🎉Update 2023
Instagram recently updated its platform, allowing people to use third-party live streaming software to live stream on Instagram. Right now, it is limited access, and they are slowly rolling it out. No worries, you can check if you can access the Instagram Live Producer on a desktop computer.
Topics covered:
- Checking Access to Instagram Live Producer
- Grabbing the Instagram Stream URL and Key
- Adding Instagram as a destination into Switchboard Cloud
- Multistreaming from Switchboard Cloud to Instagram and other destinations
- Ending the live stream
- Instagram Live Producer recommendations and resources
Check if you have Access to Instagram Live Producer
To check if you have access, you'll need to log into your Instagram account on a web browser.
Open instagram.com.
Click the "Add post" button (plus the symbol inside a square).
If you see "Live" as an option, 🎉 it means you can access Instagram Live Producer.
Select "Live" from the dropdown menu.
A window will open, allowing you to create a stream title, and select the audience.
Type the stream title in the field.
Public: Everyone can view the broadcast
Practice: For your eyes only, a great way to test how Instagram Live producer works.
Click Next.
A new window will open with the streaming details for your Instagram Account.
Next, you'll go back and forth between Instagram Live producer and Switchboard Cloud as you copy and paste the Instagram stream key into Switchboard Cloud.
Add Instagram as a Destination in Switchboard Cloud.
Click the plus icon at the bottom of the Switchboard Cloud destination group.
Select New Destination.
Choose Instagram from the pop-up window.
Copy the Instagram Stream Key and Paste it into the stream key field in Switchboard.
Give the destination a name.
Click Save.
Keep the browser tab open.
Live Streaming on Instagram
Set up the live streaming broadcast and send the video into your Switchboard Cloud.
When the video shows on the Switchboard Confidence monitor, click the go live button next to Instagram and other destinations.
Verify the video looks good on the Instagram preview window, then click Go Live.
You'll be multistreaming to all of your destinations, including Instagram Live.
👉🏽 Keep the Instagram Live Browser open during the entire live broadcast; otherwise, the video may end on the Instagram Live producer.
Ending the Live Stream on Instagram
Instagram suggests ending the live stream on their platform first, then on the live streaming software.
Click the End Video button on Instagram, Switchboard Cloud, and finally, on your live streaming software.
Instagram will ask if you want to delete or keep the live video.
Just close the web browser without selecting one of the options.
The next time you live stream to Instagram, you'll need to open Instagram Live Producer first to grab the new stream key.
Instagram Live Producer Tips
Keep Browser open
Keep the Instagram Live producer browser open during the live stream; closing it may end the live stream on Instagram.
Dynamic Instagram Steam Key
Each broadcast creates a new unique stream key. You'll need to open Instagram Producer before each broadcast to get the new stream key.
Archive Live video
Live videos are automatically deleted at the end of the broadcast.
Update Instagram settings to archive the live video so you can access and download it in the future. You must enable the archive live video feature from the Instagram mobile app, before the live broadcast.
Enable Archive Live video
On the mobile app, click the Plus icon, choose live, and click the cog icon on the top right.
Click Live, and toggle the archive button to blue.
Access to archived videos is available only on the Instagram mobile app.
Click the three horizontal button top right.
Select the Archive option.
Click on the top to open the archive menu.
Select Live video to view archived live video.
Recommended Settings for Instagram Live Producer
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
Check out the Instagram Blog to learn more info about the Instagram Live Producer.
Good Luck!