Instagram is launching its Live Rooms.
The feature allows four people to video chat during a live broadcast, compared to the previous limit of two people. Instagram’s blog post says it hopes the feature encourages people to start a “show or a podcast”, “host a jam session” or collaborate with other creators.
Going live with more people means the rooms could attract larger audiences. The followers of everyone participating will see the live room and, depending on their notifications, be pinged about it. (Anyone blocked by the active participants won’t be able to join the live, though.)
This could be compared to Clubhouse; which is a social audio app that lets people go live in rooms. More than 10 people can speak simultaneously, and rooms can reach up to 8,000 people before they’re full. But unlike Clubhouse, Instagram Live requires people to be on-camera, which comes with the pressure of looking good. Still, Live Rooms will likely perform well on the platform.
