Ultra.
Instagram recently announced that creators now have the option to go live to their Close Friends only. Similarly to creating a Private live stream on YouTube, live streaming to this select group of followers on Instagram can create a more intimate and personal experience for you and your followers. Many creators have been patiently waiting for the day that streaming to Close Friends became an option, and now, the time is here.
Whether you’re posting stories or going live, having the option to share with a Close Friend list only is perfect for personal moments or exclusive content. In this blog, we will help you understand how to set up your Close Friends and go live with them only.
Building a Close Friends List
When creating your close friends, it’s important to establish criteria for who belongs on the close friends list. Is it your closest friends in real life? Or your most engaged followers? Consider who a Close Friend is on Instagram and only add those people. To live stream to your close friends, you first need to create the Close Friends list—here’s how:
- Open the Instagram app and navigate to your profile.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
- Select Close Friends and proceed to add the accounts you wish to include. Then press Done to save your changes.
Starting a Live Stream with Close Friends
After setting up your Close Friends list, follow these steps to go live to your Close Friends only from your mobile device or skip down for steps to go live with Streamlabs Desktop:
- Open Instagram and swipe right to access the camera.
- Select the Live option from the bottom navigation menu.
- Before starting your live stream, choose Close Friends from the Share With dropdown menu to ensure only those on your list can view the stream.
- Add a title to your stream and tap the live streaming icon to go live.
- Now, everyone on your Close Friends list will be notified that you are live and can watch and interact with you in real time on stream.
Note: If you’re planning on going live to your Close Friends from a computer using Instagram Live Producer and streaming software such as Streamlabs Desktop, the steps are similar to streaming from your phone.
- Go to Instagram.com and log into your account.
- Once logged in, click the Create button in the left navigation panel, then select Live Video.
- Add a title, change your audience to Close Friends, and click Next.
- On the next screen, gather your stream URL and stream key to put in Streamlabs Desktop or your streaming software of choice.
To go live from your computer, you will need to add Instagram as an RTMP destination in your streaming software. - Go live from Streamlabs Desktop, return back to Instagram.com, then click Go Live from there, as well.
To learn more about going live on Instagram from a computer, be sure to check out our guide. FYI, you can similarly go live on Instagram using a web browser with streaming software such as Talk Studio.
Quick Tips for Hosting Close Friends Live Stream
Choose a topic: Select content that is relevant and interesting to your Close Friends. Make sure that it feels exclusive to your Close Friends list, but don’t divulge any information that you wouldn’t want to spread if someone in your Close Friends were to casually mention it in another setting.
Promote your live stream: Use Instagram stories to inform your Close Friends about the upcoming live session. Remember to select the Close Friends option when sharing stories related to your forthcoming live stream.
Alternatively, you can promote to all your followers, enticing them to want to be part of your close friends (specifically if there is an opportunity for them to join at some point in the future).
Be your authentic self: Whether you’re engaging with your close friends or your full follower list, you should always show up as your authentic self on Instagram and in any other online space. Let your personality shine through to create a genuine connection with your audience, especially those in your close friends.
Live streaming to close friends on Instagram is an excellent way to create a more personal and private experience, allowing you to connect with a selected audience. By following these steps and tips, you can ensure a successful and engaging Close Friends live stream.
