Enjoy the best live streaming experience possible on Instagram.
Instagram Live creators are no longer restricted to streaming from the mobile app. Now, anyone with a professional Instagram account* can go live on Instagram using Yostream or any other streaming software.
First go to Instagram from your computer and sign in to your account. Then, select the Create button from the menu options on the left, then click Live video from the drop-down menu.
Now, add your Title and choose your Audience. A Practice stream will only be seen by you, and a Public stream will be seen by all your followers. Then click Next.
Copy the Stream URL and Stream Key.
Now, head over to Yostream, go to Connect Accounts page and then click Custom Destination.
Now, add the copied Stream URL and Stream Key and give the destination a meaningful name.
Now head over to dashboard and click Start with Studio.
Choose your mic and camera inputs, and provide a username. Only then you'll be able to click Join Room.
After entering the Yostream Studio, click Go Live. You can see, the Instagram account has been successfully connected via Custom RTMP.
Select the square box of Instagram. Click Start Broadcast to start streaming on Instagram.
Now head back over to the Instagram tab. Your video will appear in the Preview section on Instagram to the left of the RTMP details. Check to make sure your video and audio are coming in ok.
Once you've confirmed everything looks good, make sure to mute your Instagram tab. This is to prevent echo from occurring when audio from your preview feed on Instagram gets picked up by your mic and sent back into Yostream. Right-click up on the Instagram tab, then click Mute tab or Mute site.
You can then click Go live on Instagram, to begin streaming!
Once your live stream is finished, click End Live Video on Instagram and End Broadcast in Yostream.
Will I be able to see Instagram comments in Yostream while streaming?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to see comments inside your Yostream studio when using Instagram Live. In order to see comments, you would need to keep the stream window open on Instagram to see them directly there.
Does Yostream stream vertical video (9:16 layout)?
No, Yostream does not stream vertical video at this time. All streams are in a 16:9 horizontal (widescreen) format. We are currently working to support 9:16 layout.
Will my followers be notified that I am live if I am streaming to Instagram from Yostream?
Yes. Your followers will get notifications that you are live!
What happens if I stop broadcast from Yostream, but forget to end it on Instagram's end?
If you end your stream from Yostream, but don't end it on Instagram, it will automatically end by itself after 4 minutes.
Do I need a new Instagram Stream Key and URL for each stream?
Yes, you need a new stream key and URL for each stream on Instagram. Stream keys expire five hours after you first access them. So don’t copy your stream key until right before you go live.
Why is my stream not appearing on Instagram?
It may be possible you are using an old or incorrect stream key or stream URL. Double check your stream key for typos, or try refreshing Instagram and setting up the stream again to generate a new stream key.
I can't see my stream when I check my Instagram account on mobile.
Don't worry, this is by design. You can check if you are live in your preview (Instagram tab) – you should see the account names of viewers joining the stream and their chats. If you want to view your stream on a mobile device, you need to log in with a different account. Using the same account that is currently streaming may disrupt your broadcast.
Can I mute the stream on Instagram's end to prevent echo?
At this time, Instagram does not offer the option to mute your stream on their end. Instead, right click up on the Instagram tab and click "Mute tab" or "Mute site" to mute the tab and prevent echo.
What happens if I close out of the Instagram tab while streaming?
If you close out of the Instagram tab while you are live, the stream will end immediately on Instagram's end. When you visit Instagram again, you will need to connect it to Yostream again, using a new stream key.
Why did my stream to Instagram show an error after an hour?
Instagram currently has placed a 1 hour limit on live streams.
Is live streaming on Instagram free?
No, currently streaming to Instagram is only supported from Basic Plan onwards. If you're currently on Free Plan, consider upgrading your Yostream account