Instagram Live Producer

Disclaimer: Live Producer is limited access at this time.

How do I go live on Instagram using streaming software?

Instagram Live Producer will allow you to go live on Instagram using streaming software (OBS, Streamlabs, etc.) through a stream key. This integration opens up production features outside the traditional phone camera, including additional cameras, external microphones and graphics. This feature is only available on instagram.com.

Tech requirements

Before broadcasting live with streaming software, make sure that your video meets the following specifications. Learn more about setting up streaming software.

Our recommended settings have been tested to optimize quality and experience for viewers on many devices and networks:

Video format

• 9x16 aspect ratio (recommended but not required)
• 720p @ 30 fps (note: 30 fps is recommended, but Live Producer can also support 60 fps if desired. When using 60 fps, the Live Producer preview screen will still display 30 fps. This is normal and we are currently investigating how to correct this.)
  • Resolution: 720x1280
  • Video bitrate range: 2,250–6,000 Kbps
  • Alternatives (supported but not recommended): 480p @ 30 fps, 360p

Audio format – the settings below are the default for most streaming platforms, including OBS:

• Sample rate: 44.1 KHz
• Channel layout: Stereo
• Bit rate: up to 256 Kbps

Setup

1. Select which streaming software you’ll be using for your event. (Examples include Streamlabs, OBS and Streamyard.)
2. Open your streaming software interface and locate where to input your URL and stream key.
   
   The URL and stream key (see below for more details) will allow you to broadcast your streaming software setup directly to Instagram Live.
3. Open instagram.com and click the “Add post” button (plus symbol inside a square) and select “Live” from the dropdown menu.
4. Within the “Go live” screen, enter the title of your live video and select your audience: “Practice” will not broadcast to anyone and “Public” will broadcast to your followers as a normal live video would.
   
   
5. You will then see a screen that contains your unique URL and stream key, with instructions on how to use them.
   
   You have the option to either copy the stream key or reset it in the event you need a new one. Note: The stream key is not static, and will refresh each time you use Live Producer.
   
   

Streaming to Instagram Live

1. Within your streaming software, use your URL and stream key to add Instagram Live as your streaming endpoint.
   
   Note: Instagram Live will need to be added as a “Custom RTMP”. Selecting Custom RTMP will allow you to add a URL and stream key. The location of where to input a custom RTMP differs between platforms, but most often can be found in stream settings.
2. Once you’ve set up your stream to look how you want, start it on your streaming software. Within the Live Producer viewer on instagram.com, you’ll see a preview of what your stream will look like on Instagram Live. The Live Producer preview should mirror what you’ve set up on the streaming software. The preview can take a few seconds to display in the preview screen.
3. Once you’ve seen and confirmed your preview, click “Go live” within Live Producer to start the stream. Once live, the “Comments” tab will let you read and respond to comments from viewers.
4. When you want to end the live video, click “End live video”.
   
   

NOTE: If you end your stream in the streaming software before you end your Live Producer broadcast, the live video will continue while displaying the last frame received from the streaming software. In order to end your live video smoothly, end the broadcast on Live Producer first before ending the stream on the streaming software.

Comment management

1. Once live, the “Comments” tab will let you read and respond to comments from viewers.
2. Clicking a comment will toggle a menu with the following options:
   • “Report”, which will flag the comment for inappropriate behavior.
   • “Pin comment”, which will keep the comment at the top of the feed. You can remove a pinned comment by clicking the “X” to the right.

Saving your post live video VOD

You can view, share and download your completed broadcast within the Live Archive. To access the Live Archive:

1. While on your profile tap the menu (3 horizontal lines) button in the top right corner.
2. Within this menu, tap the Archive button.
3. Tap the dropdown at the top of the screen and switch from “Stories Archive” to “Live Archive.”
4. You will then see your past completed live videos and be able to share to Instagram or download to your device.