Instagram is busy making their social media service focus directly on video formats. Recently they reportedly will be posting all video broadcasts to Reels. Instagram is also busy making their platform more like TikTok, like scrolling on a timeline vertically non -stop.
Wanting to focus more on video content, Instagram now allows users to stream live directly through a web application on the desktop. So far, live streaming can only be done via Android or iOS apps - now it’s expanding to desktops to work more like other live streaming services like Twitch or YouTube.
Instagram offers Instagram Live Producer production tools, which allow users to have more control such as using additional cameras, audio from an external microphone, adding graphics such as titles, text animation transitions, or continue to use in conjunction with OBS or Streamlabs software.
Here are the recommended live streaming formats;
Video format
Video ratio 9:16 (optional, but encouraged)
720p @ 30fps (30fps recommended, 60fps can be used but the display on the editing tool will display 30fps (bug))
Resolution: 720 x 1280
Video bit rate: 2,250-6,000 Kbps
Alternative (supported, but not recommended): 480p @ 30fps, 360p
Audio format (a standard format used by many OBS software)
Sample rate: 44.1 kHz
Audio channel: Stereo
Bit rate: Reaches up to 256 Kbps
To use Instagram Live Producer, press the Add post icon “+”, select Live in the dropdown menu, on the Go live screen enter the streaming title, select the audience, press Next to get the special URL and stream key - and enter the stream key into the streaming software.
This feature is still in the testing phase and has not been distributed to all.