Instagram now offers Live Producer access for professional accounts, enabling high-quality live streaming using custom RTMP. This feature allows the use of advanced streaming setups beyond mobile phone capabilities.
Understanding Instagram Live Producer
Instagram Live Producer allows streaming via a custom RTMP, similar to platforms like Twitch and YouTube Live. This feature is a significant shift from the traditional mobile-only live streaming on Instagram, enabling the use of professional cameras and microphones.
Setting Up for Instagram Live Streaming
To stream on Instagram using Mevo Camera, follow these steps:
- Ensure your Instagram account is set to a professional account, as personal accounts cannot access stream keys.
How to set Instagram account to a professional account.
To set your Instagram account to professional go to your profile and tap in the upper right corner. Choose Settings and privacy, then Account type and tools. Choose Switch to professional account and tap Continue. Select a category, then click Done followed by OK to confirm. Choose Business or Creator, then click Next and add your contact information or choose Don’t use my contact info. Optionally connect your Facebook account to your Instagram account. You can continue with additional optional steps or tap X to return to your profile.
- Log in to Instagram.com from a desktop browser and navigate to your home page.
- Click 'Create' then choose 'Live video'.
- Set your stream title and visibility to Public.
- Note the Stream URL and Stream key provided by Instagram.
Do NOT close this popup or browser window even after going live!
Configuring Mevo Camera for Instagram Streaming
Follow these steps to set up your Mevo Camera for streaming to Instagram:
- Open the Mevo app and tap the red button in the live edit view.
- Under 'Streaming Destinations', select 'RTMP'.
- Tap '+New RTMP' to add Instagram as a new destination.
- Enter a unique name for your streaming destination, the RTMP URL, and Stream Key from Instagram.
- Once added, select the Instagram RTMP destination in the Mevo app.
- When ready, tap 'Go Live' to start streaming on Instagram.
Note: Instagram requires a new stream key for each live session, so you will need to update this in the Mevo app each time you stream.
Interacting with Your Audience
While streaming, use the Instagram browser view to interact with your chat and receive notifications about viewer engagement.
Publishing Your VODs
Instagram automatically saves VODs from your live streams for 30 days. You can choose which ones to publish from the 'Archive' section in your Instagram profile.