Instagram Introduces Multi-Person Streaming Live Rooms Like a Kind of Video Clubhouse
Instagram has launched a new feature called Live Rooms enabling up to four people to broadcast at the same time. The video live stream with its “stage” and “audience” design is reminiscent of the increasingly popular social audio platforms like Clubhouse, but with video and opportunities for streamers to monetize their audience.
Instagram Live Rooms
Instagram has offered live-streaming before, but only two people at a time, so Live Rooms doubles the presenter numbers immediately. Those running the live stream can also bring in some money by selling the digital badges Instagram released last year. Viewers can buy the badges as a way to support whoever they are watching, and those running the stream are more likely to notice them when they comment. The creators can also offer additional digital recognition to badge-holders, such as putting their name on a public list of supporters and unique “hearts” to send during a stream.
“We hope that doubling up on Live will open up more creative opportunities — start a talk show, host a jam session or co-create with other artists, host more engaging Q&As or tutorials with your following, or just hang out with more of your friends,” Instagram explained in an announcement. “This update is another step forward in giving creators more ways to reach and interact with their audiences. Live Rooms will soon be available globally for everyone on Instagram.”
Social Audio and Video
Starting a Live Room is similar to starting any live stream, with the added ability to title the room and add guests to stream with you. Audience members can be added either by invite or accepting people asking to join. Those requesting to join can be added as a group or individually if you want to space out who appears on the screen. All of the followers of the people streaming get notified about the Live Room and invited to join. As a safety measure, no one blocked by any of the participants in the Live Room can join it.
It’s all very familiar to those who use Clubhouse or other social audio platforms like Quilt or Twitter Spaces. The video aspect and the relatively restrained number of simultaneous speakers make Live Rooms unique at the moment, but the core concept is largely the same in terms of creating casual interactions between creators and fans or just among a group of friends.
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