting the option "Watch live in the live archive" you will be prompted to save the video.

Save live

After saving, the broadcast will appear in the "Video" section on your page.

Saved live broadcast in the Video section

How followers see your Instagram Live

An automatic notification is sent to your subscribers when a broadcast starts. In Stories, they immediately see the ether. If this is a joint broadcast, there will be two icons at once.


Live broadcast button

When a subscriber turns on your live broadcast on his phone, he sees it like this:


Watch live TV

Subscribers can send quick reactions (1) or write comments and ask questions (2), share your broadcast (3) and like (4).

Also, the "Submit a request to participate in live" window automatically pops up with the "Become a guest" button. If you agreed in advance with the owner of the broadcast, then you press the button and the broadcast becomes joint, in the format of an interview. Although, a joint broadcast is not always planned, for example, as in the case of Nastyushka Ivleeva, who accidentally stumbled upon Jared Leto live. Important: only two users can participate in a video broadcast.


Random joint broadcast of Nastya Ivleeva and Jared Leto

And you can watch the broadcast on the desktop in the browser. To do this, log in with your account on the instagram.com website and go to your feed or the profile of the author who will broadcast live. You will see a note that the broadcast is already on.


Active live tag

This is what broadcast looks like from the desktop:


Viewing live broadcast on a desktop device

Popular formats of broadcasts on Instagram to promote goods and services

Question and answer

Collect the pains of your subscribers in advance and, live, answer their questions. You can collect questions in the comments under posts or post special Stories with a question box. During the broadcast, it is not always possible to follow all the comments and questions. In order not to miss anyone, ask participants to duplicate questions in Direct if they remain unanswered.

Interview

This format implies a joint broadcast of two profiles. It looks like a question-answer, only the questions are answered not by you personally, but by the guest, he is the expert whom you invited. Usually, they invite professionals from industries related to your business. This revitalizes subscribers and causes them additional interest in your company. For example, if you have an exclusively female audience, you sell children's products or professional online courses for women, a psychologist, nutritionist, or cosmetologist can become a guest of your broadcast.

Backstage or backstage

Show the life of the company from the inside. An online tour of the production or a live picture of how you sew shoes, cook cakes. So subscribers will not only immerse themselves in your field, but also appreciate the reality and stability of your company.

Master class

Only the laziest sloth does not watch master classes. For you, this is an opportunity to show expertise and attract a new audience: how to assemble a kitchen or make a design project in a 3D moderator. In the end, look at what your colleagues (they are competitors) offer.

By the way, third-party services are now working that allow you to download other people's saved broadcasts to a computer or phone.

Live highlights

  • Not all users are in time for the very beginning of the broadcast, so during the broadcast, remind about the topic. Also indicate the title of the broadcast.
  • During the broadcast, users write comments and questions. You can pin any comment or attach a sticker with a question from Stories to clearly show what is being said now.
  • Don't ignore comments. Choose your message handling option:
    • respond immediately;
    • at the beginning of the broadcast, comment on when and how you will answer questions and, of course, fulfill your promise;
    • during the broadcast, ask to duplicate unanswered questions in Direct.
  • If you want not all subscribers to see the broadcast, you can make a restriction in the account settings in the "Privacy" - "Live" tab. You're just hiding the story from certain followers.


Live access restriction settings

You can also immediately hide offensive comments and phrases.


Setting up comments and hiding insults

Conclusion about live broadcasts on Instagram

In 2022, and in subsequent years, it is important and necessary to use live broadcasts to promote your idea. This is a good feedback from your target audience, and an increase in brand loyalty, and an increase in the reach of your target audience as a whole.

See also How to promote Instagram yourself from scratch: detailed instructions

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How to go live on Instagram with someone?

How to go live on Instagram with someone?

Live is a chance for an Instagram user to show himself real and sincere, to communicate with the audience on a topic of interest, answer questions from subscribers and get instant feedback. To diversify the process, you can go live with a friend.

You can join someone else's broadcast or start your own by inviting someone to keep you company. How to do it? We will show you two ways to start a joint broadcast. On iOS or Android, the steps will be similar.

The initiator of the broadcast is you

  • Touch the camera icon at the top left or make a swipe (moving your finger from left to right across the screen). A panel for selecting the shooting mode will open in front of you. To the left of the Normal you will find the Live Stream option. Click on it.

  • You will see how many subscribers are online and ready to see your broadcast. Click the Start Live Broadcast button.

  • Now click on the icon with two emoticons next to the comment input field and select the name of a person from the list of those who are already watching your broadcast. You can't call someone offline.

  • As soon as the recipient accepts your invitation to broadcast, the display will be divided into two parts. If your friend rejects the offer to join the conversation in real time, you will know about it.

  • At any time of communication, you can remove the interlocutor from the air of Instagram. To do this, touch the cross on the right side of the screen with its image. Your broadcast, your rules.

You want to become a member of someone else's broadcast

  • Enter the view mode and touch the button Request to join live.
  • Click Submit Request. If a person is enthusiastic about your desire to become a conversation partner, he will confirm the request, and you can spend time with him and your followers, discussing something important or just fooling around.
  • If you are denied access to the air, you will receive a notification about this.
  • At any second of the broadcast, you have the right to leave the air. After the end, each participant can save the broadcast in stories or delete it.

In case your friend went live with one of his friends, you will see the broadcast icon with two circles on the story panel.


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