Anyone who’s ever done an Instagram Live will know the prep behind it, making sure everything is just right: lighting, volume, Internet connection, the works. I do not count myself amongst these creators, but I can imagine it’s a stressful enough process for those that do.
Instagram is changing this, though, and helping its dedicated Live creators out. A flock of new features are coming to the app, allowing a shift in how Live is used.
For one thing, creators can now schedule their upcoming Live sessions up to 90 days prior to the event. They can also tell their followers that a Live is coming up, allowing them to keep fans in the loop and have them ready to join in on whatever surprises the Live holds.
Next (and, I would assume, possibly the best news) is an additional feature called “Practice Mode”. With this, creators can apparently check their connection before a Live commences, as well as getting a glimpse at the lighting and overall surroundings of the imminent video.
The adjustments may speak to Instagram’s larger motivations. Adam Mosseri, the head of the app, recently told its users and the world that Instagram is “no long just a square-photo sharing app.” He went on to announce that the platform will work on building and improving four key areas: creators, video, shopping, and messaging.
With these new Live features, they’re certainly catering to creators. And for the rest of us (especially the camera-shy), it just means a lot more content may be coming our way.
