Technology

Instagram to allow users to livestream with three others

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Instagram is launching a “Live Rooms” feature that will allow users to livestream with up to three people.

Instagram’s announcement on Monday builds on the platform’s existing feature that allows users to livestream with only one other person at a time. 

“This update is another step forward in giving creators more ways to reach and interact with their audiences,” Instagram said in the announcement.

Live Rooms will be available soon for users globally, the company said. 

Users who start livestreaming on the app will be able to tap a “Rooms” icon to add guests. Users will see people who have requested to go live with them, as well as be able to search for users to add. 

“We want Instagram to be the best place for creators to have meaningful conversations with their audiences and each other, and we designed this new update with safety in mind,” Instagram said. 

Users that are blocked by any participant in the Live Room will not be able to join the room. Users that have had live access revoked because of violating the app’s guidelines will also not be able to join. 

Live Rooms will have the existing features Instagram has in place for live hosts to report and block comments, as all we apply comment filters. 

The Live Rooms will also allow users to purchase “badges” during streams, expanding on the feature Instagram launched in May. The feature lets users buy a badge that remains next to their name during the stream and support the Instagram creator hosting the livestream. 

In Live Rooms, users will also be able to use interactive features such as “Shopping” and “Live Fundraisers.” 

Other social media platforms are also exploring monetization features. 

Twitter last week unveiled plans for a “Super Follows” feature that would allow users to charge followers for access to exclusive content.

–Updated at 11:44 a.m.