Instagram announced that it is adding a much-requested feature to its app with the launch of “Live Rooms,” which allow up to four people to broadcast live together at the same time.
Instagram’s blog post on Monday said that it hopes the feature encourages people to start a ‘talk show or a podcast’, host a ‘jam session’, or collaborate with other creators. This also means that now the live rooms can also attract larger audiences. The followers of everyone participating will see the live room and, depending on their notifications, be pinged about it, though the ones blocked won’t be able to join the live.
The company says it hopes Live Rooms will open up more creative opportunities in terms of live broadcast formats to allow for things like live talk shows, expanded Q&A’s or interviews, jam sessions for musicians, live shopping experiences and more.
As per The Verge, Instagram Live requires people to be on-camera, which comes with the added pressure of looking good and being in a photogenic environment.
To start a Live Room, you’ll swipe left and select the Live camera option, then title the Room and tap the Room icon to add guests. Here, you’ll see a list of people who’ve already requested to go live with you and you’ll be able to search for other guests to add.
Last year, in the early days of the COVID-19 crisis, Instagram introduced badges as a way for fans to support their favorite creators during a live video. Once purchased, the badges appear next to a fan’s name throughout the live video, helping them to stand out in the comments and unlock other special features, like placement on the creator’s list of badge holders and access to a special heart.
